(1 minute 55 second read) It’s a familiar sight in any karate dojo: students you see today might be gone tomorrow. Life throws curveballs, and sometimes karate falls off the priority list. . There are so many adults that regret quitting the martial arts when they are young. I can almost guarantee that anyone who…
Tag: Mind
Why do you keep saying “OSU”?
(2 minute 10 second read) Communication can sometimes be ambiguous, especially on social media or in messages, when it involves terms or phrases that have different meanings or cultural connotations depending on the context. . The energetic ‘Osu’ is a familiar sound in karate circles. In many instances it’s meant to convey perseverance, respect, and…
“I haven’t trained enough yet. I have clear images of many Sensei from long ago, and those are my goals.”
(2 minute 17 second read) We shouldn’t just do martial arts; we should contemplate them deeply. Keiko (稽古) often translated as “practice”, has two kanji, the first Kei (稽) meaning ‘to think or to consider’. The second, ko (古) means ‘old’. . When we perform keiko, we are refining and considering the things that came…
“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
(2 minute 30 second read) Many of the articles that I write are created to ask the reader to view, perhaps something different, and discuss the content in a polite discussion. . Yeah right, who am I kidding? This is social media. . An opinion is this: the beliefs of a single person based on…
Many pioneers of karate inform us that the hand opposite to the striking hand is ‘doing something’.
(2 minutes 15 second read) It’s very common in traditional karate to see practitioners performing a technique, while pulling back/drawing back the other hand and placing it on the hip, or with the knife hand, across the abdomen. . In Japanese, the ‘pulling hand’ is called ‘hikite’, and it’s evident in most of the receiving…
“Without context words and actions have no meaning at all.”
(1 minute 45 second read) “Without context words and actions have no meaning at all.” . This is a major problem today where so many individuals, many without experience of other martial arts, confuse their own ‘way’ as the one and only ‘way’. . Cricket is an amazing sport, but would a cricket player excel…
“Know the cause of your ignorance.”
(1 minute 35 second read) Have you ever encountered someone who seems completely stuck in their ways? Someone who refuses to consider any viewpoint but their own? That’s the hallmark of a closed mind. . And boy, have I had a few of these in the comments on my articles lately. . A closed-minded person…
WHAT?… Self-defense is not necessary?
(1 minute 45 second read) Recent comments on one of my articles, dismissed self-defense as unnecessary; “self defense never really necessary – [snip] – if someone want to rob my wallet or phone with knife, I will just give them away”. . Good tactics, but what if they want more? What if you are in…
Memorization Isn’t Enough: Master the Art of Using, Analyzing, and Adapting Your Skills.
(1 minute 35 second read) Just like any other pursuit, true learning in the martial arts goes beyond rote memorization. It’s not about simply accumulating facts, but about developing the ability to use, analyze, and adapt the skills you’re taught. . Rote memorization may have its place in the initial stages of learning, providing a…
Are you Speaking the Language of Karate? Then Get it Right from the Start.
(1 minute 48 second read) Do you use Japanese terminology in your dojo? . I always tell my students that karate originated from Okinawa and Japan, thus it is common to use Japanese terminology and other cultural aspects in the dojo. . But why bother? What difference does it make? There are many dojo where…
Sensei Under Fire: The Unexpected Downside of Karate Titles.
(2 minute 28 second read) If often receive damming comments when I write an article which has anything to do with belts, grades or titles. . The whole system of awarding belts, grades and titles, seems to be a sensitive topic for many karate practitioners….. and for those that don’t practice. . The “Shogo” (称号)…
It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate.
(2 minute 4 second read) It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate. . ‘Shodan’ (初段), first-degree (first-level) black-belt, is the bedrock of your karate practice. It’s the foundation you build upon, the launchpad for your continued development. . Earning your Shodan signifies the completion of your initial training,…