(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 […]
One Path Known, One Path New: Which Path Would Your Teacher Choose Today? Read More »
(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
Karate Then and Now: What Are We Really Studying? Read More »
(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
Beyond the Patch: When Loyalty Is Tested. Read More »
(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
Stripped of Illusion: Not All Who Wear the Belt Wear the Values. Read More »
(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
A Train Ride, Not a Showdown: Common Sense Before Combat. Read More »
(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
Are You Teaching What You Understand – or Just Instructing What You Were Told? Read More »
(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
Revisiting Step-Kumite: Because “Beginners Have to Start Somewhere” Isn’t Good Enough. Read More »
(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
The Past Informs Us, But It Doesn’t Define Us – What Matters Is What You Can Do with It. Read More »
(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
The Lost Lessons of Kata: Is it Time to Move Beyond the Myths? Read More »
(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
Who Are You When No One’s Watching? Do You Train to Build Character? Read More »
(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
You Still Recognize the Game – Karate Should Be No Different. Read More »
(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
Before the Rebrand: Modern Isn’t Always Better – and Why That Still Matters. Read More »
