(2 minute 35 second read) Many people seem to grapple with the core purpose of karate. Is it a sport, a means to follow a legacy or tradition, a way to develop character, self-defense, or more? . In the early stages of my karate journey, competitive fighting was my primary focus. I eagerly awaited the…
Tag: Kata
Mastering any movement starts with the whole picture.
(2 minute 2 second read) When reading anything, it’s crucial to approach it from start to finish, right? . Skipping to the end of a book might reveal “who done it,” but you’d miss out on all the best bits in-between. . Recently, a commenter on my article “The best fight is the one you…
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…
“It’s not what you know, but what you do with what you know.”
(1 minute 55 second read) Practice has to go beyond rote repetition to a place of true comprehension and proficiency. . While repetition is undeniably important, without curiosity, how can you truly analyze your karate and delve into the depths of its principles, not just the techniques? . Curiosity is the key that unlocks a…
“I haven’t trained enough yet. I have clear images of many Sensei from long ago, and those are my goals.”
(2 minute 17 second read) We shouldn’t just do martial arts; we should contemplate them deeply. Keiko (稽古) often translated as “practice”, has two kanji, the first Kei (稽) meaning ‘to think or to consider’. The second, ko (古) means ‘old’. . When we perform keiko, we are refining and considering the things that came…
Five Steps to Nowhere? The Hidden Flaw in Traditional Five Step Sparring.
(2 minute 26 second read) Punch, block, punch, block; moving backwards and forwards – prearranged step-sparring. . Learning the basics to become proficient requires repetition, over and over again. However, it’s crucial that basics are realistic, wouldn’t you agree? . The movements contained within karate were never meant to receive an attack from another martial…
Many pioneers of karate inform us that the hand opposite to the striking hand is ‘doing something’.
(2 minutes 15 second read) It’s very common in traditional karate to see practitioners performing a technique, while pulling back/drawing back the other hand and placing it on the hip, or with the knife hand, across the abdomen. . In Japanese, the ‘pulling hand’ is called ‘hikite’, and it’s evident in most of the receiving…
“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…
Memorization Isn’t Enough: Master the Art of Using, Analyzing, and Adapting Your Skills.
(1 minute 35 second read) Just like any other pursuit, true learning in the martial arts goes beyond rote memorization. It’s not about simply accumulating facts, but about developing the ability to use, analyze, and adapt the skills you’re taught. . Rote memorization may have its place in the initial stages of learning, providing a…
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,…
It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate.
(2 minute 4 second read) It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate. . ‘Shodan’ (初段), first-degree (first-level) black-belt, is the bedrock of your karate practice. It’s the foundation you build upon, the launchpad for your continued development. . Earning your Shodan signifies the completion of your initial training,…