(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Change. Even the word makes some karateka open their mouths in horror, as if you’ve insulted their family or spat on their dojo floor. . People resist change because they believe they will lose something of value, or fear they will not be able to adapt to new ways….
Tag: Philosophy
Back to Basics: It’s Not What You Think. Forget the Technique, Understand the Concept (Found in Kata).
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Ever looked at a kata and thought, “There’s a theme here”? Well you’re probably right. . But to see it, you need to look beyond the block, punch, and kick. You have to go deeper than the surface-level mechanics most people focus on when working through bunkai. . Let’s…
Naihanchi Is Not Everything. But it’s a Great Place to Start.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Naihanchi – one of my favourite kata. . Filled with close-range fighting and grappling techniques. It’s probable that Itosu believed Naihanchi to be so effective that, even if it was the only kata a student ever learnt, they would still become an able fighter. . The phrase “Everything is…
The Art of Learning: Empty Your Cup.
A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom. . The master served tea. He poured the visitor’s cup full, then kept on pouring. The professor watched the cup overflow until he could no longer restrain himself. . “It is overfull. No more will go in!” . “Like this cup”, the…
Kata as a Textbook: Understanding Its Misunderstood Language.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Kata means many things to many people. For some, it’s just a bunch of basics – something to help practice those basics, or maybe something more. Once again, only recently someone said to me, “Kata is useless.” . You can choose to see kata as something you do for…
Beyond the Syllabus: Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences in the Martial Arts.
(Approx 3 minute read) Someone recently commented on one of my articles, saying they don’t bother planning lessons – they just go with the flow. That got me thinking. . I’m all for being adaptable in the moment. But it made me reflect on how we, as instructors, prepare – or don’t – for the…
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are.
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are. . No matter how things may seem, you always have a choice. Sometimes, the best choice is to let go and just move forward. . The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take that…
The Shattered Mirror: Reflecting on the Damage Hate Can Cause.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Further to my article on mental health, I want to address another important aspect that affects many both in and out of the martial arts – hate. . You encounter many different attitudes in the martial arts. Most are extremely positive, but some harbor intense hatred. While all of…
Fighting Inner Battles: The Martial Arts and the Mind. There’s No Magic Fix.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Many people believe that sport is played with the body and won with the mind. This being so, can the amount and intensity of training contribute just as much psychologically as physically? . Studies have shown that fitness training may help improve self-esteem, confidence, and body image. There are…
Teaching Self-Defense: It’s Time to Be Honest – One Size Doesn’t Fit All.
(Approx 2minute 15 second read) First, I want to thank those of you who follow my page and read my articles. If you do. you should know I prefer the practical and effective over rigid, performance-focused modern karate. . I often write about the stark differences between real self-defense and the misleading claims made by…
Balance in Combat – Mastering Your Center of Gravity.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) If you end up having to fight, apart from anything else, having good balance can make or break the outcome. . Balance is one of those things you don’t think about – until you lose it. Suddenly, it’s all that matters. In any martial art, controlling your center of…
Exploring Kata: More Than Techniques. From Motion to Meaning.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Something someone brought up recently about kata. They were asking, “If we don’t really understand the applications, the why behind the moves, are we just wasting our time?” . There’s no single, perfect answer to what any move in a kata is supposed to be. Even if the old…