Creating your own style of martial art. . Why is this frowned upon? What makes us any different from the old masters? Didn’t they spend time with several teachers and then after a time, “go out on their own”? . Understanding our lineage, and the traditions that have been passed down over generations is of…
Tag: Style
Karate is a mess.
Karate is a mess. . Even today in the 21st century people still refute what karate is, and sometimes what it isn’t. The majority of modern karate is plagued by dogma. No one seems to know what they are training for and in which context. . Practitioners cling to other people’s ideas with almost religious-like…
“A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist.”
“A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. Being a black belt is a state of mind and attitude.” – Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) . Many people feel like they deserve the belt, deserve the rank (I don’t like the term ‘rank’ btw). “I can beat this guy, I can…
“I always say that it is not about grade, but about substance.”
“I always say that it is not about grade, but about substance. Even if wearing a white belt, doing your best is what matters most. This is what I try to pass on.” – Yasuhiro Uema 9th dan Shubukan Shorin Ryu . If you are visiting another dojo outside of your group, or changing…
“Kata have been around for centuries.”
“Kata have been around for centuries. I can certify their effectiveness without having to transform anything. They must be seriously studied.” (End quote) – Masaji Taira 9th dan Goju-Ryu . Teachers undoubtedly have the ability to change the lives of their students. Most of us can remember a particular teacher that helped shape who we…
Are there “cults” in the martial arts?
Are there “cults” in the martial arts? . I regularly have interactions with people who refer to their style or school as the strongest or the best, a genuine fighting style. They insist their style or school is authentic, and that it follows a lineage back to the creator of that style. It led me…
Does every martial art teach respect and discipline?
Does every martial art teach respect and discipline? . Something that most people do not realize is that the discipline and respect that comes from martial arts, does not come from the style they train in, but the teacher they have. . In martial arts, students will develop those virtues because their teacher is good…
The quest for the original kata.
The quest for the original kata. . In modern times it seems to have become important that students learn kata “as it was taught originally”. . But what is original?….. The fact is we don’t know what the original kata looked like. And which original do you seek? . As an example it is known…
The goal is to live a life that avoids violence, not encourage it.
Whether you’re a Karate practitioner, MMA fighter, combat fighter or any other competition martial artist, you train for are a very specific arena, dealing with very specific parameters. Outside in the real-world, if you use those parameters, oftentimes you will find unskilled people, who just have the ability to want to hurt you, are going…
My karate is stronger than yours!
My karate is stronger than yours! . Really? You think so? . It’s essential to define what people mean by “strongest”. I’m assuming that when people are looking for the strongest karate styles, they mean strongest in terms of effectiveness and practicality. But strongest, WHERE? In the dojo? In a ring? In a competition? In…
The difficulty of preserving tradition.
The difficulty of preserving tradition. . (begin quote) “It is very difficult to keep tradition, not only in karate do, but also in other martial arts. In order to do so, both teachers and students seriously need to do their best. Students need to have an understanding of karate while enjoying it. Of course, teachers…
Which is the best style of karate?
What is the best style of karate? This is an age old question. Martial artists and desktop warriors have debated this question over and over, arguing their style of karate is the best and the strongest, while others state that mine, “works in the street”; MMA or BJJ is best for realism, ground and pound……..