Teaching is the act of sharing the knowledge we have been given by others – as Tomiyama Sensei reminds us – with the hope that someday, in some way, it again will be passed on and shared. . The journey from one generation to the next is not just about preserving movements, techniques, or tradition […]
(Approx 3 minute read) There are so many different opinions about what karate is, where it came from, and what it was actually used for. Who’s right? . We have a few snippets from history – newspaper articles, a few books written at the time – but even these have their limitations. Everything written was
Karate in Context: Guided by History, Defined by Purpose. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) When you look into kata and their applications, breaking things down, you usually look at individual techniques, sometimes obsessing over what’s going on in a specific movement. . You probably consider the terminology of a technique too, using it to try and work out how a series of moves
The Bigger Picture: Principles and Concepts in Motion – The True Gift of Kata. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 30 second read) “If you know the Way broadly, you will see it in everything.” – Miyamoto Musashi . Someone commented on one of my articles saying that practical karate people are just looking for moves in MMA to match what they do. . Actually, no. That’s the wrong way around. You
“If you know the Way broadly, you will see it in everything.” Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 30 second read) We’ve all been there. Sometimes, you just need to close a door – not because you’re too proud, incapable, or arrogant, but because it simply doesn’t take you where you need to go. . The feeling that not every door that opens is worth walking through. Sure, some might
The Next Step: Finding Opportunity Beyond Closed Doors – It Could Lead to a New Path. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) The other day, I received a comment on an article where I wrote about practices that lack any connection to real-world scenarios, where drills such as yakusoku, renzoku, or sanbon/gohon kumite, etc., are very unlikely, especially when attacking from six feet away using an Oi-zuki. . He stated that
From Boat to Battlefield: Understanding the True Purpose of Karate. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) When I started karate in the 1970s I was in awe of the Japanese instructors that were around at the time in the UK. . They exuded power, focus and precision that I could only dream of attaining. . But there came a time during the beginning of the 1980s that
Tradition, Technique, and Truth: When Karate Doesn’t Adapt to Real-Life Threats. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) No one today has experienced a time when there were no karate styles. . One of the most significant changes in karate’s history was the creation of different styles and the formation of a standard and a terminology everyone understood. A shift that was necessary in order to teach
Training for Purpose: Your Karate, Your Choice. Choose wisely. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Kenwa Mabuni, one of Okinawa’s great karate masters, once said, “The karate that has spread to Tokyo is incomplete. Those who believe that karate consists only of kicks and punches, and think throws and joint locks are exclusive to judo or jujutsu, have been misinformed. We should have an
The Missing Pieces: Beyond Judo. The Forgotten Throwing and Grappling of Karate. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Let’s start the New Year by addressing (again) something that so many people seem to get wrong, especially on social media. . The increasing use of the word ‘Osu’ (or ‘Oss’, or a million other incarnations) has become strangely common. It’s often used as a catch-all greeting or acknowledgment.
Respecting Cultural Context: ‘Osu’: It Isn’t Always Appropriate. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) There comes a point in time, after many years of hard work, teaching, and dedicated training, when instructors begin to entertain the idea of going it alone. It’s a natural progression in any art or profession. After decades of practice and immersion, the question arises: What’s next? . What
The Crossroads of Independence: Breaking Free and Knowing When It’s Time to Go Alone. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) Can you remember starting a martial arts class as a beginner? I can, even though it was way back in 1974. . If you’ve never experienced any form of martial art or physical fighting activity, it can feel overwhelming – like stepping into an entirely new world. Starting out can be
The Beginning of Transformation: The Path Ahead Starts Here. Read More »
