(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I’ve always been fascinated by history. When I lived in a rural area of the UK, reminders of the past were everywhere – Bronze Age burial sites, a Roman town and amphitheater, a 10th-century church. You could almost feel the weight of time beneath your feet. That sense of…
Tag: Humility
The Lost Lessons of Kata: Is it Time to Move Beyond the Myths?
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) It’s hard not to feel frustrated when reading comments about kata. So many people speak with confidence – but little understanding – about what kata is for, how it works, or why it was created in the first place. . Most of the time, their explanations are rooted in…
Who Are You When No One’s Watching? Do You Train to Build Character?
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) A recent comment I received said, “Most karate classes are not for self-defense. It’s about the long-term development of your character.” . I’m not sure I agree. The majority of dojo today advertise self-defense classes. So which is it – self-defense, self-improvement or something else? . It’s sad to…
You Still Recognize the Game – Karate Should Be No Different.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) There’s a common belief in classical karate that it gives you a reliable way to protect yourself. But plenty of people – especially those from more modern systems – say otherwise. A big part of the problem is that karate has often gone unchallenged. Because of Japan’s culture of…
Before the Rebrand: Modern Isn’t Always Better – and Why That Still Matters.
(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…
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…