(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) What many people call traditional karate had its inception at the beginning of the 20th century. The method of practice changed almost completely with its introduction to mainland Japan in the 1930s. . Today, that is what most people think about when having conversations about traditional karate. . Using…
Tag: Humility
Sparring Isn’t Self-Defense: You Must Understand the Difference.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) I often receive messages from people that say that in their dojo, or school, their instructor doesn’t teach bunkai applications – or are not very realistic. . This isn’t unusual. Many instructors were brought up on the idea that you shouldn’t question. You just did as you were told….
The Surface and the Core: What Karate Has Become – and What It Was Meant to Be.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) A question for the instructors out there: what do most of the students who come into your dojo want? . I stopped and asked all my young and beginner students this question a while back. Without exception, they answered that they wanted some form of self-defense – something to…
Surface Knowledge, Shallow Roots: The Illusion of Progress.
(Approx 2 minute 55 second read) For many, earning a dan grade is the pinnacle of their journey. It feels like a mountain climbed – years of effort, sweat, and achievement wrapped up in a black belt and a certificate. And for a time, that feeling is enough. . After the novelty of the belt…
Kata Isn’t the Problem – Misunderstanding It Is. Stop Blaming Kata. Start Asking the Right Questions.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I never thought I’d enjoy writing articles as much as I do, but some of the comments are so incredibly misinformed they keep me fired up and ready to write again. . One comment from a Kyokushin shodan sums up, I think, what any serious practical karate enthusiast knows…
At the Summit: Where the Trail Becomes Your Own.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) I wrote the other day that one of my teachers – someone I respect deeply, not just for his karate but for how he lives – once told me, “Carry the tradition into the future”. After more than fifty years of training, he said it was time for me…
Training Awareness – It’s Not What You See – It’s What You Notice.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) My recent article on awareness someone asked me, “But how do you train awareness?” . They expect a drill. A pattern. Something they can rehearse on the mats. But awareness isn’t a technique you run through a few times before bowing out. It’s not something you add on top…
When Tradition Becomes a Crutch: The Danger of Blindly Following The Past.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) In a world that’s moving faster every day – and feels more unstable than ever – traditions matter more than ever. They give us something steady to hold onto, offering a bit of order and comfort in the chaos. . Tradition is really just a belief, a habit, or…
Look Again: It’s the Small Details That Matter. Awareness Doesn’t Clock Off.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) I’m going to start this article with a simple analogy. . You’re making decisions – judgements – based on what you see, hear, and feel. But what happens when you’re missing something? . How can your choices be sound if crucial information isn’t even on your radar? . So,…
Karate Solely as Meditation? Why That Worries Me.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I often wonder why people visit my Page, and feel the need to comment – when it seems they have no interest in the practical side of karate. . One particular comment stood out from a person that said he’s been training in Shotokan for nearly 30 years and…
The Shadow in the Mirror: Not So Different – Just Seen Through Another Lens.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The guy from the other day who suggested I “stop with the crap and go do some real training” got me thinking – not about what he said, but about how common this attitude is. . So many people who comment on my articles practice modern disciplines and openly…
Violence Doesn’t Care Where You Live.
(Approx 2 minute read) The comments on my articles are often fascinating. Sometimes they’re insightful, sometimes frustrating – but every now and then, they give me something else to write about. . Here we go with this gem: “If you need self-defense in your neighborhood, perhaps it’s time you switched neighborhoods.” . It sounds clever…