“In budo karate we all train to make ourselves a better person. The only competition is within yourself.” – Tomoyose Ryuko (1928-2019) 10th dan Uechi Ryu . Masters of the martial arts believe that a strong body and mind go together: you can’t improve one without working on the other. Martial arts are just as…
Tag: Mind
“Friendship and cooperation are the most important part of karate.”
“Friendship and cooperation are the most important part of karate.” – Seikichi Iha 10th Dan Shorin Ryu Shidokan . Nothing feels more disappointing than watching your peers get promoted ahead of you – especially if you’ve been training the same amount of time or even longer. . Instead of throwing in the towel, or…
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Many people have conformed to accepting low-level information on their karate. Sticking with the punching, kicking, “blocking” and the step (insert number here) “kumite” we see in dojo everywhere. . For most people who are caught in the addiction-loop of consuming this low-quality information, it will take years to transform their brains into a state…
“..it’s not just about doing techniques, it’s also about training your heart and character..”
“When you practice karate of course you train the body, but it’s not just about doing techniques, it’s also about training your heart and character to be kind to people.” – Takehiro Gaja 9th dan Uechi-ryu . . The practice of martial arts is deeply rooted in philosophy, tradition, and culture. It teaches not only…
“Karate is not something so simple as to teach only fighting.”
“Karate is not something so simple as to teach only fighting.” – Kanei Uechi 10th dan Uechi Ryu (1911-1991) . . It is important for every student to be a good listener in the dojo. Much of what you will have to learn will be presented verbally, as well as demonstrated by your teachers. ….
Oku myo zai ren shin. “Practice with a good heart.”
Okinawan Karate Pioneers: Meitoku Yagi (1912-2003) learned Goju-ryu from its legendary founder Chojun Miyagi. . In 1963, Meitoku Yagi (often referred to as Dai Sensei Yagi), most senior student of Miyagi Sensei, was chosen by Miyagi Sensei’s family to receive the Menkyo Kaiden (naming him official successor of the system) along with the masters karate…
“To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person.”
“To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person.” – Bruce Lee . . But there’s a huge problem—finding enthusiastic, hard-working, dedicated students is not an easy task! . Most students quit. And students who don’t quit usually hold back. When I see a student giving half-hearted effort in class, I ask…
“Traditional karate does not depend upon youth and speed for its effectiveness.”
“Traditional karate does not depend upon youth and speed for its effectiveness; its strength comes from experience and hard training. In traditional (dento) karate people get stronger as they get older.” . Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan . . People in Okinawa live longer than almost anyone on earth. This Japanese region…
YOU’VE GOT YOUR BLACK BELT! GREAT…….
YOU’VE GOT YOUR BLACK BELT! GREAT……. . Now what? . You see, the day after you get your black belt, when all the partying and celebrations have stopped, you undoubtedly came to a pretty disturbing realization: . Nothing changes…. Let me repeat that…. Nothing changes. . You may have a few more bruises. Maybe even…
Do it Now! Sometimes later becomes never.
The martial arts have been my way of life, sometimes my profession, for many, many years. During that time, I’ve often been asked how a person can stay motivated. How does someone get up every morning and continue their training routine? How does a practitioner avoid becoming part of the majority, the people who give…
“My mission is to teach the true meaning of Okinawa karate.”
Whether you practice karate for fighting, competition, reality or self-defense, if that’s all you want from training then that is your choice. However, you could be missing out on all the other aspects that the traditional martial arts have to offer. . Since ancient times, the Ryukyu Kingdom has built an attractive traditional culture. In…
Your sensei is an EXTROVERT!
Teaching is a highly social profession, so it would follow that all teachers are extroverts, right? Wrong. . Many successful teachers are self-described introverts, and one of the biggest misconceptions about this personality type is that they’re shy. . Introversion is more about how you respond to stimulation, including social stimulation. Where as extroverts really…