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…
Tag: Strength
“I’ve always tried to put everything in actual use. I try to find the secret within the kata and then express it within my techniques.”
“Every day, there is a new discovery. Rather than merely hitting this way or hitting that way, i’m interested now in trying to evolve the foundations of my practice.” – Kenji Yamaki . You can learn all the technical skills you want, all the theories and concepts down to the core. But what’s the point…
Just how bad (or good) are untrained people at fighting?
Just how bad (or good) are untrained people at fighting? . Karate was originally created to protect yourself from civilian attacks….. “villain or ruffian”. (Ankoh Itosu precept quote) . Of course, it depends what we mean by untrained. There are plenty of people who learn how to fight from getting into fights. . A lot…
“My karate is stronger, tougher, more athletic, it is the ultimate…. It is superior to yours!”
“My karate is stronger, tougher, more athletic, it is the ultimate…. It is superior to yours!” . Really? It’s superior, in all things?….. . You have to define what you mean by “superior”. I’m assuming that when people say “superior”, they mean the best in terms of effectiveness and practicality…… But superior? WHERE? In the…
“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.”
As you get older I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking about your own mortality. Recently I certainly have. The things I was capable of doing when I was younger seem so far away now. And living in a violent society made me wonder how much aging changes all of the body’s cells, tissues, and…
“Power is created in a combination of correct respiratory breathing and correct posture.”
In many kata, and indeed the techniques of karate, there should be a great deal of emphasis placed on abdominal breathing. That is, in which you are supposed take very deep, audible, abdominal breaths, synchronized with foot and hand motions. . If we take Sanchin kata as an example, many students I have witnessed practicing…
Karate is NOT only a striking art.
When karate began to move across the world in the early to mid 1950’s the training emphasis was almost exclusively on striking. Kata was not properly understood. . Even today you can still find karate dojo that teach kata without ‘bunkai’ (analysis/breakdown). Those first generation Western practitioners then went on to perpetuate the bias of…
Does size give people an advantage in a fight?
I had a question from a potential student this week who was concerned over his (low) weight and how effective certain styles were for him. . Does size give people an advantage in a fight? . Size does matter in the martial arts, but not necessarily in the way you might think. . Generally speaking,…
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
If you want to be skilled at karate, do what skilled karate people do: train each day! If you get into the habit of daily training, you will surprise yourself with how much progress you can make. . I often get asked “how can I improve my karate?” The answer is really very simple…… Practice….
My karate is SUPERIOR to yours.
My karate is stronger, tougher, more athletic…. it’s superior to yours! . Really? It’s superior in all things?….. . You have to define what you mean by “superior”. I’m assuming that when people say a “superior karate style”, they mean the best in terms of effectiveness and practicality…… But superior, WHERE? In the dojo? In…
There is NOT one system or style that is the best or ‘strongest’.
Recently someone tried to argue that their style of karate was the strongest. Bluntly 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. I tried to explain that there is not one style that is the best in…
Indulging in hate and revenge is like drinking saltwater, the thirst can only grow
Sometimes the best thing you can do is not ruminate, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. . At times, we struggle amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, so much so, that we get frustrated and are completely unaware of which way to go. Life is not going to happen according to you….