(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) “You cannot get educated by this self-propagating system in which people study to pass exams, and teach others to pass exams, but nobody knows anything. You learn something by doing it yourself, by asking questions, by thinking, and by experimenting.” – Richard Feynman, theoretical physicist . I wrote an […]
When the Syllabus Stops Working: If You Don’t Ask, You’ll Never Know. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) What on earth has karate become? . Yesterday, I was sent a video of a well-known karateka – a successful competitor with deep roots in karate. Someone with rank, experience, and a famous legacy behind them. And yet what I heard left me shaking my head. . They were
Putting Substance Back Into Karate: It Must Mean Something. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) In a recent article, I wrote about how a single movement from a kata could be so much more than just a punch – a grab, a push, a setup for a throw and much more. . I explored the idea that kata isn’t just a rigid performance, but
Why Kata Still Matters: You Just Don’t Understand It. Read More »
Karate initially draws people to the dojo with promises of physical strength – discipline, skill, and of course, self-defense. . Those who embrace karate as a sport, for fun, or to follow a lineage have every right to do so. . Kata – for many people today – is just there in the background, something
Kata’s Core: Finding Truth Beneath the Movements. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) The majority of karate today is plagued by dogma. Let me explain. . After the Second World War, Okinawa was in ruins. Many of the teachers who started up again back then had learned the ‘school karate’ model – all about building strong bodies and disciplined minds. Not every
Karate: Stop Bowing to Dogma – Question Everything. Read More »
Karate is something you learn properly when you have a good teacher – someone who explains things clearly, allows you to question, and has the depth of knowledge for you to grasp the principles behind what you’re doing. Then, when all this is conveyed, you repeat it – over and over – until it becomes
Why I Keep Repeating Myself: Repetition Keeps Karate Honest. Read More »
My recent article, “To train or not to train. The choice is yours”, brought up a few comments about reasons for not training. . Money seemed to be at the forefront, along with a dojo closing. . I asked one person who commented – he said his home life is problematic and he doesn’t have
Stop Pretending – You Either Train or You Don’t. Read More »
To train or not to train – do you REALLY want it, or are you just playing at it? . It amazes me when people say, “I’m going to return to training”, or, “I’m going to the gym – I need to get fit”, but never do. I really don’t know why they feel the
To Train or Not to Train? The Choice Is Yours. Read More »
Most dojos have a creed – a Dojo Kun (道場訓) – a list of promises or ideals, hung neatly on the wall. Students recite it at the start of class, bow respectfully, but then forget half of it before they reach the car park. . A creed is only words until you choose to live
More Than Words on the Wall – The Dojo Kun Means Nothing If You Don’t Live It. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) A reminder that the real fight is often won in the mind. . For those of us interested in self-defense, awareness is key – being aware of yourself, your surroundings, and your environment. . But what does that really mean? . It’s about spotting pre-incident indicators, practicing good positioning,
When the Enemy Comes, Greet Him with a Smile. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Take a single technique from a boxer’s shadow boxing routine. What do you have? For example – a left jab aimed at the head or body. . Take a single movement from kata. What do you have? For example – a left gyaku zuki (reverse punch). It too could
The Boxer’s Lesson, The Master’s Secret: Kata’s Practical Legacy. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) The one who controls the distance in an encounter controls the situation – whether that’s to escape or, if you have no choice, to fight. . Those of us who practice a more practical type of karate often dismiss the endless step-kumite drills common in modern dojo. Many defend
Maai: Mastering the Space Between – Control the Distance, Control the Fight. Read More »
