(Approx 2 minutes 10 second read) One of the first things you learn as a beginner is a ‘block’. . Typically, it’s one of these: upper, middle inner, middle outer, or a down block. . You spend a significant amount of time practicing these blocks, focusing on the small details, making sure your pulling hand…
Tag: Style
温故知新 On Ko Chi Shin — “Study the old, understand the new.”
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Within the structured world of the martial arts, a practitioner’s journey extends beyond expertise in techniques. It’s also about cultivating a personal expression – a unique blend of technical proficiency and individual interpretation. . This pursuit of one’s “martial voice” isn’t a rejection of established forms, but rather a…
“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…
From Complacency to Overconfidence: The Many Different Views of Traditional Karate.
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) It’s interesting that in my articles about self-protection or self-defense, several comments seem to indicate that many people just don’t prioritize self-defense. . Some commenters suggest that because they live in areas with little violence, they feel they don’t need the protection offered by realistic self-protection training. . Additionally,…
Delve deeper, for in asking the right questions, you’ll detect the absence of what truly matters.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) I used to love sport karate. In my late teens and twenties I just wanted to spar, fight in the dojo, and compete in tournaments. . In those early days, there was a stark contrast to the safety measures and equipment we see today. Those of us who have…
In the Shadows of Tradition: Challenging Misunderstandings in Karate.
(2 minute read) Karate often finds itself mired in misconceptions and misunderstandings. . How many times have you watched a video or responded to a comment and cringed at what you have just witnessed or read? . Unlike other arts like MMA, Judo, Boxing, jiu-jitsu, etc., which seem to have clear purposes and methodologies, karate…
The best fight is the one you avoid. So don’t start a fight you can’t finish, but if you do, finish it.
(1 minute 30 second read) If you’re like most people, you probably hope you’ll never face a self-defense situation. But being prepared is key. . Self-defense is a critical skill, but it’s important to understand it’s not about winning a fight. It’s about neutralizing a threat and escaping safely. . Those that keep reminding me…
“It’s not what you know, but what you do with what you know.”
(1 minute 55 second read) Practice has to go beyond rote repetition to a place of true comprehension and proficiency. . While repetition is undeniably important, without curiosity, how can you truly analyze your karate and delve into the depths of its principles, not just the techniques? . Curiosity is the key that unlocks a…
“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
(2 minute 30 second read) Many of the articles that I write are created to ask the reader to view, perhaps something different, and discuss the content in a polite discussion. . Yeah right, who am I kidding? This is social media. . An opinion is this: the beliefs of a single person based on…
Five Steps to Nowhere? The Hidden Flaw in Traditional Five Step Sparring.
(2 minute 26 second read) Punch, block, punch, block; moving backwards and forwards – prearranged step-sparring. . Learning the basics to become proficient requires repetition, over and over again. However, it’s crucial that basics are realistic, wouldn’t you agree? . The movements contained within karate were never meant to receive an attack from another martial…
“Before I pass my technique on to the student, first I have to understand what’s happening.”
(2 minute read) The comments on my articles often inspire me to write another, whether those comments are good or bad. Many are interesting and show a diverse understanding, and sometimes highlighting misunderstandings too. . So, thank you to everyone who follows and comments on my articles. . The foundation of any karate technique lies…
Many pioneers of karate inform us that the hand opposite to the striking hand is ‘doing something’.
(2 minutes 15 second read) It’s very common in traditional karate to see practitioners performing a technique, while pulling back/drawing back the other hand and placing it on the hip, or with the knife hand, across the abdomen. . In Japanese, the ‘pulling hand’ is called ‘hikite’, and it’s evident in most of the receiving…