(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) I often get asked this question: “How can I improve my karate?” The answer is really very simple: practice. . Yes, of course, you need a good teacher. And if you’re lucky enough to find one, make sure you go the extra mile to learn from them. . If […]
Beyond the Dojo: Dedication in Practice, One Notebook at a Time. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) When I started karate in the 1970s I was in awe of the Japanese instructors that were around at the time in the UK. . They exuded power, focus and precision that I could only dream of attaining. . But there came a time during the beginning of the 1980s that
Tradition, Technique, and Truth: When Karate Doesn’t Adapt to Real-Life Threats. Read More »
There are instructors who teach you how to learn the techniques of karate, making them inch perfect, and there are instructors who teach the techniques alongside the underlying principles. Helping you find a deeper understanding. . But to truly grasp all that karate has to offer – for genuine proficiency – I believe you also
In the Silence, the Lessons Begin: A Reminder That the Sensei Won’t Always Be There. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) No one today has experienced a time when there were no karate styles. . One of the most significant changes in karate’s history was the creation of different styles and the formation of a standard and a terminology everyone understood. A shift that was necessary in order to teach
Training for Purpose: Your Karate, Your Choice. Choose wisely. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I often receive comments on my articles that tell me that you don’t need self-defense, you’re never going to need it. Just practice for fun and competition. . Er, no. . As an example, literally a block away from me this morning at 6:30am, there was a carjacking. A
Guard Up? Think Again: A Stark Reminder of Self-Defense Reality. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Kenwa Mabuni, one of Okinawa’s great karate masters, once said, “The karate that has spread to Tokyo is incomplete. Those who believe that karate consists only of kicks and punches, and think throws and joint locks are exclusive to judo or jujutsu, have been misinformed. We should have an
The Missing Pieces: Beyond Judo. The Forgotten Throwing and Grappling of Karate. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Years ago, while I was living in the UK, someone trespassed into my garden. I heard a noise and went outside to investigate. There he was, perched in a tree. I gave him a piece of my mind, to which he shouted back, ‘Come and get me, old man!’
Just Know – Old Age and Treachery Will Always Outsmart Youth and Enthusiasm. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Let’s start the New Year by addressing (again) something that so many people seem to get wrong, especially on social media. . The increasing use of the word ‘Osu’ (or ‘Oss’, or a million other incarnations) has become strangely common. It’s often used as a catch-all greeting or acknowledgment.
Respecting Cultural Context: ‘Osu’: It Isn’t Always Appropriate. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) A comment on my recent article where I was pushed into the road while out for a run read: “Well written but your first mistake was not crossing the road in anticipation, but sometimes in life our senses do not tell us.” . It’s a valid observation, but it highlights an
The Road Ahead: The Choices We Make in the Moment. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) What does personal protection mean today? Let’s face it, it often has little to do with what happens in most martial arts classes. . If you’re thinking about self-protection and you’ve got no choice but to fight, you need to act. Take control, dominate the attacker, and get out.
The Road Home: Staying Safe, One Step at a Time. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) The beginning of a New Year is a time when many set resolutions and goals, hoping to start strong and make meaningful changes. Yet, so often, these aspirations fall by the wayside. Why? Life gets in the way, and for many, the mental resilience to push through challenges hasn’t
Where Commitment Finds a Home: Dedication. Read More »
The journey in the martial arts, like life, is not just about physical techniques. It’s about the personal growth that comes with the process. When you commit to the path, you’re committing to becoming a better person, day by day, year by year. . It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of others or
The Martial Arts Are Like a Mirror: They Reflect Your Strengths and your Weaknesses. Read More »
