(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Imagine the fear. You’ve been training at your dojo for a while, growing confident in your abilities and trusting in your sensei. But slowly, a gnawing doubt creeps in – a feeling deep in your gut that something isn’t right. . You start to notice things you didn’t before….
Tag: Lineage
It’s Like a Finger Pointing to the Moon: Don’t Focus on ‘Saying OSU!’ or You’ll Miss All That Heavenly Glory.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) “Osu”, a term I have written about before, used often by some and bemoaned by others, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. For many, it symbolizes perseverance, respect, or acknowledgment, and it’s often used as a greeting, a response to an instruction, or even as a show of enthusiasm. ….
The Courage to Ask: Breaking the Silence and Finding Value in Questions During Training.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Respect for your teacher is paramount and following instructions are instilled from day one. But does this culture of respect sometimes stifle learning? Could unwavering reverence prevent students from fully understanding what they’re taught? . I bring this up because, when I started training in 1974 under a Japanese…
The Evolution of Karate: Tradition and the Search for Authenticity.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Recently, I received a message about an article I had written, which was about the karate being taught after WWII and propagated across the US and to the rest of the world. . The message said that their karate was immune to superficiality because they had regular visits back…
In every challenge that age brings, we find the opportunity to redefine strength – not as brute force, but as the clarity of thought and spirit.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, I had a conversation with one of my senior students. Both of us are in our sixties now, reflecting on what happens when time begins to slow us down. As martial artists, we know that no amount of training can stop the effects of aging. We’ve gained wisdom…
Naihanchi: Absent from Competition, Essential for Practical Application.
(Approx 2 minute read) Naihanchi kata, simple in appearance but profound in application. Its name is commonly interpreted as “sideways fighting”, referencing the kata’s distinctive embusen. Although other interpretations also exist. . Gichin Funakoshi, renamed the kata ‘Tekki’ (Iron Horse), honoring his teacher Anko Itosu and emphasizing its strength and stability. While the precise origins…
Educating with Insight: Ensuring Depth and Authenticity in Karate Teaching.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Itosu Anko was in his 70s when he finalized the Pinan kata. Those forms were simplified and organized into a curriculum suitable for instructing larger groups, particularly within the Okinawan school system. Karate was to be promoted as a way to encourage physical education, discipline, and moral character in…
Challenging Conformity: The Power of Questioning What You Know to Discover Genuine Understanding.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, someone sent me a message with the abrupt opener, “Who are you?” – not the most polite way to start a conversation. After some back-and-forth, and after I pointed out the rudeness of his approach, I learned he was upset about a quote I had used in one…
The Divisiveness in the Martial Arts: Why Are We So Divided and Broken?
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) Why, in a discipline meant to promote humility, respect, and self-discipline, do we find ourselves so divided and broken? . Perhaps it stems from the loyalty practitioners develop toward their chosen style, instructor, or dojo. While this sense of belonging is a powerful motivator, it can easily transform into…
No One Art Is the Best: So Stop Bragging, and Start Learning.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) If you’ve read my articles, you probably know by now that I prefer my karate to be practical and pragmatic. Yet, I constantly hear from people claiming that Kyokushin is the best martial art – the strongest style that everyone should learn. After all, Kyokushin means ‘the ultimate truth,’…
Structure, Curiosity, and Asking “Why?” – The Journey Continues.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) When you are inexperienced in the martial arts, or anything really, there comes a point in time where you start asking questions. Some will question themselves, others will ask questions of their instructor, or someone outside their dojo or association. You may not get the answers you were looking…
Kuzushi: A Universal Principle in All Kata – or Just One?
(Approx 2 minute read) I thought I would write a follow-up to my article on kuzushi, as it was mentioned that there is a certain kata that teaches an unbalancing technique. . Balance is everything, right? The ability to maintain your own stability while breaking your opponent’s balance is a key factor in effective combat….