(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The guy from the other day who suggested I “stop with the crap and go do some real training” got me thinking – not about what he said, but about how common this attitude is. . So many people who comment on my articles practice modern disciplines and openly…
Tag: Humility
Violence Doesn’t Care Where You Live.
(Approx 2 minute read) The comments on my articles are often fascinating. Sometimes they’re insightful, sometimes frustrating – but every now and then, they give me something else to write about. . Here we go with this gem: “If you need self-defense in your neighborhood, perhaps it’s time you switched neighborhoods.” . It sounds clever…
Kata Isn’t Necessary – But That’s Not the Point.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Here we go again. Every time I write about the benefits of kata – really trying to help people understand what it is and how it works – I get a troll in the comments. This time, he proudly declared the virtues of his “street-real” jiu-jitsu and MMA training….
Through the Dojo Door: Stepping Into Change.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Change. Even the word makes some karateka open their mouths in horror, as if you’ve insulted their family or spat on their dojo floor. . People resist change because they believe they will lose something of value, or fear they will not be able to adapt to new ways….
The Art of Learning: Empty Your Cup.
A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom. . The master served tea. He poured the visitor’s cup full, then kept on pouring. The professor watched the cup overflow until he could no longer restrain himself. . “It is overfull. No more will go in!” . “Like this cup”, the…
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are.
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are. . No matter how things may seem, you always have a choice. Sometimes, the best choice is to let go and just move forward. . The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take that…
The Shattered Mirror: Reflecting on the Damage Hate Can Cause.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Further to my article on mental health, I want to address another important aspect that affects many both in and out of the martial arts – hate. . You encounter many different attitudes in the martial arts. Most are extremely positive, but some harbor intense hatred. While all of…
Fighting Inner Battles: The Martial Arts and the Mind. There’s No Magic Fix.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Many people believe that sport is played with the body and won with the mind. This being so, can the amount and intensity of training contribute just as much psychologically as physically? . Studies have shown that fitness training may help improve self-esteem, confidence, and body image. There are…
Stillness and Action: Finding Zen in Every Movement.
(Approx 1 minute 30 second read) Zen. People think it’s some mystical concept, but really, it’s just about direct experience – seeing things as they are, without the clutter of unnecessary thought. . In the martial arts, that means decisive action. No hesitation. You train to build instinct, to trust your preparation. A fight doesn’t…
Styles Define the Path – But the Practitioner Defines the Journey.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) “What style do you practice?” . I get asked this question whenever someone learns that I practice karate or when someone with a little knowledge of karate inquires about joining our dojo. . It’s as if the style of karate you practice is more important than the kind of…
The Ferret’s Way: Tenacity, Effort, and the Spirit of ‘Ganbaru’.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I don’t know about you, but I always try my best in everything I do. Occasionally, I get annoyed with myself, thinking I could have done better. Maybe I’m just wired that way. Of course, I don’t always succeed, but next time, I try that bit harder. . An…
Barefoot Training and the Role of Shoes in Karate Practice: Tradition and Practicality.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) Step into a traditional karate dojo, and the first thing you’ll do is take off your shoes (hopefully). . Like most Japanese budo – with the exception of kyudo (Japanese archery) – karate is traditionally practiced hadashi (裸足), barefoot. There are plenty of reasons for this, some cultural, some…