Driving past a martial arts school yesterday, I noticed some of the students leaving – children barely three or four years old. . Personally, I have never taught children this young. In my opinion, karate for this age group is little more than structured play and games. If this is your income source and it…
Tag: Children
Beyond Fighting: Building Safety Before Darkness Arrives.
(Approx 2 minute read) It’s interesting that in my articles about self-protection or self-defense, several comments suggest that many people simply don’t need it. . For clarity, in this article I use “self-protection” to describe all the measures we take to stay safe – awareness, avoidance, preparation, and mindset. “Self-defense” refers more specifically to the…
Educating the Ignorant (That Would Be Me): Apparently, I Need to Be Educated.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Apparently, I need to “be educated”. . The saga about step-kumite will not leave me alone, it seems. Another high-ranking instructor from a well-known association sent me a Facebook message to tell me how wrong I am because, wait for it… step-kumite was never designed to be effective (in…
No Meaning? The Pinan Kata – A Complete Fighting System, Not Children’s Play.
(Approx 2 minute 55 second read) The comments section on my articles reveals quite a bit about people’s knowledge, sometimes the lack of it, their dogma, and sometimes, just a way to put across an opinion. . It’s all good, but when a comment is wide of the mark it gives me impetus to write…
Building on Fundamentals: Why Withholding Techniques Until Black Belt Fails Students.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) A comment on one of my recent articles said that they don’t train throws in karate until students reach black belt. Really? Why? . I’ve never understood this mentality as a teacher. I’ve been teaching a long time, both in martial arts and outside of it. If I only…
Beyond the One Right Way: Avoiding Bad Habits in Karate.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) I get quite a few comments and messages from people who insist that their technique is the answer to a punch, a grab, or any other kind of attack. . Their way is the right way – the only way – and they often go into lengthy explanations about…
When Students Leave: Teaching and Letting Go – Some Stay, Some Leave, Reflections on the Path of Teaching.
(Approx 2 minute read) In the martial arts, a few students will stay with their teacher for what seems like forever, and those relationships become rare treasures. But many will leave, sometimes suddenly, sometimes gradually, and that too is part of the journey. Both paths carry value, and both shape what it means to teach….
“If anything deserves our protection, it is the authenticity of the art, not the vanity of those who claim to own it.”
(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…
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…