(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) There are all sorts of great tips for improving your karate, but for many, the issue isn’t technical; it’s about presence. It’s not that you need to be perfect, but rather that your mind isn’t fully there. . You might find yourself distracted or tense, caught up in your […]
Inhale Presence, Exhale Tension: Grounded in Breath, Connected in Spirit. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) I often get asked, “How can I improve my karate?” The answer is very simple: ‘Practice’. . It never ceases to amaze me how some people will boldly say, “I’ve forgotten what you taught me.” This is not a failure of memory but of discipline. Improvement in karate –
The Missing Ingredient in your training: Dedication. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Has karate become nothing but a demonstration art? . Many people send me messages asking my thoughts on various karate videos, as I often write about realism and practical karate. This week, I watched a video of an instructor from Okinawa, demonstrating applications from kata. . To be honest,
Karate: Art or Illusion? No – Let’s Get Back to Reality. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) It’s astonishing to me that I need to clarify this further, something as straightforward as practical self-defense, yet here we are. Once again, the armchair enthusiasts seem unable to grasp the situation with any common sense. . To set the record straight: regarding the article where I was asked
Practical Self-Defense: Ditch the Drama and Embrace Reality. Sitting Pretty or Prepared? Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) While teaching at a Kyokushin dojo a little while ago, a Nidan there asked me about interpreting a specific move from the kata ‘Kanku’. . The Kyokushin version of the kata was not one I had practiced before, so we talked about how looking at one movement on its
Beyond the Isolated Movements: How Transitions Bring Kata to Life. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) It’s common practice to use Japanese terminology in the dojo. And in my opinion, it’s also important that you get it right. . There are so many posts on social media where an instructor has posted their Japanese-to-English terminology where there are glaring errors for all to see. .
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I recently wrote a couple of articles about going to the ground in self-defense. Many of the comments said that you’d better know how to fight on the ground because most altercations end up there. . Yes, you may end up on the ground, and it’s imperative you drill
Context: The Key to Effective Training Across Disciplines. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) You will perform the way you train. This principle holds across martial arts, sports, and virtually any skill-based activity or profession. Training shapes not only physical habits but also mental responses under pressure. . In response to one of my articles about an ill-advised self-defense technique performed for a
Under Pressure: The Way You Train is the Way You’ll Respond: Read More »
In 2005, the Okinawa Prefecture Assembly passed a resolution declaring October 25th ‘Karate no Hi’ (空手の日), or ‘the Day of Karate.’ This date carries profound significance, marking a day when Okinawa’s unique martial heritage, developed over centuries, was formally named ‘Karate’ – ‘empty hand’ – a term now familiar to enthusiasts around the world. .
Happy World Karate day. ‘Karate no Hi’ (空手の日). Read More »
(Approx 2 minutes 30 second read) Some people are incredibly territorial when it comes to the martial art they practice. The comments on my recent article about judo and self-defense sparked a storm of snarky responses – some from people who seemed genuinely upset, and others, who didn’t even bother reading the article before offering
The Ground: Think Twice Before You Go There! Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, I was asked to sit in on a grading where a student was being promoted from 1st to 2nd dan. When asked to perform self-defense the student performed several throws from judo, some from a kneeling position. . For me, this was not an ideal representation of a
Kneeling for a Throw? Staying Off the Ground in Self-defense. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) While there are always exceptions, thankfully, most of us today rarely face the need to use physical self-defense. . Recently, someone commented on one of my articles, suggesting that sparring is the ultimate test of self-defense because of its unpredictability. While sparring does offer some unpredictability, it is nowhere
