“Everyone has a goal. Whether that is to become a world champion or not doesn’t really matter. Although your goal may often look hard to achieve at first, if you continually make efforts toward your goal, then your time, energy and commitment will never have been wasted. So, keep it up as much as you…
Tag: Dojo
Kata, IS the heart of karate.
“We must be careful not to overlook the fact that kata, and the body positions that comprises them, are just templates of sort; it is their application in combat which needs to be mastered.” – Motobu Choki (1870-1944) . The term “bunkai” (分解), meaning ‘disassembly’, does not refer to a technique of any kind. It…
The Dojo. The place of the way.
In all professions and skills, there’s a certain point you reach after many years of work or dedicated training, when thoughts of going it alone come in to your mind. . Starting a new dojo is exhilarating. A world of possibility awaits, including the possibilities of incredible success…. or catastrophic failure. . There is…
“In life, we follow the principles to not commit mistakes…… In fighting it’s the same.”
“In life, we follow the principles to not commit mistakes…… In fighting it’s the same.” – Lyoto Machida . . One of my golden rules has always been; once learned never forgotten. Out of respect to my teachers and my instructors. They never had to teach me the same thing twice. . It amazes me…
“Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.“
Hard work always pays dividends. The amount of effort expended to reach a goal determines what you achieve. There are those however, who like to take shortcuts. . The poor work ethic shows in how you see life. It also shows in how you treat others, and the conditions of life you expect from them….
The journey doesn’t end……
“There are many people around the world who are good at ‘kata’. There are many people who are strong in ‘kumite’. Instead of strong or weak, or good or poor, I think it is meaningful to work hard.” – Akihito Yagi 8th dan Meibukan Goju Ryu . (I believe that Yagi sensei was inferring that…
Are traditional martial arts dying?
Are traditional martial arts dying? . Most martial arts were created at a specific period in time in ancient history to protect its practitioners from a civilian, non-consensual attack. Times have changed to a point where some martial arts training is no longer practical for today’s world. There are many martial artists who are unaware…
It’s not how much you know that counts, but how much you can recall under stress.
It’s not how much you know that counts, but how much you can recall under stress. . Most effective self-protection practitioners, have a ‘main toolkit’ which gives them something they can use in most situations, plus a larger collection of more specialized techniques that they may use if the right circumstances present themselves. . It…
Are there “cults” in the martial arts?
Are there “cults” in the martial arts? . I regularly have interactions with people who refer to their style or school as the strongest or the best, a genuine fighting style. They insist their style or school is authentic, and that it follows a lineage back to the creator of that style. It led me…
Does every martial art teach respect and discipline?
Does every martial art teach respect and discipline? . Something that most people do not realize is that the discipline and respect that comes from martial arts, does not come from the style they train in, but the teacher they have. . In martial arts, students will develop those virtues because their teacher is good…
Is there a blind adherence to tradition in the martial arts?
“I like practicing and teaching karate to others – especially teaching the people who think they can’t succeed when I can see that they can.” – Morio Higaonna 10th dan Goju Ryu . Is there a blind adherence to tradition in the martial arts? . In Okinawa, the traditional martial arts still have their cultural…
Is a high IQ a requisite for martial arts skills?
Is a high IQ a requisite for martial arts skills? . In my opinion (we all have one), it only matters for the most elite, which is probably irrelevant for over 95% of martial arts practitioners. . Determination, discipline, and “just doing it”, outweighs IQ to most people in modern society practicing martial arts. ….