There are so many clichés about becoming a black belt, being a black belt, and how you should behave once you eventually get one. . But the problem is that for some people, it doesn’t stop there. One black belt isn’t enough. They want another grade, then another. More stripes on the belt. . When…
Tag: Humility
Learning Isn’t the Hard Part – When Experience Gets in the Way.
We all want to be acknowledged for our work, our performance, our dedication. It’s a natural human desire to know that we are doing a good job. . Praise is one of those small things that can mean a great deal. Positive reinforcement feels good, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it can also…
What Do We Mean When We Say “Original Kata”?
This question comes up again and again in karate, usually after a video is shared or a book is mentioned. Someone performs a kata and the discussion quickly turns into claims about what is “original”, who learned from whom, and who was closest to the source. Before long, the kata itself is almost forgotten, replaced…
“Take Them to the Ground” That Is The Failure
Some of the messages I receive are incredibly short-sighted. “You would fail if you were taken to the ground.” . Firstly – fail at what? . I don’t compete anymore. The karate I teach, and have taught for several decades, is practical and pragmatic in approach. Yes, we occasionally have fun and do competition-style sparring,…
Karate Doesn’t Fail – Unclear Goals Do.
The global estimate of people who practice martial arts ranges from as low as 50 million to as high as 150 million. . So what is it that all these people see in the martial arts? . Despite those numbers, the vast majority of practitioners will never use their skills in a real act of…
Certificates, Curiosity, and the Disappearance of Depth in Karate.
There is a modern belief that achievement is something you can hold in your hand – a certificate, a diploma, a grade, a title, a rank. Something printed, stamped, and signed that proves you have arrived. It’s a comforting illusion, and it has taken root in karate. . The logic is simple. If the box…
Choreography and the Dangers of Untested Confidence.
I was watching a video of a practitioner going through some self-defense techniques, presented as coming from a respected karate legacy. . To be honest, it would have been totally ineffective for that goal. . In a recent article, I explained how, as a young man in my early 20s, actively competing at a national…
What Seniority Was Meant to Represent – When Titles Outpace Training.
Karate has always been a long road. It was never meant to be a collection of certificates to gather, but a lifetime of practice that slowly shapes the person who walks it. . The early grades mark progress, but they are only the beginning. Shodan literally means “first step”, the point at which you finally…
Training for What You Can’t Predict – When Practice Meets Reality.
In a previous article, I wrote about how suddenly violence can appear, and how little control any of us may have over its arrival. . I also wrote about an incident from my early twenties, when I was attacked while out running. That experience stayed with me not because of technique, but because of what…
Purpose Shapes Practice – Karate, Context, and Age.
Driving past a martial arts school yesterday, I noticed some of the students leaving – children barely three or four years old. . Personally, I have never taught children this young. In my opinion, karate for this age group is little more than structured play and games. If this is your income source and it…
A Word That Wandered: How ‘Osu’ Drifted Through Karate.
After I posted my thoughts about the word “osu”, I expected a few people to disagree. But what surprised me was how many long‑time practitioners, including instructors, admitted they weren’t actually sure where the word should be used, or even why they say it at all. . Some people told me they’d been using it…
Respect, Habit, the Word ‘Osu’ – and Where It Doesn’t Belong.
Respect for your teacher is paramount and following instructions is instilled from day one. But sometimes this culture of respect leads to habits that are repeated without thought – phrases, behaviors, and rituals that people copy simply because they’ve seen others do them. . I often receive comments on my articles and messages that consist…