(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I wrote recently that no matter how much evidence you provide, people still will not see past their sometimes preconceived rhetoric. . You know, real martial artists are okay with it when they find out they are wrong. And to me, that is one of the greatest gifts that…
Tag: Humility
As Rare as a Quiet Pub on a Friday Night: What Students Deserve to Know.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) What motivates phony martial artists?… Is it ego, money, or something else? . I’m sure by now everyone has heard the term McDojo – a place that’s found its way onto streets, into strip malls, and community halls all over the world. . What actually is a McDojo? ….
Hard Conditioning Has Its Place: Self-Protection Isn’t a Contest – It’s Not Just About Taking the Hit.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The funny thing about writing on the martial arts is that sometimes people read what you said, nod in agreement – then repeat it back to you, only louder, rougher, and with more bravado. . I recently wrote that the martial arts aren’t about looking for a fight –…
Restraint Is a Technique Too: Training to Fight, Learning Not To.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) In karate, a term that’s not heard very often is “Jissen” (実践 – じっせん). It translates directly to “actual fighting” or “real combat” – as in applying theory in real-world, practical situations. . This approach prioritizes what genuinely works in a real confrontation, often incorporating elements like grappling, throws,…
Ego Always Wants the Fight – Wisdom Knows When to Walk Away.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) The martial arts teaches us many things, but one of the most valuable lessons is knowing when not to engage. You can spend years refining technique and self-discipline, but it takes real maturity to recognize that some battles just aren’t worth fighting. . And that maturity should come with…
One Path Known, One Path New: Which Path Would Your Teacher Choose Today?
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) The martial arts are great, aren’t they? So much diversity, so many differences – steeped in rich traditions and varied styles. . While the pursuit of proficiency and personal growth is what most of us strive for, it’s not uncommon to encounter practitioners who show a certain stubbornness when…
Karate Then and Now: What Are We Really Studying?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) When karate was widely introduced to the public through the school system in Japan in the early 1930s, it had to meet certain criteria. To be accepted, the curriculum needed to promote physical health, build confidence, improve endurance, enhance concentration, and so on. . It specifically could not be…
Beyond the Patch: When Loyalty Is Tested.
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) Not every patch is a symbol of trust. . Over the years, I’ve seen many martial arts groups rise and fall. Names change, alliances shift, and new banners are flown – but the questions stay the same. . What does it mean to be loyal? What should an association…
Stripped of Illusion: Not All Who Wear the Belt Wear the Values.
(Approx 2 minute read) Recently, I wrote an article asking whether karate builds character. We’re often told it does. . It’s a phrase passed down from instructor to student, repeated so often it becomes accepted as truth. It’s written on dojo walls, part of the budo creed. . And maybe – at times – it…
A Train Ride, Not a Showdown: Common Sense Before Combat.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Most of the people who visit my page regularly – thank you, by the way – will know that aside from the header that clearly states Practical Karate, much of my writing centers around exactly that. . Recently, I received a message from someone who claimed that self-defense is…
Are You Teaching What You Understand – or Just Instructing What You Were Told?
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) There’s a difference between asking a question and asking someone else to do your thinking for you – especially when it comes from someone you don’t know. . Lately, I’ve been receiving messages from instructors – some new to teaching, others with different backgrounds – asking how I approach…
Revisiting Step-Kumite: Because “Beginners Have to Start Somewhere” Isn’t Good Enough.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) With regard to my recent article on step-kumite, someone argued that beginners need a starting point, and that step-kumite is often seen as an entry-level method. . He made the comparison to teaching a child how to catch a baseball – starting with a tennis ball at a short…