Fighting

Five Steps to Nowhere? The Hidden Flaw in Traditional Five Step Sparring.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 26 second read) Punch, block, punch, block; moving backwards and forwards – prearranged step-sparring. . Learning the basics to become proficient requires repetition, over and over again. However, it’s crucial that basics are realistic, wouldn’t you agree? . The movements contained within karate were never meant to receive an attack from another martial […]

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Many pioneers of karate inform us that the hand opposite to the striking hand is ‘doing something’.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minutes 15 second read) It’s very common in traditional karate to see practitioners performing a technique, while pulling back/drawing back the other hand and placing it on the hip, or with the knife hand, across the abdomen. . In Japanese, the ‘pulling hand’ is called ‘hikite’, and it’s evident in most of the receiving

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“Without context words and actions have no meaning at all.”

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy /

(1 minute 45 second read) “Without context words and actions have no meaning at all.” . This is a major problem today where so many individuals, many without experience of other martial arts, confuse their own ‘way’ as the one and only ‘way’. . Cricket is an amazing sport, but would a cricket player excel

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“Know the cause of your ignorance.”

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 35 second read) Have you ever encountered someone who seems completely stuck in their ways? Someone who refuses to consider any viewpoint but their own? That’s the hallmark of a closed mind. . And boy, have I had a few of these in the comments on my articles lately. . A closed-minded person

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WHAT?… Self-defense is not necessary?

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 45 second read) Recent comments on one of my articles, dismissed self-defense as unnecessary; “self defense never really necessary – [snip] – if someone want to rob my wallet or phone with knife, I will just give them away”. . Good tactics, but what if they want more? What if you are in

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Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast challenges me!…..Hold My Beer.

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 7 second read) A commenter on one of my articles challenged me: “Step onto a jiu-jitsu mat and get humbled.” . This sentiment highlights a common desire in martial arts – to find the ultimate fighting method. But the truth is, and I have written about this extensively, there’s NO single “best” martial

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As your child practices Karate, they’re not just mastering kicks and punches. They’re also building confidence and inner strength.

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 45 second read) Let’s talk about something crucial – if you teach the martial arts, it’s not just about teaching your students how to fight. Fighting isn’t always the answer. Especially if you’re dealing with kids. . Teaching your students how to avoid trouble is extremely important, this is the first line of

As your child practices Karate, they’re not just mastering kicks and punches. They’re also building confidence and inner strength. Read More »

Memorization Isn’t Enough: Master the Art of Using, Analyzing, and Adapting Your Skills.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 35 second read) Just like any other pursuit, true learning in the martial arts goes beyond rote memorization. It’s not about simply accumulating facts, but about developing the ability to use, analyze, and adapt the skills you’re taught. . Rote memorization may have its place in the initial stages of learning, providing a

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Chaos Training: Building Confidence Under Pressure.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute read) Some of the comments on my articles recently seem to be producing quite a range of interesting views. . One such comment seemed to suggest that the methods of pressure testing I mentioned in an article; – “to include in your practice pressure testing; unknown wild attacks, pushing, pulling, grabbing, verbal escalation,

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Sensei Under Fire: The Unexpected Downside of Karate Titles.

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 28 second read) If often receive damming comments when I write an article which has anything to do with belts, grades or titles. . The whole system of awarding belts, grades and titles, seems to be a sensitive topic for many karate practitioners….. and for those that don’t practice. . The “Shogo” (称号)

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Ditch the perfect demo and embrace the glorious messiness of real-world failure.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 13 second read) The martial arts require demonstration to supplement the whole teaching process. I get it. I demonstrate to my students. However, I always incorporate some level of failure into my demonstrations. . Why? Because a real life attack is unpredictable, chaotic, vicious, and brutal. Your techniques will probably not go as

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Master the toolbox, not just the hammer….

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 40 second read) Imagine a toolbox filled with tools; wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, these tools can fix many things….. but how you use them depends on the job. . The martial arts are like those tools – different methods have different goals. . Karate, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, MMA, Boxing – these are all different fighting

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