“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” – Epictetus . There are situations that arise in which we wish to influence other people and make them understand something that we believe to be important. . But no matter how hard we try, we cannot force people to […]
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” Read More »
“Karate is not for a rank, glory or for revenge. It is way of life: A way to protect yourself, a way to build health, and a way to bring people together.“ – Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan . Ever wanted to get revenge? . The first thing many of us think of
Ever wanted to get revenge? Read More »
“It is not how much you have learned, but how much you have absorbed in what you have learned.” – Bruce Lee . Most people try but some of them just don’t get there…… The reason…. Because they are only trying. . Using the verb “to try” in your sentences is self-sabotage, because before trying
“NO!… Try not!… DO or DO NOT, there is no try.” Read More »
“I hope that the next generations will not only improve technically but also know how to share their knowledge. People must pass on the traditions and not lose them.” – Teruo Chinen 9th dan Goju Ryu (1941-2015) . What does it mean to leave a legacy? . In simple terms, a legacy is passed from
What does it mean to leave a legacy? Read More »
Look at your reflection… that’s your competition. . Humility is a very important human trait that all of us should exercise in our daily lives. Being humble means you aren’t too big for any lesson that may come your way. . The core significance of being humble is that humility keeps you constantly receptive to
Look at your reflection… that’s your competition. Read More »
Are the martial arts all about fighting? Some people seem to think so. (Even on social media it seems.) . The traditional martial arts originated to satisfy a need for self-preservation during difficult times…… “[Karate] is not intended to be used against a single opponent [consensual] but instead as a way of avoiding injury by
Are the martial arts all about fighting? Read More »
The truth of being a karate teacher is that students will come, and they will go. Karate training, in a good dojo, is not easy. It is demanding, exacting, you have to be determined, committed…… and not everyone is cut out to be a black belt. . When I accept a new student I usually
It’s never about you… it’s always about your students… Read More »
“My police work influenced my drive to seek practical application practices and not be content with simplistic explanations that might not survive the rigor of an actual confrontation.” (End quote) – Taira Masaji 9th dan Goju Ryu . A technique might work very well against somebody who is your friend in the dojo, using only
“No fight [is] perfect that is not done in force and true time.” Read More »
“It’s not only techniques but also your attitude.” – Teruyuki Okazaki 10th dan Shotokan (1931–2020) . . You always have a choice. It’s a wonderful thing to know that at any moment you have the freedom, the ability, the power to choose what to do. How to train or workout, practice at home, whether to
“It’s not only techniques but also your attitude.” Read More »
Things have changed over the years. When I began my training in traditional martial arts, some of the instructors were mean. They went out of their way to inflict pain on you, many of them made you feel useless, being unable to grasp a technique or kata. They ordered and shouted at you like military
Physical punishment as discipline is ABSOLUTELY WRONG. Read More »
How many times do you hear students in your dojo or school say, “I can’t”? Doesn’t that phrase make you cringe? I always tell my students; “Don’t say you can’t, because you can. Just say you’re going to try.” . As teachers, the most important and rewarding part of our work is to recognize the
BELIEF starts with “YES I CAN.” Read More »
What’s in a name? There are those who argue against too many dojo, associations, world or international. That anyone outside of Okinawa or Japan should be remonstrated for naming their dojo or association by an asian name. Are we to believe that “one size fits all”? . It isn’t a style or the name of
