(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I wrote recently that no matter how much evidence you provide, people still will not see past their sometimes preconceived rhetoric. . You know, real martial artists are okay with it when they find out they are wrong. And to me, that is one of the greatest gifts that…
Tag: Lineage
As Rare as a Quiet Pub on a Friday Night: What Students Deserve to Know.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) What motivates phony martial artists?… Is it ego, money, or something else? . I’m sure by now everyone has heard the term McDojo – a place that’s found its way onto streets, into strip malls, and community halls all over the world. . What actually is a McDojo? ….
Old Karate, New Words: Understanding Karate’s Original Intent.
(Approx 2 minute read) Imagine stepping into an early Okinawan karate dojo around the turn of the 20th century. It was probably someone’s back garden, surrounded by a wall or fencing so no one could see what was going on. Unlike today, the environment was very different. . Teachers of the time passed down their…
Hard Conditioning Has Its Place: Self-Protection Isn’t a Contest – It’s Not Just About Taking the Hit.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The funny thing about writing on the martial arts is that sometimes people read what you said, nod in agreement – then repeat it back to you, only louder, rougher, and with more bravado. . I recently wrote that the martial arts aren’t about looking for a fight –…
Restraint Is a Technique Too: Training to Fight, Learning Not To.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) In karate, a term that’s not heard very often is “Jissen” (実践 – じっせん). It translates directly to “actual fighting” or “real combat” – as in applying theory in real-world, practical situations. . This approach prioritizes what genuinely works in a real confrontation, often incorporating elements like grappling, throws,…
One Path Known, One Path New: Which Path Would Your Teacher Choose Today?
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) The martial arts are great, aren’t they? So much diversity, so many differences – steeped in rich traditions and varied styles. . While the pursuit of proficiency and personal growth is what most of us strive for, it’s not uncommon to encounter practitioners who show a certain stubbornness when…
Karate Then and Now: What Are We Really Studying?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) When karate was widely introduced to the public through the school system in Japan in the early 1930s, it had to meet certain criteria. To be accepted, the curriculum needed to promote physical health, build confidence, improve endurance, enhance concentration, and so on. . It specifically could not be…
Beyond the Patch: When Loyalty Is Tested.
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) Not every patch is a symbol of trust. . Over the years, I’ve seen many martial arts groups rise and fall. Names change, alliances shift, and new banners are flown – but the questions stay the same. . What does it mean to be loyal? What should an association…
The Living Language of Kata – If We Let It Speak Its Original Rhythm.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Over the years, I’ve had more than one conversation with experienced martial artists – and those with no interest in kata – about its purpose and function. . One question that comes up repeatedly is whether kata, as it’s practiced today, is really full of usable fighting techniques, or…
Stripped of Illusion: Not All Who Wear the Belt Wear the Values.
(Approx 2 minute read) Recently, I wrote an article asking whether karate builds character. We’re often told it does. . It’s a phrase passed down from instructor to student, repeated so often it becomes accepted as truth. It’s written on dojo walls, part of the budo creed. . And maybe – at times – it…
Are You Teaching What You Understand – or Just Instructing What You Were Told?
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) There’s a difference between asking a question and asking someone else to do your thinking for you – especially when it comes from someone you don’t know. . Lately, I’ve been receiving messages from instructors – some new to teaching, others with different backgrounds – asking how I approach…
If It’s Not Real, Why Are You Teaching It? Tradition Isn’t an Excuse for Ineffective Teaching.
Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Kata, kihon, and two-person drills are part of the language of karate. But none of these should be practiced in isolation or merely for tradition. They should all have a connection – each part serving a purpose, forming a blueprint for learning how to deal with violence. If it…