(Approx 2 minutes 30 second read) Some people are incredibly territorial when it comes to the martial art they practice. The comments on my recent article about judo and self-defense sparked a storm of snarky responses – some from people who seemed genuinely upset, and others, who didn’t even bother reading the article before offering…
Category: Masters
Kick Like a Pro, Limp Like a Legend. Kick Today, Ice Tomorrow. (Perhaps not the best choice in self-defense either.)
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) For the last few days, I’ve been dealing with an annoying hip flexor strain. I have no idea how I got it – perhaps I slept the wrong way. I seem to be at that age. . Once again, it sparked an image in my mind of having to…
Karate is in the mind. Karate is in the heart. Karate is never about what you are wearing around your waist.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) A few months back, a Nidan we knew contacted us after his instructor passed away and asked if we could grade him to Sandan. . From the outset, I had reservations. Even though he was part of our US association through his instructor, I didn’t know this person, he…
The Courage to Ask: Breaking the Silence and Finding Value in Questions During Training.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Respect for your teacher is paramount and following instructions are instilled from day one. But does this culture of respect sometimes stifle learning? Could unwavering reverence prevent students from fully understanding what they’re taught? . I bring this up because, when I started training in 1974 under a Japanese…
The Evolution of Karate: Tradition and the Search for Authenticity.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Recently, I received a message about an article I had written, which was about the karate being taught after WWII and propagated across the US and to the rest of the world. . The message said that their karate was immune to superficiality because they had regular visits back…
Commitment is the Key: Be There, Be Better, Have Passion.
Students today give up too easily. They expect everything to be perfect or effortless, and when it’s not, they quit. That’s a mistake. Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward. . The most important thing is this: whatever you decide to do, take it seriously and do your best. . As…
“Any martial art without proper training of the mind turns into beastly behavior.”
Reflection: where we’ve been, where we are, even perhaps where we’re going. . Your body can stand almost anything. It’s your mind you have to convince. The biggest and toughest opponent you will ever face? Yourself. . Always see contemplation on your actions as an opportunity to improve. . Perhaps the martial arts are less…
The First Step: Why Do Many Kata Start to the Left?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) I was asked a great question: “Do all kata start with a move to the left? Are there any kata that start to the right?” . Many beginners learn kata such as ‘Fukyugata’, ‘Gekisai’, and the ‘Pinan’ kata, which all share one commonality – the first movement goes left….
Fighting without compassion is just violence, fighting with it is true martial arts.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) The martial arts seen by many as being centered around combat and physical confrontation. . It’s in the name, after all – yet that’s only a small fraction of the truth. . When people think of martial arts, they often imagine aggressive individuals wanting to fight. But for those…
Naihanchi: Absent from Competition, Essential for Practical Application.
(Approx 2 minute read) Naihanchi kata, simple in appearance but profound in application. Its name is commonly interpreted as “sideways fighting”, referencing the kata’s distinctive embusen. Although other interpretations also exist. . Gichin Funakoshi, renamed the kata ‘Tekki’ (Iron Horse), honoring his teacher Anko Itosu and emphasizing its strength and stability. While the precise origins…
Educating with Insight: Ensuring Depth and Authenticity in Karate Teaching.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Itosu Anko was in his 70s when he finalized the Pinan kata. Those forms were simplified and organized into a curriculum suitable for instructing larger groups, particularly within the Okinawan school system. Karate was to be promoted as a way to encourage physical education, discipline, and moral character in…
Challenging Conformity: The Power of Questioning What You Know to Discover Genuine Understanding.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, someone sent me a message with the abrupt opener, “Who are you?” – not the most polite way to start a conversation. After some back-and-forth, and after I pointed out the rudeness of his approach, I learned he was upset about a quote I had used in one…