(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…
Tag: Teaching
In the Silence, the Lessons Begin: A Reminder That the Sensei Won’t Always Be There.
There are instructors who teach you how to learn the techniques of karate, making them inch perfect, and there are instructors who teach the techniques alongside the underlying principles. Helping you find a deeper understanding. . But to truly grasp all that karate has to offer – for genuine proficiency – I believe you also…
Training for Purpose: Your Karate, Your Choice. Choose wisely.
(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…
Guard Up? Think Again: A Stark Reminder of Self-Defense Reality.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I often receive comments on my articles that tell me that you don’t need self-defense, you’re never going to need it. Just practice for fun and competition. . Er, no. . As an example, literally a block away from me this morning at 6:30am, there was a carjacking. A…
The Missing Pieces: Beyond Judo. The Forgotten Throwing and Grappling of Karate.
(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…
Just Know – Old Age and Treachery Will Always Outsmart Youth and Enthusiasm.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Years ago, while I was living in the UK, someone trespassed into my garden. I heard a noise and went outside to investigate. There he was, perched in a tree. I gave him a piece of my mind, to which he shouted back, ‘Come and get me, old man!’…
Respecting Cultural Context: ‘Osu’: It Isn’t Always Appropriate.
(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….
The Road Ahead: The Choices We Make in the Moment.
(Approx 2 minute read) A comment on my recent article where I was pushed into the road while out for a run read: “Well written but your first mistake was not crossing the road in anticipation, but sometimes in life our senses do not tell us.” . It’s a valid observation, but it highlights an…
The Crossroads of Independence: Breaking Free and Knowing When It’s Time to Go Alone.
(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 Beginning of Transformation: The Path Ahead Starts Here.
(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…
Beyond Calluses: Honoring Tradition, Building Strength and Technique with Makiwara Training.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) In 1908, Anko Itosu wrote a letter called the “Ten Precepts (Tode Jukun) of Karate” to draw the attention of Japan’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of War toward karate. . One particular point in Itosu’s fourth precept stands out: the importance of the makiwara. “In karate, training of…
Quiet Waters, Deeper Lessons: Dive Deep: There May Be Hidden Rewards in Taking Your Time.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Someone commented on one of my articles: “So many words for a simple answer”. When did reading take a step backward for so many people? . I understand that times have changed. Many people today seem to prioritize instant gratification – no waiting, no reading, just give it to…