(2 minute read) Many people tend to skim articles or posts rather than read them in full. Some may merely glance at the content or quickly view images and move on. . They may even leave comments without fully grasping the context or considering the content. . This makes me ask the question; do people…
Month: February 2024
Know which battles to fight, and which battles to walk away from.
(1 minute and 13 second read) Knowing which battles to fight, is really knowing which battles to pick and which to walk away from. . If your response to all things is to fight, this is bad thinking, bad practice. After all, life isn’t measured by how many times you stood up to fight. ….
“How far does the way continue? How far can I go? What happens if I keep going? What did the generations of masters attain?”
(2 minute 5 second read) Karate-Do, the “way of the empty hand,” much more than the sum of its parts; a centuries-old tradition steeped in history, philosophy, and self-improvement. . Over generations, countless karate masters, including well-known figures such as Itosu, Higaonna, Funakoshi, Hanashiro, Kyan, Uechi, Miyagi, Toyama, Mabuni, Arakkaki, and many others, have dedicated…
“The wise win before the fight, while the ignorant fight to win.”
(1 minute 16 second read) Humility, a seemingly simple virtue, holds immense power, both within ourselves and in our interactions with the world. . Unlike arrogance, and there’s a lot of that about, which can halt learning, humility keeps you receptive to lessons, opportunities, and even criticism. . The journey from the novice white belt…
Life humbles you as you age. You realize how much time you’ve wasted on nonsense.
(1 minute 16 second read) Age, is a relentless opponent. It slows our reflexes, dims our fire, and forces us to confront the choices we’ve made. . Among the most profound realizations is the gradual understanding that life humbles you as you age. . In the early stages of training, youthful exuberance may lead you…
Train your mind to be stronger than your emotions or else you’ll lose yourself every time.
(1 minute 34 second read) Both on the mat and in life, emotions can be a powerful force. They can fuel your movements, sharpen your focus, or cloud your judgment, leading to consequences you may not want. . The key to navigating this emotional landscape lies in training the mind to be stronger than your…
While you patiently wait, arm extended, for him to apply the lock successfully, what would happen if you resisted?
(2 minute 21 second read) Many martial arts practitioners hold onto the belief that their training translates flawlessly to real-world self-defense. Unfortunately, this can be a perilous illusion. . The efficacy of your techniques will often fail when faced with a brutal, violent, resisting opponent. You should not overlook this fundamental fact. . As an…
One Strike, One Kill: The Myth and Mastery of “Ikken Hissatsu”.
(2 minutes 21 second read) “Ikken hissatsu” (一拳必殺) – What does this maxim mean to you? How do you interpret it? . A Japanese term frequently encountered in the context of karate, carrying the weighty meaning of “to kill with one blow” or more literally, “one fist, certain death.”. . To interpret “ikken hissatsu” as…
‘OSU’: a sign of respect or just empty tradition?
(2 minute 26 second read) Do you use the term ‘Osu’ (押忍) in your dojo? . The resonant echo of ‘Osu’ that reverberates through many martial arts dojo, a word far more complex than its two syllables suggest. . This seemingly innocuous term, does it belong in our traditional dojo as a symbol of respect,…
Just because someone boasts an impressive lineage chart doesn’t automatically make them a good teacher.
(2 minute and 15 second read) Joining a martial arts school for the first time is an exciting and empowering endeavor for many individuals. The prospect of learning self-defense, perhaps wanting to compete, or just physical fitness, often attracts people to these schools. . However, a significant challenge arises when newcomers lack the knowledge to…
In meditation, the warrior hones not just their blade, but their spirit. In the Way of Bushido, this is the path to true strength.
(2 minute and 28 second read) Imagine a set of precepts that’s not just about fighting, but about living with honor and respect. That’s ‘Bushido’ (武士道), the “way of the warrior”. . A code forged in the fires of battle, wielding both the noble ideals of chivalry and the harsh realities of violence. . Bushido…
“Excessive slapping, kicking, punching may only constitute 1% of good testing of Sanchin. It looks great – too childish eyes.”
(1 minute and 52 second read) Sanchin kata, with its robust stances and focused breathing, embodies the essence of karate’s core principles. . Its testing, however, often veers away from this philosophical foundation, resorting to methods that clash with the true purpose of ‘shime’. . “Shime,” (締め) derived from the verb “shimeru,” implies “to lock,”…