(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) If you teach, you’ve probably noticed the difference between the student who can’t get enough and the one who’s just… well, there. Some people walk into the dojo full of enthusiasm and want to absorb everything they possibly can. . Others go through the motions and never quite seem…
Tag: Children
Why Are We Still Doing Step-Kumite? Prearranged and Pointless?
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Many of the comments and messages I receive about the continued use of step-kumite – which I’m against practicing – still leave me with the same questions. . Why punch, block, punch, block – moving backwards and forwards in a prearranged manner, with no basis in reality? . I’ve…
The Warrior Within: Quiet Strength, Ready When Needed.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Some people look like they were born fighters. Of course they’re not – but it feels that way when you see how they step forward while others shrink back. . That’s the warrior within – something you either have or you don’t. . For those of you who aren’t…
Self-Defense Isn’t a Game: Time to Get Real.
(2 minute 5 second read) Self-defense isn’t just about you – it could be about protecting those who rely on you. . My last article sparked another round of debate – no surprise there. It was apparently shared to another page without my knowing and the comments went wild there too. That happens. What doesn’t…
If You Think Fighting Is Self-Defense, Think Again: Can You Protect Someone Without Fighting?
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) This is a follow-up to my recent article about fighting and self-defense – mainly because, based on the comments, it’s clear many people misunderstood the point. So let’s clear a few things up. . The fear of an attack can make many people want to fight back immediately. But…
Building Lasting Skill: The Uncomfortable Truth – Effort Pays Off.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I’ve been writing articles for a few years now. And it never fails to amaze me when someone comments: “So many words.” . Reading – it’s one of the first things we’re taught. Yet these days, spending even two minutes reading something that might teach you something is too…
Show Up: The Mat’s Here for You, But You Walk Your Own Path.
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) There comes a point in teaching where you stop chasing people. You realize that the ones who want it will turn up, and the ones who don’t – won’t. That’s not harsh. It’s just how it is. . I’ve had students disappear for months, then return expecting to pick…
Practice Makes Permanent: Train It Right from the Start.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) “Practice makes perfect.” How many times have you heard that to motivate you? . The problem is, the phrase isn’t quite right. Practice doesn’t make perfect. It makes permanent. . It should really be: Perfect practice makes perfect. . Karate is known for its repetition. How often have you…
Why Learning to ‘Fight’ Isn’t the First Lesson in Self-Defense.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I was asked recently if I could help a new mother learn some self-defense. . She has a six-month-old child and she has no prior martial arts experience. On top of that, she’s working as well – so her days are full, her sleep is broken, and time for…
Is Your Self-Defense Training Real? Finding Authentic Self-Protection.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Someone asked me, “How do you spot real, effective training – from the kind that’s not? How can you know the difference, especially if you’re training hard?” . You see it everywhere these days, a dojo on every street corner and in every strip mall, many of them have…
Recreation or Reality? Self-Protection – It’s Still About Getting Home Safely.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Self-defense has always really been about one thing: getting home safely. Even if we go back to the early days of Okinawa, that was the goal. It wasn’t about fighting or consensual dueling. . Karate, or its predecessor, was never created for sport or for testing yourself toe-to-toe. It…
If It’s Not Real, Why Are You Teaching It? Tradition Isn’t an Excuse for Ineffective Teaching.
Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Kata, kihon, and two-person drills are part of the language of karate. But none of these should be practiced in isolation or merely for tradition. They should all have a connection – each part serving a purpose, forming a blueprint for learning how to deal with violence. If it…