“Now use head for something other than target.” ~ Nariyoshi Miyagi Miyago-do Karate . . When people don’t understand things, they often find it easier to create their own explanations rather than to actually find out the real explanation. We see this all the time, in every part of society. . To psychologists, this behavior…
Tag: Motivation
A goal is not always meant to be reached.
“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” ~ Bruce Lee . Gichin Funakoshi’s tenth precept is; “Put Karate into your everyday life and you will find its subtle secrets.” . . There are lessons that are learnt in the dojo that we can apply…
“Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.” – Spirit before technique.
Karate is a way of life, a way of reality. I have committed over 46 years of my life to the study, practice and teaching of karate. I am convinced that karate has much to offer today in the 21st century as it did many years ago. True karate is the training of body, mind…
“You can’t demonstrate great power unless you are relaxed.”
“Smile and relax. You can’t demonstrate great power unless you are relaxed.” ~ Yoshimi Inoue Soke – Inoue-ha Shito-ryu Keishin-kai (1946-2015) . . TENSION ≠ POWER . We often associate physical tension such as a contracted muscle with power. In pure physical terms, the larger and stronger a muscle, the greater the force it can…
“The meaning of the directions in kata is not well understood.”
“The meaning of the directions in kata is not well understood, and frequently mistakes are made in the interpretation of kata movements. In extreme cases, it is sometimes heard that “this kata moves in 8 directions so it is designed for fighting 8 opponents” or some such nonsense.” . Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) founder of Shito-Ryu…
“You have to look more deeply to understand.”
理解するにはもっと深く見なければなりません – (Rikai suru ni wa motto fukaku minakereba narimasen) – “You have to look more deeply to understand.” ~ Kenyu Chinen 9th dan Okinawa Shorin-Ryu . . . Many martial arts masters and practitioners believe that you cannot truly understand a martial art form without understanding and respecting the country, culture and history…
OKINAWAN KARATE. THE ORIGINAL MMA. . We are all human. Therefore, every style is limited to the same movements. The only difference is in the method of training. Karate originated on the island of Okinawa, a melting pot of combative knowledge. Combined with their native form of wrestling (Tegumi), Okinawan karate began as an effective…
Nothing ever grows in the comfort zone.
“Everyone knows that karate is a martial art. But few people know what art really means. Art is not something you hang on the wall, art is something you do, and it always involves a learning process. The problem is, some people hate learning. I know why! Because to learn something new means admitting that…
Trust the quality of what you know, not the quantity.
“Some falsely believe that mastery and progress come by knowing as many kata as possible. In the older days, one knew only about two or three at the most. Even to use one kata properly and efficiently is not an easy task. One must remember that it is quality over quantity when practicing any kata.”…
“Ichi-go ichi-e”
Ichi-go ichi-e – ( 一期一会) “Ichi-go ichi-e” – literally “one time, one meeting”, is a Japanese term that is originally associated with the Japanese tea ceremony. It describes a cultural concept of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment. The term has been translated as “for this time only,” and “once in a lifetime.” The…
Karate is not only physical techniques but a philosophy of life.
“Karate is not only physical techniques but a philosophy of life. Age is not important for someone who really wants to train in karate. Karate is a life journey, not a destination. It’s only when we look at it as a destination that we will stop training.” ?? ~ Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu…
Okinawa is the birthplace of karate.
“Some people say that karate is moving zen. The mind is the most powerful weapon I have. I was in karate from 9 years old. I spent my life learning the techniques, now I am 72 (76 in Aug 2020). I am the highest master in all of Okinawa. Karate helped me to be a…