Zen

Ditch the perfect demo and embrace the glorious messiness of real-world failure.

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

(2 minute 13 second read) The martial arts require demonstration to supplement the whole teaching process. I get it. I demonstrate to my students. However, I always incorporate some level of failure into my demonstrations. . Why? Because a real life attack is unpredictable, chaotic, vicious, and brutal. Your techniques will probably not go as […]

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Master the toolbox, not just the hammer….

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

(1 minute 40 second read) Imagine a toolbox filled with tools; wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, these tools can fix many things….. but how you use them depends on the job. . The martial arts are like those tools – different methods have different goals. . Karate, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, MMA, Boxing – these are all different fighting

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“It is challenging to make someone comprehend something when their beliefs or identity are tied to not understanding it.”

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

(2 minute read) It never ceases to amaze me, from the comments on my articles, how many people have such strong opinions about the martial arts, particularly the practice of kata, despite a complete lack of experience. The internet amplifies these uninformed voices, creating a cacophony of assumptions that drown out the true value of

“It is challenging to make someone comprehend something when their beliefs or identity are tied to not understanding it.” Read More »

Don’t Just Do Your Kata….. Know Your Kata.

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

(2 minute 6 second read) I’ve been writing articles for several years now, and probably the most commented and contentious subject of all that I write about has to be Kata. . People just don’t get it. Sadly, there is widespread misunderstanding about this centuries old tradition. . I can’t blame them, as today most

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Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”.

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

(2 minute 55 second read) Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”. . Kata, often viewed as a choreographed routine, for passing a grade, showing no relation to actual combat. . “The other day I posted a video where I was applying the uppercut technique and a person in his

Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”. Read More »

Finding Calm amidst the Chaos.

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

(1 minute 30 second read) Finding Calm amidst the Chaos. . In today’s frenetic world, anxiety seems to be a constant companion. With so many people these days leading hectic, over-stimulated, and sleep-deprived lives, it’s no wonder that worry and anxiety are at an all time high. . Our brains are hard wired to be

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“If practiced properly, two or three kata will suffice as ‘your’ kata; all of the others can just be studied as sources of additional knowledge.”

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

(2 minute 10 second read) How many kata are enough? . Over the years I have collected probably way too many, and although I have a core that I teach deeply, many of them are probably redundant, or at least very similar to each other. . What I find most interesting about kata is how

“If practiced properly, two or three kata will suffice as ‘your’ kata; all of the others can just be studied as sources of additional knowledge.” Read More »

The one who controls the distance in an encounter, is the one who controls the situation.

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

(1 minute 56 second read) The one who controls the distance in an encounter, is the one who controls the situation. . “Maai” (間合い) is a Japanese term that means “interval” or “space between”. It refers to the optimal engagement distance in combat, encompassing both physical separation, and the timing of the attack and defense

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“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.”

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

(1 minute 31 second read) Martial arts training; principles, techniques, strategies, fitness, they’re all important. But mastering your mind is just as crucial; and for me, that includes avoiding pointless arguments. . It’s easy to get caught up in pointless debates about which style is the best, or which is the strongest, the most effective,

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Are you a traditionalist, a pragmatist, or both?

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

(2 minute 41 second read) From the comments on a recent article, many people seemed to be offended because of my use of the word “traditional”, some calling me insulting, rude, offensive and more. . I wrote the article with the intention of shedding light on instructors who falsely claim to teach self-defense, who are

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“To understand breathing is to understand Karate. It’s a direct connection between your body and mind.”

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

(1 minute 22 second read) Breathing in the martial arts. Easy right? . The most basic function of our body, part of an autonomous system. We don’t have to learn how to do it, we just breathe automatically, we don’t have to think about it. . However, the way you breathe can make a significant

“To understand breathing is to understand Karate. It’s a direct connection between your body and mind.” Read More »

“We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.”

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

(1 minute 41 second read) There is something very different about being a martial artist; it makes you different from other people, it sets you apart from the crowd. . We all know that anything great requires hard work and sacrifice. It will be tough, difficult, challenging, and it’s going to stretch you and make

“We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.” Read More »