(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) The martial arts is about more than just fighting. It’s about learning to use your mind as your greatest weapon, staying calm in difficult situations, and making clear, rational decisions under pressure. Fighting, kicking, and punching are part of it, but you should strive to be much more than…
Tag: Learning
The First Step: Why Do Many Kata Start to the Left?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) I was asked a great question: “Do all kata start with a move to the left? Are there any kata that start to the right?” . Many beginners learn kata such as ‘Fukyugata’, ‘Gekisai’, and the ‘Pinan’ kata, which all share one commonality – the first movement goes left….
Just Relax! (Said No One Who Was Actually Relaxed).
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Karate, at its core, is a discipline built on efficiency – achieving maximum power and fluidity through minimal exertion. . A student recently commented while watching me demonstrate a movement, “We have a long way to go.” He was referring to how relaxed I seemed, compared to the tension…
Karate for Kids: Beyond Self-Defense – Building Confidence, Resilience and Responsibility
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) One of the most heart-wrenching challenges for any parent is watching their child become the victim of bullying. It can leave parents feeling powerless, desperately searching for ways to protect their child. Many turn to kids’ martial arts classes, hoping it will equip their child with the skills to…
Fighting without compassion is just violence, fighting with it is true martial arts.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) The martial arts seen by many as being centered around combat and physical confrontation. . It’s in the name, after all – yet that’s only a small fraction of the truth. . When people think of martial arts, they often imagine aggressive individuals wanting to fight. But for those…
Naihanchi: Absent from Competition, Essential for Practical Application.
(Approx 2 minute read) Naihanchi kata, simple in appearance but profound in application. Its name is commonly interpreted as “sideways fighting”, referencing the kata’s distinctive embusen. Although other interpretations also exist. . Gichin Funakoshi, renamed the kata ‘Tekki’ (Iron Horse), honoring his teacher Anko Itosu and emphasizing its strength and stability. While the precise origins…
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…
Educating with Insight: Ensuring Depth and Authenticity in Karate Teaching.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Itosu Anko was in his 70s when he finalized the Pinan kata. Those forms were simplified and organized into a curriculum suitable for instructing larger groups, particularly within the Okinawan school system. Karate was to be promoted as a way to encourage physical education, discipline, and moral character in…
Challenging Conformity: The Power of Questioning What You Know to Discover Genuine Understanding.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Recently, someone sent me a message with the abrupt opener, “Who are you?” – not the most polite way to start a conversation. After some back-and-forth, and after I pointed out the rudeness of his approach, I learned he was upset about a quote I had used in one…
To Jump or Not to Jump: Interpreting ‘Nidan-Geri’ for Self-Defense.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) In most kata, the template shows us that kicks tend to be delivered singularly, but there are a few kata where multiple kicks are presented. This raises an important question: What purpose do these multiple kicks serve in the context of self-defense? . Commonly referred to as “Nidan-geri” (二段蹴り)….
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…
What Really Counts: The Unsung Heroes. Success Without the Spotlight.
(Approx 2 minute 12 second read) Recently, I came across a post on social media that made me stop and think. It said people are only worth engaging with if they’ve met specific criteria: if they’re champions, if their students are successful, or if they’ve earned respect through verifiable accomplishments – whether in competition or…