(1 minute 34 second read) Both on the mat and in life, emotions can be a powerful force. They can fuel your movements, sharpen your focus, or cloud your judgment, leading to consequences you may not want. . The key to navigating this emotional landscape lies in training the mind to be stronger than your…
Tag: Learning
While you patiently wait, arm extended, for him to apply the lock successfully, what would happen if you resisted?
(2 minute 21 second read) Many martial arts practitioners hold onto the belief that their training translates flawlessly to real-world self-defense. Unfortunately, this can be a perilous illusion. . The efficacy of your techniques will often fail when faced with a brutal, violent, resisting opponent. You should not overlook this fundamental fact. . As an…
One Strike, One Kill: The Myth and Mastery of “Ikken Hissatsu”.
(2 minutes 21 second read) “Ikken hissatsu” (一拳必殺) – What does this maxim mean to you? How do you interpret it? . A Japanese term frequently encountered in the context of karate, carrying the weighty meaning of “to kill with one blow” or more literally, “one fist, certain death.”. . To interpret “ikken hissatsu” as…
‘OSU’: a sign of respect or just empty tradition?
(2 minute 26 second read) Do you use the term ‘Osu’ (押忍) in your dojo? . The resonant echo of ‘Osu’ that reverberates through many martial arts dojo, a word far more complex than its two syllables suggest. . This seemingly innocuous term, does it belong in our traditional dojo as a symbol of respect,…
Just because someone boasts an impressive lineage chart doesn’t automatically make them a good teacher.
(2 minute and 15 second read) Joining a martial arts school for the first time is an exciting and empowering endeavor for many individuals. The prospect of learning self-defense, perhaps wanting to compete, or just physical fitness, often attracts people to these schools. . However, a significant challenge arises when newcomers lack the knowledge to…
In meditation, the warrior hones not just their blade, but their spirit. In the Way of Bushido, this is the path to true strength.
(2 minute and 28 second read) Imagine a set of precepts that’s not just about fighting, but about living with honor and respect. That’s ‘Bushido’ (武士道), the “way of the warrior”. . A code forged in the fires of battle, wielding both the noble ideals of chivalry and the harsh realities of violence. . Bushido…
“Excessive slapping, kicking, punching may only constitute 1% of good testing of Sanchin. It looks great – too childish eyes.”
(1 minute and 52 second read) Sanchin kata, with its robust stances and focused breathing, embodies the essence of karate’s core principles. . Its testing, however, often veers away from this philosophical foundation, resorting to methods that clash with the true purpose of ‘shime’. . “Shime,” (締め) derived from the verb “shimeru,” implies “to lock,”…
Fighting isn’t alway necessary. Aggression can prove a costly error. De-escalation and prevention, is the true mark of strength.
(2 minute and 44 second read) Many people who comment on my articles seem to want to reduce real-world scenarios to fighting in a cage, or some form of sport. . Let’s be clear. It isn’t. . If you have to fight someone for your survival, then yes, of course, any form of fighting will…
“Pre-war karate masters treated students harshly, and expelled them for the slightest reason. A student also had to have a good character or they wouldn’t teach him.”
(2 minute and 20 second read) Possibly one of the most famous quotes by Gichin Funakoshi is; “The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.” . So, I would like to pose a question. Does karate improve your character? . The idea…
“We must be careful not to overlook the fact that kata, and the body positions that comprises them, are just templates of sort; it is their application in combat which needs to be mastered.”
(2 minute and 14 second read) Kata, the cornerstone of traditional martial arts, are intricate archives of combative movements, much more than just a physical solo exercise. They are a living legacy, passed down from teacher to student, generation after generation. . Each kata embodies the accumulated wisdom of past masters, a codified library of…
“I am a student, not a master. I am still learning, and I will never stop learning.”
(2 minute and 5 second read) The journey to becoming proficient in any field, especially the martial arts, begins with a fundamental truth: you must first become a great student. . Training and practice isn’t just about passively absorbing information; it’s about taking an active role in your own learning, and being fueled by a…
There is NO place for physical punishment or bullying in any form of discipline.
(2 minute and 16 second read) Things have changed over the years. When I began training in traditional karate, some of the instructors were downright mean. They went out of their way to inflict pain on you, and they made it clear that they were superior to you in every way. . Back then, in…