Zen

More Than a Sprint: Running Away vs. Escape Skills. They’re Not the Same.

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

(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Someone commented on one of my articles: “Forget about learning self-defense techniques, which you are likely to forget anyway. Just run away.” . Terrible advice. . Learning to escape is paramount in self-protection, but reducing it to just “running away” oversimplifies a much more complex and nuanced skillset. . […]

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Staying the Course: Making Martial Arts a Part of Who You Are.

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

(Approx 2 minute read) Losing interest in martial arts training happens to everyone at some point. It’s inevitable, and there are countless reasons why. . How often have you heard someone say, “I used to do karate”? The decision to stop often happens in an instant. Sadly, years of hard work can be undone just

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Predicting the Unpredictable: Every Movement in Combat Tells a Story.

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

(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Imagine the massive advantage you’d have if you knew what your opponent was going to do before it happened. It would allow you to react instantaneously, adapting to their moves with precision. . A person’s unconscious, instant reaction to a stimulus is known as a reflex. If you touched

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The Unseen Influence of the Quiet Sensei: Not Seeking Recognition, But Commanding Respect.

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

(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) A couple of months ago, I wrote an article about a post on social media that made me stop and think. It suggested that people are only worth engaging with if they’ve met specific criteria: if they’re champions, if their students are successful, or if they’ve earned respect through

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Inhale Presence, Exhale Tension: Grounded in Breath, Connected in Spirit.

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

(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) There are all sorts of great tips for improving your karate, but for many, the issue isn’t technical; it’s about presence. It’s not that you need to be perfect, but rather that your mind isn’t fully there. . You might find yourself distracted or tense, caught up in your

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The Cultural Clash in the Dojo: The Hidden Customs Within the Martial Arts – Do Students Want It?

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

(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) One of my friends recently posted a video asking his students “what was karate for?”. Without exception, all of them said self-defense. If this is the case then are the cultural aspects of traditional karate irrelevant? . Many traditional martial arts schools offer more than just self-defense and fighting

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It’s Like a Finger Pointing to the Moon: Don’t Focus on ‘Saying OSU!’ or You’ll Miss All That Heavenly Glory.

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

(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) “Osu”, a term I have written about before, used often by some and bemoaned by others, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. For many, it symbolizes perseverance, respect, or acknowledgment, and it’s often used as a greeting, a response to an instruction, or even as a show of enthusiasm. .

It’s Like a Finger Pointing to the Moon: Don’t Focus on ‘Saying OSU!’ or You’ll Miss All That Heavenly Glory. Read More »

The Courage to Ask: Breaking the Silence and Finding Value in Questions During Training.

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

(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Respect for your teacher is paramount and following instructions are instilled from day one. But does this culture of respect sometimes stifle learning? Could unwavering reverence prevent students from fully understanding what they’re taught? . I bring this up because, when I started training in 1974 under a Japanese

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The Evolution of Karate: Tradition and the Search for Authenticity.

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

(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Recently, I received a message about an article I had written, which was about the karate being taught after WWII and propagated across the US and to the rest of the world. . The message said that their karate was immune to superficiality because they had regular visits back

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In every challenge that age brings, we find the opportunity to redefine strength – not as brute force, but as the clarity of thought and spirit.

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

(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, I had a conversation with one of my senior students. Both of us are in our sixties now, reflecting on what happens when time begins to slow us down. As martial artists, we know that no amount of training can stop the effects of aging. We’ve gained wisdom

In every challenge that age brings, we find the opportunity to redefine strength – not as brute force, but as the clarity of thought and spirit. Read More »

Think Twice: Before You Throw a Punch, Learn Restraint When Fighting Is All You Know.

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

(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) If you know me or have read my articles, you probably already know that I prefer my karate to be practical and pragmatic. But on occasion, I write from a more philosophical side, aiming to add some balance and hopefully encourage readers to think and question. . It’s a

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“Any martial art without proper training of the mind turns into beastly behavior.”

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

Reflection: where we’ve been, where we are, even perhaps where we’re going. . Your body can stand almost anything. It’s your mind you have to convince. The biggest and toughest opponent you will ever face? Yourself. . Always see contemplation on your actions as an opportunity to improve. . Perhaps the martial arts are less

“Any martial art without proper training of the mind turns into beastly behavior.” Read More »