(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) What many people call traditional karate had its inception at the beginning of the 20th century. The method of practice changed almost completely with its introduction to mainland Japan in the 1930s. . Today, that is what most people think about when having conversations about traditional karate. . Using…
Tag: Self-Protection
Sparring Isn’t Self-Defense: You Must Understand the Difference.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) I often receive messages from people that say that in their dojo, or school, their instructor doesn’t teach bunkai applications – or are not very realistic. . This isn’t unusual. Many instructors were brought up on the idea that you shouldn’t question. You just did as you were told….
The Surface and the Core: What Karate Has Become – and What It Was Meant to Be.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) A question for the instructors out there: what do most of the students who come into your dojo want? . I stopped and asked all my young and beginner students this question a while back. Without exception, they answered that they wanted some form of self-defense – something to…
Kata Isn’t the Problem – Misunderstanding It Is. Stop Blaming Kata. Start Asking the Right Questions.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I never thought I’d enjoy writing articles as much as I do, but some of the comments are so incredibly misinformed they keep me fired up and ready to write again. . One comment from a Kyokushin shodan sums up, I think, what any serious practical karate enthusiast knows…
Training Awareness – It’s Not What You See – It’s What You Notice.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) My recent article on awareness someone asked me, “But how do you train awareness?” . They expect a drill. A pattern. Something they can rehearse on the mats. But awareness isn’t a technique you run through a few times before bowing out. It’s not something you add on top…
Look Again: It’s the Small Details That Matter. Awareness Doesn’t Clock Off.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) I’m going to start this article with a simple analogy. . You’re making decisions – judgements – based on what you see, hear, and feel. But what happens when you’re missing something? . How can your choices be sound if crucial information isn’t even on your radar? . So,…
Karate Solely as Meditation? Why That Worries Me.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I often wonder why people visit my Page, and feel the need to comment – when it seems they have no interest in the practical side of karate. . One particular comment stood out from a person that said he’s been training in Shotokan for nearly 30 years and…
Karate That Grabs: It’s Not For Show, It’s For Survival.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) In a recent article, I explored how some people view karate as a performance art. They often believe that the perfect execution of a kata is the ultimate goal – the pursuit of a flawless performance. . But why do they think this? And does it actually make sense?…
Martial Arts Without the Martial: Where Did the Combat Go?
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) I came across a quote recently that made me stop and think. It said: “The martial arts is not just a process for training fighters. Fighting is of least importance. What is important is the growth in the student’s physical structure, mental discipline, and emotional control.” . Now, while…
The Shadow in the Mirror: Not So Different – Just Seen Through Another Lens.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The guy from the other day who suggested I “stop with the crap and go do some real training” got me thinking – not about what he said, but about how common this attitude is. . So many people who comment on my articles practice modern disciplines and openly…
Violence Doesn’t Care Where You Live.
(Approx 2 minute read) The comments on my articles are often fascinating. Sometimes they’re insightful, sometimes frustrating – but every now and then, they give me something else to write about. . Here we go with this gem: “If you need self-defense in your neighborhood, perhaps it’s time you switched neighborhoods.” . It sounds clever…
Naihanchi Is Not Everything. But it’s a Great Place to Start.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Naihanchi – one of my favourite kata. . Filled with close-range fighting and grappling techniques. It’s probable that Itosu believed Naihanchi to be so effective that, even if it was the only kata a student ever learnt, they would still become an able fighter. . The phrase “Everything is…