Trust the process.

I’m going to ask you to trust me on this. ? What I’ve realized over the years in working with countless people, is that there is nothing as vital to a relationship, with your sensei, students, friend or family, as fragile as trust. Psychologists tell us that the first emotional bond we all develop is…

You will not be punished for your anger…

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.” ~ Buddha Poison isn’t always something you eat or drink – it can be an emotion. And hate is one of them, eating you up inside and causing destruction. . Hatred is a feeling that we all have felt and…

The only limit is you.

“The limit is not in the sky. The limit is the mind.” Those with limited mindsets will work within their limits and stay within the comfort zones that allow them to feel contentment with a sense of conformity. But pushing our minds beyond their own limits can give us an indescribable sense of joy by…

Names of the different parts of a karate gi

Keikogi (稽古着), or dogi (道着), is a uniform for training in Japanese martial arts and their derivatives. (Keiko means practice, gi means dress or clothes.) The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century.  The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro. Japanese martial arts historian Dave Lowry speculates Kano derived…

Once learned never forgotten

“If you want to be skilled at karate, do what skilled karate people do: train each day! If you get into the habit of daily training, you will surprise yourself with how much progress you can make.” Tatsuya Naka 7th dan Shotokan JKA. I often get asked “how can I improve my karate?” The answer…

Belief

As instructors and teachers, the most important, and rewarding part of our work is to recognize the vast potential within our students and to help them see it within themselves, and then support them in reaching that potential.. Looking towards the future with positive expectations is a powerful force on the present, as it affects…

Loyalty

“Some people aren’t loyal to you…. They are loyal to their NEED of you….Once their needs change, so does their loyalty.” Loyalty is a very important aspect in any relationship but especially so in the martial arts between a student, their instructor and their dojo.  Trust and true loyalty take years to build and loyalty…

Self-Defense

This Is Not Self-Defense “We often fall into the trap of simply trying a technique harder, rather than recognizing that it is a poorly chosen tool for the task at hand.” ~ Chris Matakas “Unarmed hand to hand fighting does not change through the ages; only the name changes, and it has only one rule:…

Revenge

Ever wanted to get revenge? You know that “letting go” is probably the healthiest move right, but wanting revenge is often much more appealing. It all starts with our nature, since humans are protective beings, especially when we feel threatened; “If what we care about ….. is harmed or threatened in any way, it is…

Martial Arts Education

“Do not put your main purpose in mastering the Karate techniques themselves…” “Do not put your main purpose in mastering the Karate techniques themselves, you should instead study the way of life through Karate.” ~ Meitatsu Yagi 10th dan Goju Ryu repeating a quote from Master MEITOKU YAGI The aim of education should be teaching…

Rank Will Not Protect You

    In a situation where you need to defend yourself, it is your skills, not your rank, that will protect you. Prevention is the best self-defense. Attackers, whatever their objectives, are looking for unsuspecting, vulnerable targets. Be aware of your surroundings, avoiding confrontation. If you can defuse a situation (talk someone down from physically…

Your purpose in karate is not to fight.

“Your purpose in karate is not to fight, but rather to end the fight”. ~ Yoshio Kuba 10th dan Goju Ryu ?? . In self-defense there are no rules. If you’re in danger, in trouble, or in anyway threatened, you do anything and everything you can to get away and get to safety. This is nothing…