(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I was watching a video recently of bunkai performed at a tournament in Japan. . It was the usual two against one format. The individuals performing the applications were incredibly athletic, the choreography was really impressive, their techniques crisp, the timing and techniques impeccable. . It was really fun…
Tag: Style
Why Some People Seek to Learn but Never Change.
eople (Approx 2 minute 40 second read) I’ve taught quite a few people over the last 50 years or so that I have been involved in the martial arts. By now, regulars to my Page, and even those who aren’t, can probably tell that I prefer my karate to be practical and pragmatic. . Sometimes…
More Than a Block: One Movement, Many Uses.
(Approx 3 minute read) A friend of mine recently posted an image of a downward block, or gedan barai, to show it could do something most people never expect: in this case, a throw. . For clarity, he placed text alongside the image that said, ‘Gedan Barai is not a block’. Oh crikey, I know…
Good Teachers Are Measured by What They Inspire, Not What They Need to Prove.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) In a recent article I wrote about lineage, one of the comments I received said, “The worth of a teacher is not measured by the fame of their lineage, but by the depth of their understanding, their ability to transmit, and their humanity.” . He added, “…what truly matters:…
Kihon Misunderstood: Where Tradition Ends and Practical Karate Begins.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) My word it is hard to get through to some people sometimes. . Karate basics are often misunderstood. What are called soto uke, gedan barai, uchi uke, jodan uke, and more – many see these as literal blocks, designed simply to stop an incoming attack. . But if you…
Kihon done right – seeing the purpose beyond tradition.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I wrote an article recently about keeping movements smaller and tighter to engage the kinetic chain. To stop exaggerating movements and making them too large. . Of course, there were comments saying you have to practice big first so you can become small later. Utter nonsense, of course. If…
Shrink the Motion, Reveal the Intent.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Over the years I’ve watched a lot of people perform kata, and one thing that often stands out is the size of the movements. . Arms swinging in wide arcs, steps that cover half the floor, hips turned so far that the intent of the technique gets lost. ….
The Hardest Lesson in Karate: Unlearning What We Thought We Already Knew.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) ‘Fighting’. If you think about it, it’s not difficult, is it? Most of us had scraps as kids, play fights with parents, siblings, or mates down the park. We all had a fight now and then. . Then we joined a karate club, and suddenly it became difficult. We…
Standing on Shoulders of Giants: Forging a Personal Path in Karate.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) I’m often asked, “Who is your teacher?”, “What style is it you practice?”. Well, I like to say that I’m forging a personal path. . Ultimately, karate-ka who put in the training hours with the right teachers and mentors eventually end up doing their own thing, right? . After…
The Enduring Value of Naihanchi: The Kata I Keep Returning To.
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) I’m sure many of you have a favorite kata. I have a few that just seem to sit well with me. One of those kata is Naihanchi. Simple in appearance but deep in application. It has a distinctive embusen compared to most other kata. . Gichin Funakoshi called the…
Lineage, Ego, and the Myth of Inherited Skill.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) People love to talk about lineage. Personally, I care more about ability. So, how important is lineage to you? . We all have a martial arts lineage of sorts. Some remain faithful to one, others, perhaps through no fault of their own, have several. There are those who believe…
The Map and the Mnemonic: What Kata Really Teach.
(Approx 2 minute read) Most people look at kata and see “blocking”. It’s the word everyone recognizes, drilled into beginners from day one. But kata teach far more than simply stopping a strike. A more accurate term is “receiving”. . So what does it mean to receive rather than block? . It’s common for less…