It’s the time of year for a “Rant”. . Imagine a shiny black-belt, dangling around someone’s waist like a “Master of Awesome” flag. Cool, right? Except, what if they got it for showing up to class a few times and making friends with the sensei’s dog? Kinda sad, don’t you think? . That’s the thing…
Tag: Style
It is useless to explain to a person who is already holding a conclusion.
If someone thinks that a lesson is useless, then teaching them will be a waste of time. If the desire doesn’t come from the inside, the person will just go through the motions.….. they will never truly learn or understand. . What I have found over the years is that some people just want to…
“Instead of being afraid of the challenge and failure, be afraid of avoiding the challenge and doing nothing.”
Someone made a comment on one of my articles that stated your not an instructor if you look to fail people for a black-belt test and break them down as individuals, that life is tough as it is. . While I understand this perspective, and it’s true that a positive and supportive learning environment is…
How many kata is “enough”?
How many kata is “enough”? . Of course this is very subjective. What are your goals in training? What are your goals in teaching? How many are contained in your syllabus? Etc. etc. . If you want your students to quickly learn self-defense skills, then a smaller amount is obviously going to be more efficient,…
“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…
“One need not destroy one’s enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.”
On social media and comments I receive on some of my articles, the perception of Mixed Martial Arts as the ultimate solution for ALL self-defense scenarios has reached new heights. With individuals who have never received any formal self-defense training, confidently declaring that MMA is the be-all and end-all in real-life confrontations. . MMA’s visibility…
“If there is effort, there is always accomplishment.”
In the martial arts, achieving the highest rank is a testament to an individual’s skill, dedication, and mastery. The 10th Dan represents the pinnacle of accomplishment. . However, the awarding of the 10th Dan has become a subject of intense debate and controversy within the karate community. . One of the key sources of contention…
“Shu Ha Ri”. Embrace, Transcend, Innovate.
Forging a personal path. . Ultimately karate-ka who put in the training hours with the right teachers and mentors, often end up ‘doing their own thing’. . Sometimes you will hear people say; “but it’s just made up”. Well yes, of course it is. Isn’t everything in the beginning? Everyone will be influenced by somebody…
“When I look around, I always learn something, and that is to be always yourself. And to express yourself. To have faith in yourself.”
Something different. . Bruce Lee, a cultural icon and martial arts legend, has left an indelible mark on the world of combat sports and martial arts. His innovative techniques, philosophical approach, and dedication to self-improvement continue to inspire and influence generations of martial artists. Bruce Lee had a profound impact on generations of martial arts…
“Attentively devote yourself to the meaning of each individual technique and make sure to apply them according to all possible circumstances.”
Renowned karate master Itosu Anko once wrote; “Attentively devote yourself to the meaning of each individual technique and make sure to apply them according to all possible circumstances.” . It’s very important that practitioners discover and understand underlying karate principles. Many movements have more than one function or expression. Although some motions do only have…
Through my years of training, the only thing I’ve learned is that I don’t know everything.
Martial arts, steeped in rich traditions and diverse styles, have evolved over centuries to become a fundamental part of many cultures. While the pursuit of mastery and personal growth are core tenets, it’s not uncommon to encounter martial artists who exhibit stubbornness when it comes to embracing something different. . One key reason for martial…
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.”
Personally I believe that analyzing kata and its applications from a logical or common sense perspective makes a compelling case for the best way to approach and dissect principles and techniques. . There is of course value in aesthetic, sporting and cultural aspects of karate and its kata – but for me, my main interest…