Martial arts, steeped in rich traditions and diverse styles, have evolved over centuries to become a fundamental part of many cultures. While the pursuit of mastery and personal growth are core tenets, it’s not uncommon to encounter martial artists who exhibit stubbornness when it comes to embracing something different. . One key reason for martial…
Category: Martial Arts
Not everyone can be a black belt.
Karate is a commitment – a hard, slow road and a journey full of fear, pain, failure and sacrifice. . It’s a pretty thankless task as the only one to beat is yourself, and nobody likes the stark honesty of self-evaluation. It hurts and getting hit hurts, metaphorically and physically. That’s the truth of it….
Once you learn to QUIT, it becomes a habit. The real training starts, when YOU want to stop.
If your instructor PUSHES you. If your instructor DISCIPLINES you. If your instructor DEMANDS the best from you, ALL the time… Then he or she truly CARES….. . Life presents us with a multitude of choices and challenges, often leaving us torn between our capabilities and limitations. The phrases “I can” and “I can’t” shape…
“If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.”
Sport karate, offers numerous benefits, physical fitness, aesthetics, discipline, and sportsmanship. However, it is important to recognize that sport karate is not the ideal choice for individuals seeking practical self-defense skills. . Now before the comments start, in the 1970’s and ’80’s, sport karate was my main interest, I’m just trying to help some practitioners…
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.”
Personally I believe that analyzing kata and its applications from a logical or common sense perspective makes a compelling case for the best way to approach and dissect principles and techniques. . There is of course value in aesthetic, sporting and cultural aspects of karate and its kata – but for me, my main interest…
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”
The martial arts is a discipline that extends far beyond physical combat; for many it embodies a way of life that cultivates self-discipline, respect, and personal growth. And at the core of every martial arts journey lies the martial arts teacher. . A great martial arts teacher is not merely an instructor but a mentor,…
“Put karate into your everyday life and you will find its subtle secrets.”
For me, the martial arts have more to offer than just physical fighting skills. They should also be able to enhance life as well as preserve it. And of course the martial arts can mean different things to different people; culture, fighting, fitness, personal development, self-defense, or sport etc. . The martial arts should teach…
The Master is not a form, nor a name, it’s an indication that directs you to where you come from.
Karate, has been passed down from generation to generation, and with each new generation building on the knowledge and experience of the previous one. . One of the fundamental aspects of traditional karate is its emphasis on lineage and the importance of maintaining the teachings of our predecessors. . Traditional lineage refers to the transmission…
“Self-praise and over-confidence is a sickness that corrupts training.”
The martial arts are more than just physical techniques used for self-defense, or competition. It is a way of life that involves self-discipline, respect, self-awareness and more. . One of the most important aspects of martial arts is understanding the role of ego and its impact on both personal development and martial arts practice. ….
“We should open karate to the public and receive criticism, opinions and studies from other prominent fighting artists.”
The modern interpretation of karate, and its many variations, has evolved in to something quite different to which the original pioneers had in mind when it was first developed. . Many of the techniques of karate have become completely unrealistic in application, which unfortunately, are often passed off as real-world practical self-defense techniques. . What…
“Walk a single path, becoming neither cocky with victory nor broken with defeat, without forgetting caution when all is quiet or becoming frightened when danger threatens.”
One of the most recognizable aspects of karate is the black-belt, which is awarded to those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the art. But the black-belt is more than just a physical accessory or a symbol of skill; it represents a journey of personal growth and development. Another beginning, not the…
Do you practise kata as moving meditation?
A person who is interested in karate for artistic or aesthetic reasons, is unlikely to find themselves caring to much about the “real-world” self-defense applications found in kata. Modern karate competition practitioners are also unlikely to care about these applications because it has little relevance to competitive ‘kumite’. . Much of what is referred to…