(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Respect for your teacher is paramount and following instructions are instilled from day one. But does this culture of respect sometimes stifle learning? Could unwavering reverence prevent students from fully understanding what they’re taught? . I bring this up because, when I started training in 1974 under a Japanese…
Tag: Self-Defense
The Evolution of Karate: Tradition and the Search for Authenticity.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Recently, I received a message about an article I had written, which was about the karate being taught after WWII and propagated across the US and to the rest of the world. . The message said that their karate was immune to superficiality because they had regular visits back…
In every challenge that age brings, we find the opportunity to redefine strength – not as brute force, but as the clarity of thought and spirit.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, I had a conversation with one of my senior students. Both of us are in our sixties now, reflecting on what happens when time begins to slow us down. As martial artists, we know that no amount of training can stop the effects of aging. We’ve gained wisdom…
Karate Across Oceans: The Challenges of Depth in Transmission.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Karate’s journey from Okinawa to the US was largely shaped by American servicemen stationed in Okinawa and Japan after World War II. Many were eager to learn, but with limited time and significant cultural barriers, one might wonder: Was the depth and nuance of traditional karate truly passed on,…
Understanding Kata: Principles Over Techniques.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Many applications of kata focus too heavily on the individual techniques – the limb movements shown in the kata – while neglecting the underlying principles that give those techniques life. . When you focus only on specific techniques, kata often seems to be just a sequence of moves to…
Resistance is NOT Futile: Facing Reality – Showing, Preparing, and Practicing Resistance in Your Training.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) There is so much phony self-defense out there: demonstrations in which a defender successfully intercepts an attack – a punch, a kick, or a knife stab – and then “destroys” the attacker with ease. . The defense just wouldn’t work against anyone other than a cooperating partner – and…
Think Twice: Before You Throw a Punch, Learn Restraint When Fighting Is All You Know.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) If you know me or have read my articles, you probably already know that I prefer my karate to be practical and pragmatic. But on occasion, I write from a more philosophical side, aiming to add some balance and hopefully encourage readers to think and question. . It’s a…
“So I got no illusions about boxing, none. This is a brutal business. It’s the hurt business. But I’m a fighter – that’s all I can do.”
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) The martial arts is about more than just fighting. It’s about learning to use your mind as your greatest weapon, staying calm in difficult situations, and making clear, rational decisions under pressure. Fighting, kicking, and punching are part of it, but you should strive to be much more than…
The First Step: Why Do Many Kata Start to the Left?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) I was asked a great question: “Do all kata start with a move to the left? Are there any kata that start to the right?” . Many beginners learn kata such as ‘Fukyugata’, ‘Gekisai’, and the ‘Pinan’ kata, which all share one commonality – the first movement goes left….
Karate for Kids: Beyond Self-Defense – Building Confidence, Resilience and Responsibility
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) One of the most heart-wrenching challenges for any parent is watching their child become the victim of bullying. It can leave parents feeling powerless, desperately searching for ways to protect their child. Many turn to kids’ martial arts classes, hoping it will equip their child with the skills to…
Fighting without compassion is just violence, fighting with it is true martial arts.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) The martial arts seen by many as being centered around combat and physical confrontation. . It’s in the name, after all – yet that’s only a small fraction of the truth. . When people think of martial arts, they often imagine aggressive individuals wanting to fight. But for those…
Naihanchi: Absent from Competition, Essential for Practical Application.
(Approx 2 minute read) Naihanchi kata, simple in appearance but profound in application. Its name is commonly interpreted as “sideways fighting”, referencing the kata’s distinctive embusen. Although other interpretations also exist. . Gichin Funakoshi, renamed the kata ‘Tekki’ (Iron Horse), honoring his teacher Anko Itosu and emphasizing its strength and stability. While the precise origins…