The quest for the original kata. . In modern times it seems to have become important that students learn kata “as it was taught originally”. . But what is original?….. The fact is we don’t know what the original kata looked like. And which original do you seek? . As an example it is known…
Tag: Motivation
“Karate has many stances; it also has none”.
“Karate has many stances; it also has none”. – Genwa Nakasone (1895-1978) . In the dojo there is so much time spent perfecting a static stance, almost to the nth degree. But a common complaint about karate, and its kata, is that the stances are impractical, that one would never use such stances in a…
“Don’t practice until you get it right… Practice until you can’t get it wrong!”
“Don’t practice until you get it right… Practice until you can’t get it wrong!”… Roger Gracie . Training is how you get stronger or fitter. Practice is how you get better. The saying is “practice makes perfect”, but the truth is that; “practice makes permanent”. Simply doing something over and over, doesn’t make you good…
“Kata is Karate.”
“Kata is Karate.” – Naonobu Ahagon 10th Dan Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo, holder of the Okinawa Prefecture Cultural Merit Award. . Kata is a library of self-protection techniques in karate. Each kata creator encoded their specific knowledge into each movement of the kata they made. Kata are not simply a record of techniques; rather…
What makes a great martial arts teacher?
“My old ways of Karate was not readily accepted by everyone. They thought it was too outdated and too crude – I think it was just too hard or maybe my training methods were too severe. Whatever it was, it was the way I learned and the way I taught. It was only later, when…
“The wrong time to learn to meditate is when you’re stressed.”
“The wrong time to learn to meditate is when you’re stressed. It’s a bit like trying to learn martial arts in the middle of a fight. Practice daily, find that totally still place inside that is like a ‘reset’ button and puts everything into perspective. Like martial arts, all its takes is consistent, daily practice.”…
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” – Epictetus . There are situations that arise in which we wish to influence other people and make them understand something that we believe to be important. . But no matter how hard we try, we cannot force people to…
Can you block a punch?
Can you block a punch? . As an experiment, I told one of my students where I was going to strike him, which hand I was going to use, and the type of strike I intended to try and hit him with. I asked him to block it….. Nine times out of ten, he couldn’t….
Ever wanted to get revenge?
“Karate is not for a rank, glory or for revenge. It is way of life: A way to protect yourself, a way to build health, and a way to bring people together.“ – Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan . Ever wanted to get revenge? . The first thing many of us think of…
“Sword and mind must be united. Technique by itself is insufficient, and spirit alone is not enough.”
“Sword and mind must be united. Technique by itself is insufficient, and spirit alone is not enough.” – Yamada Jirokichi (1863-1930) . One of the most important benefits of martial arts training is that it teaches practitioners how to maintain focus. . Martial arts has a lot to do with our mental state in order…
“NO!… Try not!… DO or DO NOT, there is no try.”
“It is not how much you have learned, but how much you have absorbed in what you have learned.” – Bruce Lee . Most people try but some of them just don’t get there…… The reason…. Because they are only trying. . Using the verb “to try” in your sentences is self-sabotage, because before trying…
What does it mean to leave a legacy?
“I hope that the next generations will not only improve technically but also know how to share their knowledge. People must pass on the traditions and not lose them.” – Teruo Chinen 9th dan Goju Ryu (1941-2015) . What does it mean to leave a legacy? . In simple terms, a legacy is passed from…