(Approx 3 minute read) A friend of mine recently posted an image of a downward block, or gedan barai, to show it could do something most people never expect: in this case, a throw. . For clarity, he placed text alongside the image that said, ‘Gedan Barai is not a block’. Oh crikey, I know…
Tag: Martial Arts
Good Teachers Are Measured by What They Inspire, Not What They Need to Prove.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) In a recent article I wrote about lineage, one of the comments I received said, “The worth of a teacher is not measured by the fame of their lineage, but by the depth of their understanding, their ability to transmit, and their humanity.” . He added, “…what truly matters:…
Not Every Argument Is Worth Your Time – Experience Teaches You That.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Something a little different today. . People talk a lot about confirmation bias, Dunning–Kruger, and all the psychological reasons why some can’t see past their own viewpoint. You don’t need the labels. You see the behavior every day, people so stuck in their own little world that anything outside…
Kihon Misunderstood: Where Tradition Ends and Practical Karate Begins.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) My word it is hard to get through to some people sometimes. . Karate basics are often misunderstood. What are called soto uke, gedan barai, uchi uke, jodan uke, and more – many see these as literal blocks, designed simply to stop an incoming attack. . But if you…
Kihon done right – seeing the purpose beyond tradition.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I wrote an article recently about keeping movements smaller and tighter to engage the kinetic chain. To stop exaggerating movements and making them too large. . Of course, there were comments saying you have to practice big first so you can become small later. Utter nonsense, of course. If…
Shrink the Motion, Reveal the Intent.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Over the years I’ve watched a lot of people perform kata, and one thing that often stands out is the size of the movements. . Arms swinging in wide arcs, steps that cover half the floor, hips turned so far that the intent of the technique gets lost. ….
The Hardest Lesson in Karate: Unlearning What We Thought We Already Knew.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) ‘Fighting’. If you think about it, it’s not difficult, is it? Most of us had scraps as kids, play fights with parents, siblings, or mates down the park. We all had a fight now and then. . Then we joined a karate club, and suddenly it became difficult. We…
Beyond Fighting: Building Safety Before Darkness Arrives.
(Approx 2 minute read) It’s interesting that in my articles about self-protection or self-defense, several comments suggest that many people simply don’t need it. . For clarity, in this article I use “self-protection” to describe all the measures we take to stay safe – awareness, avoidance, preparation, and mindset. “Self-defense” refers more specifically to the…
Standing on Shoulders of Giants: Forging a Personal Path in Karate.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) I’m often asked, “Who is your teacher?”, “What style is it you practice?”. Well, I like to say that I’m forging a personal path. . Ultimately, karate-ka who put in the training hours with the right teachers and mentors eventually end up doing their own thing, right? . After…
The Problem With Modern Karate: It Isn’t Self-Defense by Default.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Karate. Is it a sport, a way to develop character, self-defense, fitness, or more? . In the early stages of my karate journey, competitive fighting was my primary focus. I eagerly awaited the moment to face an opponent and hear the word “hajime”. Other aspects of karate held little…
The Enduring Value of Naihanchi: The Kata I Keep Returning To.
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) I’m sure many of you have a favorite kata. I have a few that just seem to sit well with me. One of those kata is Naihanchi. Simple in appearance but deep in application. It has a distinctive embusen compared to most other kata. . Gichin Funakoshi called the…
Lineage, Ego, and the Myth of Inherited Skill.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) People love to talk about lineage. Personally, I care more about ability. So, how important is lineage to you? . We all have a martial arts lineage of sorts. Some remain faithful to one, others, perhaps through no fault of their own, have several. There are those who believe…