“Gichin Funakoshi’s ideal, [..] was to advance from Jutsu to Do. It has become my mission to attain this goal.”

Karate is often suffixed by the terms ‘Jutsu’ or ‘Do’. Understanding these concepts is an important part of your training. . Many people comment on my articles that they don’t need self-defense skills, finding the character-building aspect more appealing. While each to their own, this separation limits their potential. . ‘Jutsu’, translating to ‘method’, refers…

The Commitment to Karate: Mind, Body, and the Power of Showing Up.

(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) Karate isn’t just about physical strength and being the best. It’s a journey that trains both your body and your mind. . A key part of this mental training is self-discipline, the ability to push through and do what’s necessary, even when it’s tough. . Let’s face it, most…

Master the toolbox, not just the hammer….

(1 minute 40 second read) Imagine a toolbox filled with tools; wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, these tools can fix many things….. but how you use them depends on the job. . The martial arts are like those tools – different methods have different goals. . Karate, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, MMA, Boxing – these are all different fighting…

“We frequently mistake persistence with a technique for its effectiveness, failing to acknowledge when it’s simply the wrong tool for the job.”

(1 minute 55 second read) Much of today’s martial arts training, often presents a romanticized image of combat. . You bow, assume stances, exchange strikes within a controlled environment, with padded hands and feet, possibly even head guards too. This structured approach fosters discipline, technique, protection, and respect – but does it truly prepare you…

Don’t confuse tournament prowess with real-world combat.

(1 minute 7 second read) Do you consider yourself someone who rises to challenges head-on? . While strength and courage are valuable traits, it’s crucial to understand that fighting shouldn’t be the first resort in resolving conflict. . Street fights are unpredictable and fraught with dangers: hidden weapons, unexpected allies, and potentially fatal environmental hazards….

“I perform strength training with the following philosophy in mind; great technique in kata can only be achieved with having a solid foundation of strength.”

(2 minute and 25 second read) 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 that gave rise to it. . Most people join a dojo to learn how to fight and/or defend themselves. But what few students realize…

My style of karate is the strongest.

Recently someone tried to argue with me that their style of karate was the strongest. Informing me that because their athletes were successful in competition going back to the 1960’s, it was the ultimate, the strongest, and the best martial art. . Karate, has evolved into a diverse and widespread discipline. It can be practiced…