“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 […]
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
“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.” Read More »
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
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
Karate is NOT only a striking art. Read More »
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,
Does size give people an advantage in a fight? Read More »
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.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Read More »
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
My karate is SUPERIOR to yours. Read More »
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
There is NOT one system or style that is the best or ‘strongest’. Read More »
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.
Indulging in hate and revenge is like drinking saltwater, the thirst can only grow Read More »
“Karate is another reason for being fit. I can prove to you I can still perform karate at my age.” – Nakahodo Tsutomu 10th dan Uechi Ryu, born 1933. . What is conditioning? . Conditioning training is a ‘keyword’ that is often interchanged with the word ‘fitness.’ You’ll often hear martial artists talk about what
What is conditioning? Read More »
Hard work always pays dividends. The amount of effort expended to reach a goal determines what you achieve. There are those however, who like to take shortcuts. . The poor work ethic shows in how you see life. It also shows in how you treat others, and the conditions of life you expect from them.
“Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.“ Read More »
“Always, whenever possible, stop thinking negatively, always think positively.” (End Quote) – Yoshizo Machida 8th Dan Shotokan . . Anxiety and fear can stop you dead in your tracks and hold you back. It’s not easy to face your fears and push through them, but for the martial arts, it is essential. . Fear keeps
“Always, whenever possible, stop thinking negatively, always think positively.” Read More »
