It is not about ‘time OR training’ but about ‘time AND training’. ?? . You have to do the time, and promotion will come when you are ready, and you have the minimum ‘time in grade’. Note that the time in grade requirement is a ‘minimum’. Therefore, if you are training three times a week, the…
Tag: Black-Belt
A good instructor teaches students how to fight, a great instructor teaches students how to live.
“To all those whose progress remains hampered by ego-related distractions, let humility – the spiritual cornerstone upon which Karate rests – serve to remind one to place virtue before vice, values before vanity and principles before personalities.” – Sokon Matsumura (1809-1899) . . “A good instructor teaches students how to fight, a great instructor teaches…
Motivation in martial arts training.
Motivation in martial arts training. . I’ve been training in the martial arts for almost forty seven years now and finding the motivation to keep going has been an ongoing process. Sometimes it was easy, other times not so much. Which brings me to the question I think is key to have long-term motivation to…
Why you shouldn’t call yourself ‘sensei’.
Why you shouldn’t call yourself ‘sensei’. ?? . ‘Sensei’ (先生) is a Japanese word people all over the world use, in and out of the dojo, in place of ‘teacher.’ . But the word ‘sensei’ is much more than simply a synonym for ‘teacher’. When trying to understand a Japanese word, it’s always a good idea…
“There are no styles of karate-do, just varying interpretations of its principles.”
“Why I Stopped Practicing My Karate Style. (Maybe YOU Should Too?)” ~ Jesse Enkamp . . “There is no place in contemporary Karate for different styles. I have heard myself and my colleagues referred to as the ‘Shotokan style’, but I strongly object to this attempt at classification. My belief is that all ‘styles’ should…
“Many Karate teachers teach a watered down style….”
“Many Karate teachers teach a watered down style – no hip action and no depth of punching – so it is easy to say that these teachers have no depth to their knowledge. You are what your teacher is, and if he knows a lot, you should be able to demonstrate this knowledge.” ?? . Yuchoku…
Make sure, as instructors, your students know exactly what they are being taught.
However keen you may be to begin teaching, before you venture on to the mat and attempt to teach any of the basic techniques (or advanced) to students, it is necessary to know something of the combative principles they contain. . The instructor needs to ask himself/herself what are they training for? Are you training…
You rank is not an entitlement.
“You rank is not an entitlement.” ?? . Kanei Uechi (上地完英, June 26, 1911 – February 23, 1991) was the son of Kanbun Uechi, founder of Uechi-Ryū, one of the primary karate styles of Okinawa. Kanei was instrumental in the growth of Uechi-Ryū after his father’s death. . . You rank is not an entitlement, nor…
Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn.
“Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn.” ?? . Patrick McCarthy 9th dan Koryu Uchinadi . “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” ~ Thomas Moore . Becoming a shodan or higher black-belt in karate will be a dream come true for some of you. In order to do…
You have to put in the EFFORT.
努力怠るなかれ ~ “Doryoku okotaru nakare” (Never neglect effort) ?? . Kenzo Mabuni (1927-2005) . “Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, [..] that delivery of the very best that you can do. . It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you…
Never neglect courtesy and etiquette.
礼儀怠るなかれ ~ “Reigi okotaru nakare.” (Never neglect courtesy and etiquette) ?? ~ Kenei Mabuni (1918-2015) . There is a cultural element to karate which should be well observed. This cultural element involves courtesy, humility, etiquette, rank, tradition, protocol and much more. . Whenever or wherever you train Karate, you should follow certain etiquette and manners called…
How can we teach others if you do not truly understand yourself?
“It is possible to learn the technique of all kata in two or three months. But simple ability to repeat them is not the point here. Years of practice and thorough training are necessary for deep understanding and mastery. . Nowadays even children get taught Suparinpei if it is needed for competitions. Well, a child…