What motivates you to practice karate? . In all honesty, the only way to do it is to do it. The mistake people make with motivation is that they think it’s something you either have, or you don’t have. Unfortunately, you have to work at motivation. This means you have to actively tell yourself that…
Tag: Training
Why karate kata are important.
Why karate kata are important. . “Those who are unaware they are walking in darkness will never seek the light.” . This quote by Bruce Lee, I believe, means that those who refuse to change their beliefs in spite of the evidence, will never see the truth. You can show them facts and they’ll deny…
Please leave me alone. I’m training.
Please leave me alone. I’m training. . Success and progress come from the hundreds of hours of work no one sees. . Keep training. ?? . Polite too. ?
“Now use head for something other than target.”
“Now use head for something other than target.” ~ Nariyoshi Miyagi Miyago-do Karate . . When people don’t understand things, they often find it easier to create their own explanations rather than to actually find out the real explanation. We see this all the time, in every part of society. . To psychologists, this behavior…
“Every kata move is designed for use in combat.”
“Every kata move is designed for use in combat.” ~ Iain Abernethy 7th dan British Combat Association . . To some karate practitioners and instructors, karate consists of two separate things: kata or kumite. Dividing your karate into only “kumite” or only “kata”, is artificial and negative for your development as a complete karate-ka. ….
“Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.” – Spirit before technique.
Karate is a way of life, a way of reality. I have committed over 46 years of my life to the study, practice and teaching of karate. I am convinced that karate has much to offer today in the 21st century as it did many years ago. True karate is the training of body, mind…
“You can’t demonstrate great power unless you are relaxed.”
“Smile and relax. You can’t demonstrate great power unless you are relaxed.” ~ Yoshimi Inoue Soke – Inoue-ha Shito-ryu Keishin-kai (1946-2015) . . TENSION ≠ POWER . We often associate physical tension such as a contracted muscle with power. In pure physical terms, the larger and stronger a muscle, the greater the force it can…
“Do you want fries with that?”
“Do you want fries with that?” . There are some students after reaching the lower dan grades of karate, who believe they have enough knowledge to teach on their own, starting a dojo or school with just a fundamental knowledge of the martial arts. While there are some who can do this, unfortunately there are…
Kata is not an alternative or substitute for two-man training.
“If you can prove that the techniques that you are teaching are realistic and valid, then your Bunkai will stand up to scrutiny, in other words if it don’t work then don’t teach it.” ~ John Johnson 8th dan – Adaptive Karate . . 形. Kata is not an ‘alternative’ or ‘substitute’ for two-man training;…
If your first kata is sloppy and weak, there is no point learning a new one.
“I will train 365 days a year.” ?? . Ryo Kiyuna – 4 Times World Kata Champion – Ryuei-ryu – (劉衛流, Ryūei-ryū is an Okinawan style of karate. It was originally a family style of the Nakaima family of Naha). . “As a beginner, the first kata you learn is the foundation on which all other…
You have to put in the EFFORT.
努力怠るなかれ ~ “Doryoku okotaru nakare” (Never neglect effort) ?? . Kenzo Mabuni (1927-2005) . “Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, [..] that delivery of the very best that you can do. . It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you…
Facing the makiwara.
“Facing the makiwara.” ?? . Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan Dojo Okinawa . The makiwara (巻藁) is a padded striking post used as a training tool in various styles of traditional karate. It is thought to be uniquely Okinawan in origin. The makiwara is one form of hojo undō (supplementary training) used by Okinawan…