(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) As we get older, our karate should change. We no longer need to prove ourselves like we did in our twenties. . Instead, we add another layer to our practical, pragmatic training – moving meditation, more introspection, and a sense of dignity. We begin to think about the legacy…
Tag: Lineage
When the Syllabus Stops Working: If You Don’t Ask, You’ll Never Know.
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) “You cannot get educated by this self-propagating system in which people study to pass exams, and teach others to pass exams, but nobody knows anything. You learn something by doing it yourself, by asking questions, by thinking, and by experimenting.” – Richard Feynman, theoretical physicist . I wrote an…
Putting Substance Back Into Karate: It Must Mean Something.
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) What on earth has karate become? . Yesterday, I was sent a video of a well-known karateka – a successful competitor with deep roots in karate. Someone with rank, experience, and a famous legacy behind them. And yet what I heard left me shaking my head. . They were…
Kata’s Core: Finding Truth Beneath the Movements.
Karate initially draws people to the dojo with promises of physical strength – discipline, skill, and of course, self-defense. . Those who embrace karate as a sport, for fun, or to follow a lineage have every right to do so. . Kata – for many people today – is just there in the background, something…
Karate: Stop Bowing to Dogma – Question Everything.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) The majority of karate today is plagued by dogma. Let me explain. . After the Second World War, Okinawa was in ruins. Many of the teachers who started up again back then had learned the ‘school karate’ model – all about building strong bodies and disciplined minds. Not every…
More Than Words on the Wall – The Dojo Kun Means Nothing If You Don’t Live It.
Most dojos have a creed – a Dojo Kun (道場訓) – a list of promises or ideals, hung neatly on the wall. Students recite it at the start of class, bow respectfully, but then forget half of it before they reach the car park. . A creed is only words until you choose to live…
When the Enemy Comes, Greet Him with a Smile.
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) A reminder that the real fight is often won in the mind. . For those of us interested in self-defense, awareness is key – being aware of yourself, your surroundings, and your environment. . But what does that really mean? . It’s about spotting pre-incident indicators, practicing good positioning,…
Beyond De-escalation: When Avoidance Fails, Decisive Action – The Core of Kata’s Self-Defense.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) Most followers of this Page understand that self-defense should always prioritize non-physical approaches first. There have to be alternatives, right? . However, I have always taught my students that if avoidance fails, they must quickly take control – or at least try to. I obviously hope they never have…
It’s Not the Name – It’s What It Does: Techniques Must Remain Adaptable.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Lately, I’ve had a lot of comments about how a particular technique is done in this or that style, with this or that detail. Some of these comments are thoughtful… but many miss the point. . If everything goes wrong and you have to fight, you don’t have the…
The Movement Inside the Technique: Oi-Zuki – More Than Just a Punch.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Someone recently said they enjoy kata, but can’t see how movements like oi-zuki connect to kumite – it all feels too different. . My response was this: if kata and kumite feel completely disconnected, that’s often down to how they’re being taught. Kata should reflect principles that hold up…
Practice Makes Permanent: Train It Right from the Start.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) “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 often have you…
Is Your Self-Defense Training Real? Finding Authentic Self-Protection.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Someone asked me, “How do you spot real, effective training – from the kind that’s not? How can you know the difference, especially if you’re training hard?” . You see it everywhere these days, a dojo on every street corner and in every strip mall, many of them have…