Dojo

Navigating Ignorance and Driving Blind: Martial Arts Lessons from the Road.

(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Personally, I believe that some instructors are unknowingly teaching in the wrong context or teaching ineffective techniques. This issue isn’t just about ignorance – it’s about people who, overestimate their competence. . We all know about the McDojo, but there’s another problem: instructors who, often unknowingly, create a dangerous

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The Cultural Clash in the Dojo: The Hidden Customs Within the Martial Arts – Do Students Want It?

(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) One of my friends recently posted a video asking his students “what was karate for?”. Without exception, all of them said self-defense. If this is the case then are the cultural aspects of traditional karate irrelevant? . Many traditional martial arts schools offer more than just self-defense and fighting

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It’s Like a Finger Pointing to the Moon: Don’t Focus on ‘Saying OSU!’ or You’ll Miss All That Heavenly Glory.

(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) “Osu”, a term I have written about before, used often by some and bemoaned by others, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. For many, it symbolizes perseverance, respect, or acknowledgment, and it’s often used as a greeting, a response to an instruction, or even as a show of enthusiasm. .

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The Courage to Ask: Breaking the Silence and Finding Value in Questions During Training.

(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Respect for your teacher is paramount and following instructions are instilled from day one. But does this culture of respect sometimes stifle learning? Could unwavering reverence prevent students from fully understanding what they’re taught? . I bring this up because, when I started training in 1974 under a Japanese

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In every challenge that age brings, we find the opportunity to redefine strength – not as brute force, but as the clarity of thought and spirit.

(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, I had a conversation with one of my senior students. Both of us are in our sixties now, reflecting on what happens when time begins to slow us down. As martial artists, we know that no amount of training can stop the effects of aging. We’ve gained wisdom

In every challenge that age brings, we find the opportunity to redefine strength – not as brute force, but as the clarity of thought and spirit. Read More »

Resistance is NOT Futile: Facing Reality – Showing, Preparing, and Practicing Resistance in Your Training.

(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) There is so much phony self-defense out there: demonstrations in which a defender successfully intercepts an attack – a punch, a kick, or a knife stab – and then “destroys” the attacker with ease. . The defense just wouldn’t work against anyone other than a cooperating partner – and

Resistance is NOT Futile: Facing Reality – Showing, Preparing, and Practicing Resistance in Your Training. Read More »