(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) In recent years, it seems that rank and titles in the martial arts have become surprisingly easy to obtain – and very controversial. . Certificates can be printed, titles adopted, and positions claimed with little more than a website and a few followers. . But when we lose sight […]
Honesty, Integrity, and Skill – What Gives a Martial Arts Title Meaning? Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) If you teach, you’ve probably noticed the difference between the student who can’t get enough and the one who’s just… well, there. Some people walk into the dojo full of enthusiasm and want to absorb everything they possibly can. . Others go through the motions and never quite seem
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) What exactly has happened in karate? . Somewhere along the way, it seems rank has outpaced skill, and titles are sometimes gained faster than true understanding. . We’ve all seen examples of people switching styles, bypassing normal grade progression, and suddenly holding highly senior positions. The problem isn’t just
Honesty, Integrity, and Skill: The Measure of a Martial Artist. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) Too many think kata is just choreography – technique after technique, moving in lines. But without bunkai, it’s empty. . A comment I received the other day from a Shotokan instructor said he doesn’t teach bunkai until the practitioner is at nidan (2nd dan). . Really? Why? Such disregard reflects a
Why Waiting Until Nidan to Learn Bunkai Misses the Point. Read More »
(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 1 minute 55 second read) I’ve been writing articles for a few years now. And it never fails to amaze me when someone comments: “So many words.” . Reading – it’s one of the first things we’re taught. Yet these days, spending even two minutes reading something that might teach you something is too
Building Lasting Skill: The Uncomfortable Truth – Effort Pays Off. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) What motivates phony martial artists?… Is it ego, money, or something else? . I’m sure by now everyone has heard the term McDojo – a place that’s found its way onto streets, into strip malls, and community halls all over the world. . What actually is a McDojo? .
As Rare as a Quiet Pub on a Friday Night: What Students Deserve to Know. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 55 second read) For many, earning a dan grade is the pinnacle of their journey. It feels like a mountain climbed – years of effort, sweat, and achievement wrapped up in a black belt and a certificate. And for a time, that feeling is enough. . After the novelty of the belt
Surface Knowledge, Shallow Roots: The Illusion of Progress. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) In a world that’s moving faster every day – and feels more unstable than ever – traditions matter more than ever. They give us something steady to hold onto, offering a bit of order and comfort in the chaos. . Tradition is really just a belief, a habit, or
When Tradition Becomes a Crutch: The Danger of Blindly Following The Past. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) Most people who start martial arts don’t stay. Some quit after a few months, others after a few years. A rare few keep training for life. Why? . Kenwa Mabuni once said, “空手は生涯の研究です” – Karate wa shōgai no kenkyū desu (“Karate is a lifelong study”). Many of the early masters believed
A Lifelong Commitment: Tie The Belt, The Path Could Be Long. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) In an ideal world, a grading should reflect genuine progress in understanding and skill. A student advancing in rank should be able to demonstrate not just physical ability but a deeper comprehension of their art. . They should be able to apply what they’ve learned, adapt techniques under pressure,
Not All Grades Are Equal: A True Grading Tests Understanding, Not Just Memory. Read More »
