(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) This week, a potential student expressed concern about his low weight and its impact on the effectiveness of karate for him. . Does size give someone an advantage in a fight? . Height, reach, and weight play significant roles in combat sports, and most tournaments have weight categories to…
Tag: Bruce Lee
“Know the cause of your ignorance.”
(1 minute 35 second read) Have you ever encountered someone who seems completely stuck in their ways? Someone who refuses to consider any viewpoint but their own? That’s the hallmark of a closed mind. . And boy, have I had a few of these in the comments on my articles lately. . A closed-minded person…
“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…
“When I look around, I always learn something, and that is to be always yourself. And to express yourself. To have faith in yourself.”
Something different. . Bruce Lee, a cultural icon and martial arts legend, has left an indelible mark on the world of combat sports and martial arts. His innovative techniques, philosophical approach, and dedication to self-improvement continue to inspire and influence generations of martial artists. Bruce Lee had a profound impact on generations of martial arts…
“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…
I guess you can’t fix stupid!
A comment on one of my recent articles stated; “Come step onto a jiu-jitsu mat and you’ll will be humbled. I guarantee it.” . A great many people are dying to be reassured that their martial art is the best and most effective. They evidently believe that their martial art is superior to all others…
Does size give people an advantage in a fight?
I had a question from a potential student this week who was concerned over his (low) weight and how effective certain styles were for him. . Does size give people an advantage in a fight? . Size does matter in the martial arts, but not necessarily in the way you might think. . Generally speaking,…
“It is not how much you have learned, but how much you have absorbed in what you have learned.”
It’s my belief that it is good to be curious to try and acquire knowledge about everything around us. . Eagerness and passion develops curiosity which is hugely important in the martial arts. It’s how we analyze and understand our karate at a deeper level. If you are the type of practitioner who believes in…
“Research your own experience, absorb what is useful…”
Understanding lineage, and the traditions that have been passed down over generations is valuable and meaningful, but remaining too faithful to tradition can be a problem. . Blindly following tradition can lead to staleness. Protecting tradition is to go forward. The part you protect and the part you innovate has to move in parallel. Otherwise,…
What is tradition, or traditional, in the martial arts?
What is tradition, or traditional, in the martial arts? Who decides what it is? . Tradition can be described as; “an inherited, established or customary pattern of thought, action or behavior”. But what we refer to as “traditional” in the martial arts often isn’t traditional at all. . All of the past masters were innovators…
“Eyes that look are common; eyes that see are rare.”
If you have seen The Karate Kid movie, you will undoubtedly remember the wise old karate master, Mr. Miyagi, telling his student Daniel-san to; “Look eye! Always look eye”. . Well, not necessarily. At least not in the martial arts. . In fact, in Japanese culture, excessive eye contact is considered rude. And being rude…
My karate is SUPERIOR to yours.
My karate is stronger, tougher, more athletic…. it’s 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 a “superior karate style”, they mean the best in terms of effectiveness and practicality…… But superior, WHERE? In the dojo? In…