The proverb “Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself”, is a powerful reminder of the role that teachers play in our lives. Teachers are there to provide us with knowledge, guidance, and support, but ultimately, it is up to you to take responsibility for your own learning and growth. . In today’s…
Category: Martial Arts
“The meaning of the directions in kata is not well understood, and frequently mistakes are made in the interpretation of kata movements.”
Enbusen (演武線 – embusen) is a term commonly used in the martial arts world. In its simplest form it refers to the pattern or shape of the movements that make up a particular kata. . The enbusen of a kata is an important aspect of its execution, as it provides a visual representation of the…
“I can see my strengths and weaknesses, and i’m not afraid to face my weaknesses.”
Growth in the martial arts comes through repetitive daily practice and studying at every opportunity. Today, society finds repetition boring and stifling. The self-discipline of repetition is at the heart of the martial arts. Through repetition, you can quiet the inner dialogue between the ego and the over-thinking mind. . Everything is a test….. and…
“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.”
‘Mokuso’ (黙想) is a Japanese term that is commonly used in the martial arts. The term refers to a period of silent meditation that is practiced at the beginning and end of a training session. . Commonly translated as “meditation”, the literal translation means “silence/still” (moku 黙) and “think/focus” (so 想). . Mokuso is often…
What makes one person commit their life toward a specific goal, while another person quickly gives up pursuing a goal the first moment they experience adversity? . In the martial arts, what makes one practitioner continue to persevere against all odds, while another quits the moment he/she begins to feel pain and discomfort? Why do…
WAIT. You’ve only been taught to fight? NOW WHAT?
A comment on one of my articles about ‘self-defense or fighting’ said that “if you’re young enough [snip] why can’t you do both? (self-defense and sparring)”. . Well of course, you can. You can do both provided you understand the differences and you are aware of the dissimilarities. . But it’s not wise to do…
Self-defense or fighting? Do the research. Be aware of the differences, and be ever mindful of them.
Anyone claiming to teach self-defense has a moral obligation to do the research. . Sport training is created to ensure success in sport. It makes little sense to train to develop one set of skills when they are not the skills you wish to actually attain. If you want self-defense skills, then you should be…
You have to PUSH yourself, because, no one else is going to do it for you.
PUSH Yourself: Karate in Daily Life . I can no longer separate my advancing years from my almost 50 years of Karate training. Even if I never put on my karate-gi again, I would never be able to separate them. . Those of you who have trained for many years will understand what I’m talking…
“You think it’ll last forever, people and cars and concrete, but it won’t. One day it’s all gone. Even the sky”.
“You think it’ll last forever, people and cars and concrete, but it won’t. One day it’s all gone. Even the sky”. . Time does not care about anything but moving forward. What do the martial arts offer the aging student? . Young practitioners mostly see karate, or the martial arts in general, as something I…
“If one trains diligently every day, then in three or four years one will come to understand karate.”
Losing interest in your martial arts training will happen to everyone at some point, and of course there are various reasons why this can happen. . I have seen this so many times. How often have you heard; “I used to do karate”? The decision to stop is made in a second, and the sad…
The ‘Dojo’ (道場) not just a place to workout. It is the “place of the way.”
There are numerous training facilities for all types and styles of martial arts. However, very few of these places rate the title of ‘dojo’. The commonly used terms of studio or gym are, in general, much more appropriate. Many of these institutions teach only the shell of an art and neither understand nor attempt to…
When was the last time you just listened to someone? I’m talking about just taking in the words that are being said, and allowing it to settle into your mind….. Forget about a response.
Sometimes it’s good to just shut up and listen….. When was the last time you just listened to someone? I’m talking about just taking in the words that are being said, and allowing it to settle into your mind….. Forget about a response. . A good listener, listens slowly to what is being said, doesn’t…