“The limit is not in the sky. The limit is the mind.” Those with limited mindsets will work within their limits and stay within the comfort zones that allow them to feel contentment with a sense of conformity. But pushing our minds beyond their own limits can give us an indescribable sense of joy by…
Tag: Development
Names of the different parts of a karate gi
Keikogi (稽古着), or dogi (道着), is a uniform for training in Japanese martial arts and their derivatives. (Keiko means practice, gi means dress or clothes.) The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro. Japanese martial arts historian Dave Lowry speculates Kano derived…
Once learned never forgotten
“If you want to be skilled at karate, do what skilled karate people do: train each day! If you get into the habit of daily training, you will surprise yourself with how much progress you can make.” Tatsuya Naka 7th dan Shotokan JKA. I often get asked “how can I improve my karate?” The answer…
Belief
As instructors and teachers, the most important, and rewarding part of our work is to recognize the vast potential within our students and to help them see it within themselves, and then support them in reaching that potential.. Looking towards the future with positive expectations is a powerful force on the present, as it affects…
Loyalty
“Some people aren’t loyal to you…. They are loyal to their NEED of you….Once their needs change, so does their loyalty.” Loyalty is a very important aspect in any relationship but especially so in the martial arts between a student, their instructor and their dojo. Trust and true loyalty take years to build and loyalty…
Revenge
Ever wanted to get revenge? You know that “letting go” is probably the healthiest move right, but wanting revenge is often much more appealing. It all starts with our nature, since humans are protective beings, especially when we feel threatened; “If what we care about ….. is harmed or threatened in any way, it is…
Rank Will Not Protect You
In a situation where you need to defend yourself, it is your skills, not your rank, that will protect you. Prevention is the best self-defense. Attackers, whatever their objectives, are looking for unsuspecting, vulnerable targets. Be aware of your surroundings, avoiding confrontation. If you can defuse a situation (talk someone down from physically…
When I teach I’m not trying to convince you of anything.
“When I teach I’m not trying to convince you of anything. Karate is not a religion, it doesn’t need to be defended. I’m simply presenting the information. What you do with that is entirely up to you.” ~ Jesse Enkamp . Great words by Jesse Enkamp ?? . . The ability to influence a student successfully…
You must become a great student
To become a martial arts master, or at the very least a great teacher, you must first become a great student. . You must take responsibility for your own learning and actively pursue knowledge and experience. . Recently I asked a black belt instructor from another ‘style’ to come train with us. He had the…
Karate has many stances; it also has none.
“Karate has many stances; it also has none”. Genwa Nakasone wrote explaining Gichin Funakoshi’s 17th precept; ”Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai”. (Fixed positions are for beginners: later, one moves naturally) . So there are no stances in karate? . A common complaint about karate, and its kata, is that the stances are impractical–that…
Your sensei taught you everything you know…
“Your sensei may seem old and frail. Keep in mind, he taught you everything you know…… but not everything he knows.” . Prince Loeffler Shugyokan Dojo Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu . . “A teacher is never a giver of truth; he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for himself.”…
Don’t let style limit your karate.
“Don’t let style limit your karate.” ~ Jesse Enkamp There’s a multitude of martial arts styles out there, some originating from China, others are Okinawan, Japanese or from Korea. One comment that I often hear is …..“my style of karate is the best style.” . It’s essential to define what people mean by “best”. I’m…