(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) If you regularly read my articles, I’m sure you recognize that I prefer my karate to be pragmatic and practical rather than for any kind of competition. In the comments section I often find myself bewildered by the lack of common sense and logic that sometimes pervades discussions and…
Tag: Humility
The Keiko-Gi Badge: A Symbol Worn With Pride.
(Approx 1 minute 30 second read) Wearing your dojo or association badge on your keiko-gi, is a significant tradition in the world of karate, or the martial arts in general. Echoing early medieval and martial arts schools where practitioners displayed or wore patches or symbols identifying their lineage, their clan. . Today, this seemingly simple…
“Kakie. You have to rely on your senses, not power.”
(Approx 1 minute 30 second read) “Kakie (カキエ). You have to rely on your senses, not power. Targets open up during an exchange, so strike as they open up. You can sense what’s coming even if you’re looking away. It’s all about this feeling.” – Minoru Higa, 10th Dan Kyudokan Shorin Ryu . Kakie, often…
The Greatest Opponent: The trouble is, you think you have time.
Time is the one opponent we cannot defeat, yet it’s the one we often underestimate the most. . The reason why people keep saying, ‘the trouble is you think you have time,’ is because when we’re younger, time seems to move so slowly. But as we age, it speeds up. . You gain this new…
Everything you see is just a reflection of what is inside you. Surface-level practice only reveals part of its depth.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) “As up to now [1938] karate has only partly been introduced in Tokyo, people who exercise karate in Tokyo believe that it solely consists of punching and kicking techniques. When talking about ‘gyaku-waza’ (locks) and ‘nage-waza’ (throws) they assume that these only exist in jūjutsu and jūdō. This way…
Surpassing Expectations: Going Beyond Your Limits.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) In traditional martial arts, success shouldn’t merely be measured by trophies or titles. True success comes from within, from the dedication to improve yourself and the determination to give your best effort in every aspect of training. . If I’m on your case about doing better, it’s because I…
“Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.”
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) We had a great class on Saturday. Those moments where a student has a lightbulb moment and says; “Oh, I get it now.” . You can teach someone something, but quite often students have to ‘feel’ it for themselves, they have to experience it firsthand. . Now, I also…
Not a Stolen Legacy: The Reality of Shared Techniques.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) In a recent comment on my article discussing modern techniques in traditional martial arts, I used the example of knee strikes in karate. The commenter claimed that this technique is exclusive to Muay Thai and accused me of stealing its legacy. . This claim not only dismisses the evidence…
From Ritual to Reality: The Modern MMA Techniques Revealed in Kata.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Kata are an essential part of the foundation of your karate practice. They are what make karate different. . In the years since competition became all the rage in martial arts, and kata started becoming a performance art instead of combat training, or a way to pass the next…
The Mindful Warrior: Paying Attention to What’s Right in Front of You.
(Approx 1 minute 58 second read) Zanshin (残心) is a term commonly used in Japanese martial arts to refer to a state of relaxed alertness. Literally translated, “zanshin” means “the mind with no remainder.” In other words, it is the mind completely focused on action and fixated on the task at hand. . Instructors often…
Why You Don’t Deserve That Black Belt. Earn It, Don’t Demand It.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Belt exams can cause stress for many karate practitioners, whatever their level. The best way to help alleviate this stress or anxiety is to prepare well. It’s not a good idea to try to learn something new just a few weeks before you are tested. . Recently, a 2nd…
Freedom of Expression: Respect Starts Here.
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) The internet has become a vast arena for sharing ideas, knowledge, opinions, and video learning. Recently, I received a comment on one of my articles that stated, “The internet is a free world; you can think what you want.” . This comment came after I pointed out that the…