Be passionate about your martial arts training and your martial arts training will improve. . People join martial arts schools for many different reasons, perhaps wanting to learn how to fight, how to protect themselves, get fit, gain confidence or a combination of all those things. Often times those reasons change when there is a […]
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” Read More »
When karate began to move across the world in the early to mid 1950’s the training emphasis was almost exclusively on striking. Kata was not properly understood. . Even today you can still find karate dojo that teach kata without ‘bunkai’ (analysis/breakdown). Those first generation Western practitioners then went on to perpetuate the bias of
Karate is NOT only a striking art. Read More »
空手は生涯の研究です- Karate wa shōgai no kenkyūdesu (Karate is a lifelong study) – Mabuni Kenwa (1889-1952) . . Relatively speaking, there is still relatively few who choose to dedicate their lives to studying martial arts. In terms of sports, many choose more mainstream pastimes such as football, basketball, baseball, or soccer, as apposed to the martial
“Karate wa shōgai no kenkyūdesu.” (Karate is a lifelong study) Read More »
Many of you who have spent a good number of years studying the martial arts have probably heard the term “Bun Bu Ryō Dō” (文武両道). . Bun Bu Ryō Dō is a term which has been in use throughout Japanese history, possibly going back further than the Heian period (794 – 1185). In a simple
“Bun Bu Ryō Dō” – The “Education of Body and Mind”. Read More »
Throughout history certain people have become Masters of their art. . You know what they all had in common? They chose to dedicate their time to their art. They showed up when it was fun and easy….. and they showed up when the training was tedious, hard, frustrating and tough. . You too can be
Throughout history certain people have become Masters of their art. Read More »
Titles, belts and grades are often discussed in the martial arts, and is usually a topic of contention. . Often it’s people who don’t even know each other personally and decide to head off into a diatribe of hatred and abuse. It’s usually coming from people who are lower grade black belts that have never
The wearing of the “Aka Obi”. The Red Belt. Read More »
Within the martial arts community there are many types of people. Some have morals and are good people that you can rely upon, and others…….well, not quite so much. . You would think that in a profession where character traits such as honor, integrity, courtesy, perseverance, and an unbreakable spirit, are held in such
“Always leave things better than when you found them…… especially people.” Read More »
Training in martial arts or self-defense only improves your chances in a real life scenario. A little training improves your chances a little. A lot of training improves your chances a lot. No amount of training will guarantee anything except to know that avoiding a fight is the best option, and you should have learned
Bad guys don’t play by a rulebook. Read More »
I have had the good fortune to have been in roles inside and outside of the martial arts, that have exposed me to a wide range of learning and teaching approaches and methods. One thing I have learned, is that I still have much to learn, and this learning will never end. . Just because
Nearly all the problems in the martial arts today can be traced back to poor teaching. Read More »
It’s my belief that it is good to be curious to try and acquire knowledge about everything around us. . Eagerness and passion develops curiosity which is hugely important in the martial arts. It’s how we analyze and understand our karate at a deeper level. If you are the type of practitioner who believes in
Getting into a physical fight is never a good idea, and every self-defense expert will tell you that if you can avoid a fight if at all possible, then you should. But, sometimes you can’t, if you’re attacked physically then you need to protect yourself. . Fighting is wrong. But sometimes it’s necessary, and if
You must know when to walk away from a fight. Read More »
The Japanese technical terms that we use for our techniques came about a long time after the actual creation of the techniques themselves. . Karate, as we know (or should do), originally came from Okinawa, but in the early days the karate environment was very different compared to the modern day karate environment. The Dojo,
When and why did people start using these Japanese phrases for techniques? Read More »
