Dojo

“Kata were never meant to ‘teach’ us anything but rather to culminate the lessons we should have already learned in two-person practice.”

(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Recently, a comment on one of my articles challenged the notion that kata originated from two-person drills, asserting that “there is no evidence” to support this claim. . This critic argued that kata were devised independently and later had practical applications extracted from them. However, this viewpoint overlooks critical

“Kata were never meant to ‘teach’ us anything but rather to culminate the lessons we should have already learned in two-person practice.” Read More »

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”

(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) Why are people so afraid of learning something new or different? Even if you’ve been doing something one particular way for years, there might be a different or better way. Wouldn’t it be interesting and great to discover and learn that? Why are so many people adamant that the

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” Read More »

Kata is not merely a sequence of movements; it’s a timeless link to the wisdom of pioneering masters.

(Approx 2 minute 32 second read) Kata is often viewed as outdated, irrelevant, and, from many comments I receive, totally misunderstood. . It’s important to remember that kata were created in a time without social media, video, hardly any photography, and no books or artwork on the subject. . Most teachings occurred behind closed doors

Kata is not merely a sequence of movements; it’s a timeless link to the wisdom of pioneering masters. Read More »

A knife wound can change your life in an instant. Traditional dojo training may not be enough.

(Approx 2 minute read) Defense against knife attacks is a sobering topic, very few instructors have substantial experience with this type of violence, making it a complex and challenging topic. . Most techniques taught in martial arts classes come from instructors who have never used them in real-life scenarios. . To adopt realistic methods of

A knife wound can change your life in an instant. Traditional dojo training may not be enough. Read More »

Karate’s Missing Link: The Legacy of Tegumi and Its Relevance to Self-Defense Today.

(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) In the early to mid-1950s, when karate started to spread globally, the emphasis was heavily skewed towards striking and blocking techniques. . Many of the early Western instructors, who had spent varying amounts of time learning from their Japanese and Okinawan teachers, had a wide range of experiences. Some

Karate’s Missing Link: The Legacy of Tegumi and Its Relevance to Self-Defense Today. Read More »

“…..the ways of thrusting and blocking – that is to say, the techniques of attack and defense – have innumerable variations.”

(Approx 2 minutes 10 second read) One of the first things you learn as a beginner is a ‘block’. . Typically, it’s one of these: upper, middle inner, middle outer, or a down block. . You spend a significant amount of time practicing these blocks, focusing on the small details, making sure your pulling hand

“…..the ways of thrusting and blocking – that is to say, the techniques of attack and defense – have innumerable variations.” Read More »

温故知新 On Ko Chi Shin — “Study the old, understand the new.”

(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Within the structured world of the martial arts, a practitioner’s journey extends beyond expertise in techniques. It’s also about cultivating a personal expression – a unique blend of technical proficiency and individual interpretation. . This pursuit of one’s “martial voice” isn’t a rejection of established forms, but rather a

温故知新 On Ko Chi Shin — “Study the old, understand the new.” Read More »