“I truly believe it’s important to honor tradition, but never be limited by it.” – Cezar Borkowski 10th dan Northern Karate Schools . In addition to the kyu/dan grading system used by most Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, there is a parallel system called “shogo” (称号). This is the teaching title-system originally set up by…
Tag: Humility
“A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist.”
“A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. Being a black belt is a state of mind and attitude.” – Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) . Many people feel like they deserve the belt, deserve the rank (I don’t like the term ‘rank’ btw). “I can beat this guy, I can…
“Look for the answer inside your question.”
“A teacher, a really good sensei, is never a ‘giver’ of ‘truth’; he is a guide, a ‘pointer’ to the truth that the student must discover for himself.” – Bruce Lee . This quote by Bruce Lee doesn’t mean that a teacher will lie and lead you down the wrong path (or shouldn’t anyway). What…
I hate the martial arts!
I hate the martial arts! . The martial arts are not for everyone. . The martial arts has always been about defense from violence, and is at the core of every martial art. It is through what we teach, and the concepts students ultimately learn, and absorb, that they develop both mentally and physically. ….
What is a good age to retire from martial arts training and teaching?
What is a good age to retire from martial arts training and teaching? . NEVER, is the usual answer to this question. Why would you retire? . There is no age limit to practicing the martial arts, the only limit is the “self”. Your actual age does not limit you in any way from practicing…
“Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.”
空手は湯の如し絶えず熱度を与えざれば元の水に還る – (karate wa yu no gotoshi taezu netsu o ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru) “Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.” – Gichin Funakoshi . I believe this applies to anything that we do in life. Sometimes we end up sick, injured, and run-down, and at times…
You are your own worst enemy. Fortunately, you know all your weaknesses.
“Karate, it’s both physical and mental. The ability to withstand pain and to become accustomed to fear. That requires both physical and mental sides.” – Kiyohide Shinjo 9th dan Uechi Ryu . You are your own worst enemy. Fortunately, you know all your weaknesses. . You know yourself better than anyone and you know…
So STOP making excuses. You know when class is!
“First, we’ll make a sacred pact. I promise to teach you karate. That is my part. You promise to learn. I say you do, no questions. That is your part.” – Nariyoshi Miyagi – Miyagi-do Karate . It’s all about priorities, right? After all, you only practice a couple of times a week….. “I have…
Shut up and listen.
People don’t usually read articles or posts that are online fully, they just skim through the content, or just view the image and move on. Some will then comment without any context or regard for the content. This makes me ask the question; do people really pay attention during their training? . Sometimes it’s good…
“I always say that it is not about grade, but about substance.”
“I always say that it is not about grade, but about substance. Even if wearing a white belt, doing your best is what matters most. This is what I try to pass on.” – Yasuhiro Uema 9th dan Shubukan Shorin Ryu . If you are visiting another dojo outside of your group, or changing…
Slow down, have the intelligence to let hatred go, and live life.
You run into lots of different attitudes in the martial arts (and out of it), most are extremely positive, but some extremely hateful. While all of us would prefer the positive, unfortunately there are those that just prefer to hate. . Hate is an emotion that gives us a feeling of intense hostility and aversion,…
“A mistake should be your teacher, not your attacker.”
We all make mistakes, we lose our way. We focus on the wrong things. We pursue goals at all costs. We doggedly stick to our training routines that may not be effective. You can be a good, dedicated person and still exercise poor judgment. . Sometimes in these moments, we’re not the friend others deserve,…