Fighting

From Complacency to Overconfidence: The Many Different Views of Traditional Karate.

(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) It’s interesting that in my articles about self-protection or self-defense, several comments seem to indicate that many people just don’t prioritize self-defense. . Some commenters suggest that because they live in areas with little violence, they feel they don’t need the protection offered by realistic self-protection training. . Additionally, […]

From Complacency to Overconfidence: The Many Different Views of Traditional Karate. Read More »

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Effective self-protection needs a different approach.

(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The term self-defense is frequently used to promote martial arts schools, but do they genuinely offer self-defense, or does it simply label traditional martial arts techniques as a one-size-fits-all solution? . People often discuss self-defense and self-protection as if they’re interchangeable. While there are elements that are similar and

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Effective self-protection needs a different approach. Read More »

Kata movements hold deeper meanings beyond their surface appearance, often misunderstood in practice.

(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) When practitioners perform set kumite, drills, or sparring, they stand facing an opponent. . Why then do some practitioners, when performing applications to kata, wait for an opponent to attack from the side, anticipating blocking an attack? . It makes no sense does it? Yet this is how modern

Kata movements hold deeper meanings beyond their surface appearance, often misunderstood in practice. Read More »

Delve deeper, for in asking the right questions, you’ll detect the absence of what truly matters.

(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) I used to love sport karate. In my late teens and twenties I just wanted to spar, fight in the dojo, and compete in tournaments. . In those early days, there was a stark contrast to the safety measures and equipment we see today. Those of us who have

Delve deeper, for in asking the right questions, you’ll detect the absence of what truly matters. Read More »

“The karate that high school students practice today is not the same karate that was practiced even as recently as ten years ago.”

(2 minute 42 second read) My recent article about ‘bunkai’ exposed a litany of misconceptions in the comments. . The dedication of karate masters over the decades has ensured the transmission of kata. However, their true depth often remains undiscovered. . For many practitioners, karate remains a striking art. Blocking, punching and kicking. So when

“The karate that high school students practice today is not the same karate that was practiced even as recently as ten years ago.” Read More »

“There is a code of honor and if you don’t respect that code, you should be out of martial arts.”

(1 minute 50 second read) Once again, the concept of respect has reared its ugly head. . Someone left a brief two word comment on one of my articles. I won’t delve into the specifics of the conversation or name the individual involved. . However, in response, I asked several questions to gain clarity on

“There is a code of honor and if you don’t respect that code, you should be out of martial arts.” Read More »

The best fight is the one you avoid. So don’t start a fight you can’t finish, but if you do, finish it.

(1 minute 30 second read) If you’re like most people, you probably hope you’ll never face a self-defense situation. But being prepared is key. . Self-defense is a critical skill, but it’s important to understand it’s not about winning a fight. It’s about neutralizing a threat and escaping safely. . Those that keep reminding me

The best fight is the one you avoid. So don’t start a fight you can’t finish, but if you do, finish it. Read More »