(Approx 2 minute read) Losing interest in martial arts training happens to everyone at some point. It’s inevitable, and there are countless reasons why. . How often have you heard someone say, “I used to do karate”? The decision to stop often happens in an instant. Sadly, years of hard work can be undone just…
Tag: Mind
Predicting the Unpredictable: Every Movement in Combat Tells a Story.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Imagine the massive advantage you’d have if you knew what your opponent was going to do before it happened. It would allow you to react instantaneously, adapting to their moves with precision. . A person’s unconscious, instant reaction to a stimulus is known as a reflex. If you touched…
The Unseen Influence of the Quiet Sensei: Not Seeking Recognition, But Commanding Respect.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) A couple of months ago, I wrote an article about a post on social media that made me stop and think. It suggested that 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…
When ‘Real’ Karate Isn’t Quite Real Enough: Static Steps or Dynamic Survival?
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) I mentioned in an article recently that an Okinawan teacher showed his black belts a series of techniques meant to showcase ‘real’ karate. Unfortunately, expectations are never as exciting as reality. . Firstly, someone said to me in the comments section, “Can you provide a link to the video?”…
Respect Cannot Be Self-Appointed: If You Call Yourself Sensei, Have You Missed the Point?
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Someone commented on an article I wrote, suggesting I was “getting carried away” and advising I should “spend time in Japan” to better understand Japanese traditions. . Assumptions often lead to misunderstanding and conflict. His comment was based on a misreading of my article; and he doesn’t know me…
Creativity in Motion: The Power of Possibility Through Asking the Right Questions.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The problem with many karate techniques is that they are often taught as having a single, fixed use. Consider modern karate and the tools it provides. Let’s take an example: the “Jodan age uke”, the ubiquitous upper rising block. In modern karate, it’s typically used to block, deflect, or…
Teaching Karate? Then Get It Right. When the Internet Gets It Wrong.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) After decades of practicing and teaching karate, and several years of writing about it, I’m still surprised by how many misconceptions and misinformation continue to swirl around this art. Whether in the dojo or online, I regularly encounter the same misunderstandings repeated. . Karate is not as complicated as…
Inhale Presence, Exhale Tension: Grounded in Breath, Connected in Spirit.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) There are all sorts of great tips for improving your karate, but for many, the issue isn’t technical; it’s about presence. It’s not that you need to be perfect, but rather that your mind isn’t fully there. . You might find yourself distracted or tense, caught up in your…
The Missing Ingredient in your training: Dedication.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) I often get asked, “How can I improve my karate?” The answer is very simple: ‘Practice’. . It never ceases to amaze me how some people will boldly say, “I’ve forgotten what you taught me.” This is not a failure of memory but of discipline. Improvement in karate –…
Context: The Key to Effective Training Across Disciplines.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I recently wrote a couple of articles about going to the ground in self-defense. Many of the comments said that you’d better know how to fight on the ground because most altercations end up there. . Yes, you may end up on the ground, and it’s imperative you drill…
Under Pressure: The Way You Train is the Way You’ll Respond:
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) You will perform the way you train. This principle holds across martial arts, sports, and virtually any skill-based activity or profession. Training shapes not only physical habits but also mental responses under pressure. . In response to one of my articles about an ill-advised self-defense technique performed for a…
Happy World Karate day. ‘Karate no Hi’ (空手の日).
In 2005, the Okinawa Prefecture Assembly passed a resolution declaring October 25th ‘Karate no Hi’ (空手の日), or ‘the Day of Karate.’ This date carries profound significance, marking a day when Okinawa’s unique martial heritage, developed over centuries, was formally named ‘Karate’ – ‘empty hand’ – a term now familiar to enthusiasts around the world. ….