Zanshin

Self-defense is NOT about winning. You’re not in the dojo, on the mats, in a training hall, participating in a competition, rolling on the floor. Self-defense is about survival.

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection /

I have been writing articles for several years now and a misconception about self-defense continuously runs through the comments I receive. . Let’s attempt to clarify things. . Self-defense is NOT about winning. You’re not in the dojo, on the mats, in a training hall, participating in a competition, rolling on the floor. . Self-defense […]

Self-defense is NOT about winning. You’re not in the dojo, on the mats, in a training hall, participating in a competition, rolling on the floor. Self-defense is about survival. Read More »

“Training in karate ultimately means not having to fight anyone.”

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

Yoshio Kuba, 10th dan Goju-Ryu karate, once said, “Training in karate ultimately means not having to fight anyone.” This profound statement challenges the popular perception of martial arts as solely about physical combat. Instead, it highlights a deeper principle: true control lies in not needing to use force. . Forget the street-brawler mentality. True strength

“Training in karate ultimately means not having to fight anyone.” Read More »

Just how bad (or good) are untrained people at fighting?

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

Just how bad (or good) are untrained people at fighting? . Karate was originally created to protect yourself from civilian attacks….. “villain or ruffian”. (Ankoh Itosu precept quote) . Of course, it depends what we mean by untrained. There are plenty of people who learn how to fight from getting into fights. . A lot

Just how bad (or good) are untrained people at fighting? Read More »

“If I continued to view Karate only as a sport, as I did when I was young, I think that I would never have understood that lifetime exercise and character development actually lead to improvement in technique.”

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy /

Life is a complex journey filled with tests and challenges that often push us to our limits. . Sometimes, these tests are not meant to expose weaknesses but rather to uncover the hidden reservoirs of strength within us. . Life is a constant series of challenges, each presenting an opportunity for self-discovery and improvement. But

“If I continued to view Karate only as a sport, as I did when I was young, I think that I would never have understood that lifetime exercise and character development actually lead to improvement in technique.” Read More »

“The passage of time leaves its marks, but the spirit of karate is resilient, adapting and growing stronger with each challenge, proving that age is not a limit, but a testament to the enduring power within.”

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection /

The martial arts, with its rigorous training and physical demands, often fosters a culture of resilience and perseverance. How many times have you been told to ignore the pain, fight on, never give up? . Practitioners are often taught to push through pain, to persevere in the face of discomfort, and to cultivate mental toughness.

“The passage of time leaves its marks, but the spirit of karate is resilient, adapting and growing stronger with each challenge, proving that age is not a limit, but a testament to the enduring power within.” Read More »

“Karate aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee it.”

Bushido, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

Personally I believe being polite serves us best. I receive many messages on social media with just a couple of words. As an example: “where are you?”, “who taught you?”, “how can I learn karate?”, “what is your style?”, “what black-belt do you have?”. And many, many more. . Nothing promotes silence from me more

“Karate aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee it.” Read More »

“Sonkei” – 尊敬 (そんけい): meaning ‘respect’ in Japanese.

Bushido, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

The martial arts, beyond being a physical discipline, are a way of life. They embody a code of conduct that transcends the boundaries of the training hall and extends into everyday life. . At the core of this code is ‘respect’ – a fundamental principle that forms the foundation of all martial arts. . “Sonkei”

“Sonkei” – 尊敬 (そんけい): meaning ‘respect’ in Japanese. Read More »

“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.”

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection /

As you get older I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking about your own mortality. Recently I certainly have. The things I was capable of doing when I was younger seem so far away now. And living in a violent society made me wonder how much aging changes all of the body’s cells, tissues, and

“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.” Read More »

In a real life situation, most of the time, you have only one chance. One try is all you get to defend yourself or your loved ones.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

What constitutes as personal protection today falls outside the scope of most martial arts classes. Irrespective of whether you think your martial art is perfect for the “street” (whatever that means) or not. Most martial arts only deal with the fighting aspect of personal protection. . In most cases, the student is actually only learning

In a real life situation, most of the time, you have only one chance. One try is all you get to defend yourself or your loved ones. Read More »

Honor the commitment and cherish the results. Make time for the things that are important to you.

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

Anyone teaching martial arts knows a student who talks about wanting to train, but can’t manage to show up on time to practice, or may not show up at all. . When someone doesn’t show up, they’ll certainly have an excuse of some sort. What that student is telling us is about their priorities. .

Honor the commitment and cherish the results. Make time for the things that are important to you. Read More »

“There is no end in the journey of learning true karate.”

Bushido, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Student /

“Practicing karate improves your lifestyle through health and mental stability. Okinawan karate focuses on developing mental strength and willpower. There is no end in the journey of learning true karate.” – Ippei Yagi 8th dan Meibukan Goju Ryu . Many people rely on external things to bring comfort and happiness. This is because most of

“There is no end in the journey of learning true karate.” Read More »

“Attentively devote yourself to the meaning of each individual technique and make sure to apply them according to all possible circumstances.”

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy /

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

“Attentively devote yourself to the meaning of each individual technique and make sure to apply them according to all possible circumstances.” Read More »