(Approx 1 minute 30 second read) “If you know the Way broadly, you will see it in everything.” – Miyamoto Musashi . Someone commented on one of my articles saying that practical karate people are just looking for moves in MMA to match what they do. . Actually, no. That’s the wrong way around. You…
Tag: jiu-jitsu
The Missing Pieces: Beyond Judo. The Forgotten Throwing and Grappling of Karate.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Kenwa Mabuni, one of Okinawa’s great karate masters, once said, “The karate that has spread to Tokyo is incomplete. Those who believe that karate consists only of kicks and punches, and think throws and joint locks are exclusive to judo or jujutsu, have been misinformed. We should have an…
Staying the Course: Commitment, Resilience, Recovery, and No Shortcuts.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Anyone teaching martial arts knows a student who talks about wanting to train, but can’t manage to show up on time to practice, or may not show up at all. . When someone doesn’t show up, they’ll certainly have an excuse of some sort. What’s that student telling us…
The Divisiveness in the Martial Arts: Why Are We So Divided and Broken?
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) Why, in a discipline meant to promote humility, respect, and self-discipline, do we find ourselves so divided and broken? . Perhaps it stems from the loyalty practitioners develop toward their chosen style, instructor, or dojo. While this sense of belonging is a powerful motivator, it can easily transform into…
Not a Stolen Legacy: The Reality of Shared Techniques.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) In a recent comment on my article discussing modern techniques in traditional martial arts, I used the example of knee strikes in karate. The commenter claimed that this technique is exclusive to Muay Thai and accused me of stealing its legacy. . This claim not only dismisses the evidence…
“Compared to Jiu-Jitsu, karate is more destructive.”
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) There is a significant difference between consensual fights and non-consensual criminal violence. Yabu sensei, a karate pioneer, lived in a time when karate was geared towards real-world self-defense, not consensual sport fighting. . If your interest and practice is pragmatic karate for self-defense, then your primary goal should be…
“There is a code of honor and if you don’t respect that code, you should be out of martial arts.”
(1 minute 50 second read) Once again, the concept of respect has reared its ugly head. . Someone left a brief two word comment on one of my articles. I won’t delve into the specifics of the conversation or name the individual involved. . However, in response, I asked several questions to gain clarity on…
The best fight is the one you avoid. So don’t start a fight you can’t finish, but if you do, finish it.
(1 minute 30 second read) If you’re like most people, you probably hope you’ll never face a self-defense situation. But being prepared is key. . Self-defense is a critical skill, but it’s important to understand it’s not about winning a fight. It’s about neutralizing a threat and escaping safely. . Those that keep reminding me…
“Without context words and actions have no meaning at all.”
(1 minute 45 second read) “Without context words and actions have no meaning at all.” . This is a major problem today where so many individuals, many without experience of other martial arts, confuse their own ‘way’ as the one and only ‘way’. . Cricket is an amazing sport, but would a cricket player excel…
“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…
Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast challenges me!…..Hold My Beer.
(2 minute 7 second read) A commenter on one of my articles challenged me: “Step onto a jiu-jitsu mat and get humbled.” . This sentiment highlights a common desire in martial arts – to find the ultimate fighting method. But the truth is, and I have written about this extensively, there’s NO single “best” martial…
Chaos Training: Building Confidence Under Pressure.
(2 minute read) Some of the comments on my articles recently seem to be producing quite a range of interesting views. . One such comment seemed to suggest that the methods of pressure testing I mentioned in an article; – “to include in your practice pressure testing; unknown wild attacks, pushing, pulling, grabbing, verbal escalation,…