(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) My first exposure to karate was Wado-Ryu in 1974. The bulk of the classes focused on the basics, with plenty of exercises thrown in to keep things ‘enjoyable’. . Of course, there was kata and I was told that it required years of dedicated practice to truly understand, yet […]
Rattling the Cage: Karate and the Questioning Mind. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) I remember a little while ago being invited to teach at a dojo and hanging on the wall in plain sight was the curriculum or syllabus they followed. It was structured, organized, and served as a clear guide for what students were expected to learn. . But as I
Beyond the syllabus: True progress starts when you look deeper. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 55 second read) What is awareness, and why is it so important in self-defense? . Many practitioners focus solely on physical techniques, treating force as the solution to every problem. Some even adopting a fight-first mentality, giving little more than lip service to avoidance. . But we all know that avoidance is
When Self-Defense is Just Pruning Your Roses. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Over the years, karate has been modified to fit a non-combative formula such as competition, athleticism, style, and aesthetics. However, traditionally, karate – and its kata – were designed as records of practical fighting methods for civilian self-defense. . Now, I understand that not everyone trains for self-defense or
Purpose-Driven Practice: Cut Through the Unnecessary, Focus on Function. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) I started my ‘journey’ in 1974 and now everything I do carries the lessons and experiences of the Sensei I have trained under. Their insights, wisdom, and guidance have shaped my understanding, and in many ways, they walk with me still. . Throughout life, we encounter mentors who leave
Walking with My Teachers – A Moment of Reflection. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) In everyday English, we use the word ‘stance’ to infer a fixed, unchanging position or viewpoint. This common usage of the word can confuse people into thinking that we utilize our karate ‘stances’ in the same way, that they represent a fixed position….. They do not! . A recent
From Tradition to Function: Making Every Stance Count. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) Some of the comments I receive on my articles are truly remarkable (I’m being polite here). They certainly inspire me to write, so I suppose I shouldn’t complain. . Recently, a few people argued that fine motor skills work under high stress – some comparing the skills of martial
Can You Really Apply That Lock? Reality vs. Fantasy. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) A friend of mine reminded me, in relation to an article I wrote about keeping karate grounded in reality when approaching self-defense, about cognitive dissonance in the martial arts. . Ever feel that discomfort when two ideas just don’t sit right? . That’s cognitive dissonance. . We dedicate years
Cognitive Dissonance in Training: When Belief Clashes with Reality. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Whenever I write an article about real-world self-defense, the comments seem to explode into “my style is the best”. . I don’t think a lot of these people actually train themselves – maybe keyboard warriors, maybe just inexperienced – but these comments usually revolve around one style in particular:
(Approx 2 minute read) A comment on one of my articles about self-defense challenged my point that techniques in real combat should rely mostly on gross motor skills. The commentator disagreed, insisting that fine motor skills work just as well in such scenarios. I’m not sure he had any experience in this, as he didn’t
The Ugly Truth of Self-defense – Keep Your Training Grounded. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) In an ideal world, a grading should reflect genuine progress in understanding and skill. A student advancing in rank should be able to demonstrate not just physical ability but a deeper comprehension of their art. . They should be able to apply what they’ve learned, adapt techniques under pressure,
Not All Grades Are Equal: A True Grading Tests Understanding, Not Just Memory. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) I’m sure many people have experienced this. Years ago, when I was in school, I used to read books just to pass exams – and then that was it. I would mostly forget the content of those books afterward because I wasn’t really interested in the subject. . We
Knowing Isn’t Understanding: True Knowledge Takes Time. Read More »
