Self-defense and fighting are often spoken about as if they are the same thing. They are not. There is overlap between the two, but they are fundamentally different in both purpose and outcome. This distinction is often misunderstood, particularly because many people are taught physical or fighting skills first when they attend a “self-defense” class. […]
Winning Is Not the Goal in Self-Defense Read More »
Communication can sometimes be surprisingly ambiguous, especially online. A single word, used casually in one place, can carry very different meanings somewhere else. The term “Osu” is a familiar sound in karate circles. In many instances it’s meant to convey perseverance, respect, or commitment to training. In some Japanese karate styles it holds a strong
The Problem with “Osu” in Karate Read More »
Training the Mind Most people think of martial arts training as physical. Techniques. Speed. Power. Conditioning. Those things matter, of course. But over time many practitioners begin to realize that martial arts training involves something more as well. The training of the mind. Anyone who has watched sport long enough has seen how quickly psychology
The Mental Side of Training Read More »
The Ryukyu Kingdom, the historical heart of modern-day Okinawa, fostered a unique culture distinct from mainland Japan. This distinctiveness extends to language, with Okinawan dialects collectively known as Uchinaaguchi. Many karate practitioners, myself included, appreciate using the Japanese terminology that’s part of our practice. While most practitioners utilize it primarily for principles, techniques, drills, and
Time is the one opponent we cannot defeat, yet it’s the one we often underestimate the most. The reason people say, “the trouble is you think you have time”, is because when we’re younger, it moves so slowly. But as we age, it speeds up. You gain a new perspective. You reach a deeper understanding
The Opponent We Cannot Defeat Read More »
Karate has always evolved. Kata have changed. Methods of teaching have changed. Even within a single generation, subtle differences appear. That was happening long before Westerners ever set foot in an Okinawan dojo. What we can know tends to come from personal experience rather than historical reconstruction. Much of karate back then was not taught as a
Walking Your Own Path in Karate Read More »
A little while back, a nidan instructor contacted us after his instructor passed away and asked if we could grade him to sandan. From the outset, I had reservations. Even though I knew his instructor, I didn’t know this person. He had never joined us for a session, and I had never seen him train.
Rank Is Earned, Not Requested Read More »
We often learn more from searching for an answer and not finding it than from simply being given the answer itself. It’s not hard to learn more if you are open to it. What is hard is to unlearn something when you discover you may have been doing it wrong all along. I remember over
Even Monkeys Fall From Trees – Learning From Mistakes in the Martial Arts Read More »
“Practice makes perfect.” How many times have you heard that to motivate you? The problem is, the phrase isn’t quite right. Practice doesn’t make perfect. It makes permanent. It should really be: Perfect practice makes perfect. Karate is known for its repetition. How many of you have attended a weekend seminar by a top instructor
Practice Makes Perfect? Read More »
Losing interest in martial arts training happens to everyone at some point. It’s almost inevitable, and there are countless reasons why. How often have you heard someone say, “I used to do karate”? The decision to stop rarely feels dramatic. It’s often quiet. Yet years of work can fade surprisingly quickly. It begins innocently – skipping one
When Training Becomes Who You Are. Read More »
Most dojos have a creed – a Dojo-Kun (道場訓). A list of promises or ideals, framed neatly on the wall. Students recite it at the start or end of class, bow respectfully, then forget half of it before they reach the car park. That isn’t criticism. It’s just observation. A creed is only words until you
The Creed on the Wall. Read More »
Karate has changed – we all know that. The karate created by the pioneers on Okinawa looks very different from much of what we see today. And of course, those later pioneers were part of that shift themselves. Change didn’t happen by accident. When I watch students from other dojo trying to work out bunkai
What Are You Waiting For? Read More »
