Just how bad (or good) are untrained people at fighting? . Karate was originally created to protect yourself from civilian attacks….. “villain or ruffian”. (Ankoh Itosu precept quote) . Of course, it depends what we mean by untrained. There are plenty of people who learn how to fight from getting into fights. . A lot…
Category: Self-Defense
How many kata is “enough”?
How many kata is “enough”? . Of course this is very subjective. What are your goals in training? What are your goals in teaching? How many are contained in your syllabus? Etc. etc. . If you want your students to quickly learn self-defense skills, then a smaller amount is obviously going to be more efficient,…
Practice each of the skills of karate repeatedly. Attentively devote yourself to the meaning of each individual technique.
A comment on one of my articles stated that; ”kata and bunkai are useless”, accusing me of not understanding their non-self-defense design, including a “bullshido” label. . You know what? If you think the movements within kata are ineffective, then for you, that’s true. It just shows a complete lack of understanding. . “Why practice…
“My karate is stronger, tougher, more athletic, it is the ultimate…. It is superior to yours!”
“My karate is stronger, tougher, more athletic, it is the ultimate…. It is superior to yours!” . Really? It’s superior, in all things?….. . You have to define what you mean by “superior”. I’m assuming that when people say “superior”, they mean the best in terms of effectiveness and practicality…… But superior? WHERE? In the…
The essence of learning lies in the understanding that the moment you are shown to be wrong, a profound opportunity for growth and knowledge progression is unveiled.
Practice intensity is the will, commitment, and enthusiasm to practice with a purpose. Most instructors consider it an important characteristic for any student. . One of the primary reasons people pursue martial arts is to acquire self-defense skills. And making a habit of questioning your training ensures that you can continuously refine and internalize these…
“One need not destroy one’s enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.”
On social media and comments I receive on some of my articles, the perception of Mixed Martial Arts as the ultimate solution for ALL self-defense scenarios has reached new heights. With individuals who have never received any formal self-defense training, confidently declaring that MMA is the be-all and end-all in real-life confrontations. . MMA’s visibility…
“The passage of time leaves its marks, but the spirit of karate is resilient, adapting and growing stronger with each challenge, proving that age is not a limit, but a testament to the enduring power within.”
The martial arts, with its rigorous training and physical demands, often fosters a culture of resilience and perseverance. How many times have you been told to ignore the pain, fight on, never give up? . Practitioners are often taught to push through pain, to persevere in the face of discomfort, and to cultivate mental toughness….
“Karate aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee it.”
Personally I believe being polite serves us best. I receive many messages on social media with just a couple of words. As an example: “where are you?”, “who taught you?”, “how can I learn karate?”, “what is your style?”, “what black-belt do you have?”. And many, many more. . Nothing promotes silence from me more…
“The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time.”
The realm of martial arts is vast and diverse, encompassing various styles and techniques, each with its unique history and purpose. While tournaments serve as platforms for martial artists to showcase their skills and compete, the line between tournament techniques and self-defense is often blurred. Incorrectly teaching tournament techniques as self-defense can have serious consequences…
“It is not how much you have learned, but how much you have absorbed in what you have learned.”
The importance of basics, or foundational knowledge, cannot be overstated in almost any field or aspect of life. . Basics serve as the building blocks upon which more complex knowledge is constructed. Without a solid foundation, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand and work with advanced concepts. . Most karate practitioners come to understand that…
“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.”
As you get older I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking about your own mortality. Recently I certainly have. The things I was capable of doing when I was younger seem so far away now. And living in a violent society made me wonder how much aging changes all of the body’s cells, tissues, and…
In a real life situation, most of the time, you have only one chance. One try is all you get to defend yourself or your loved ones.
What constitutes as personal protection today falls outside the scope of most martial arts classes. Irrespective of whether you think your martial art is perfect for the “street” (whatever that means) or not. Most martial arts only deal with the fighting aspect of personal protection. . In most cases, the student is actually only learning…