Hatsuko Machida is ranked 6th dan in Uechi-ryu. She teaches at the Ageda Women’s Dojo, which is unique in Okinawa for offering women only karate classes. She explained that many of her students had not been allowed to study karate when they were young, so now they embrace the opportunity to do so. ….
Tag: Self-Protection
MOST styles of Karate TODAY do not incorporate throws.
MOST styles of Karate TODAY do not incorporate throws…. And I am not speaking of those dojo that use throws from Judo as self-defense (you know who you are). . However, traditional Okinawan styles that have preserved a broader base of traditional martial techniques and principles, do indeed have throws…..as well as take-down defense, sweeps,…
How effective is karate for self-defense?
How effective is karate for self-defense? (BTW, It’s a rhetorical question) . In its pure form, karate can be incredibly effective… but in its modern incarnation most of the karate seen today is sports oriented. The majority of today’s young people have only seen karate as a sport, with its strict rules and fanciful acrobatic…
In self-defense there are NO RULES.
So you don’t compete in tournaments yet you teach tournament techniques….. as self-defense? . In self-defense there are NO RULES. If you’re in danger, in trouble, or in anyway threatened, you do anything and everything you can to ESCAPE, to get away and get to safety. . The idea behind karate for self-defense is that…
“Kata functions as the art of karate.”
“Kata functions as the art of karate.” – Patrick McCarthy 9th dan Koryu Uchinadi . . “In karate, the most important thing is kata. Into the kata of Karate are woven every manner of attack and defense technique. Therefore, kata must be practiced properly, with a good understanding of their ‘bunkai’ meaning. . There may…
There is only one opponent and he is in front of you.
“There is only one opponent and he is in front of you. Turning to face a new direction while performing the kata does not mean you are turning to face a new opponent.” ~ Seikichi Toguchi (1917-1998) . “The meaning of the directions in kata is not well understood, and frequently mistakes are made in…
We learned karate that was to be used in real-life situations.
“Traditional karate is what we learned from the time we started, traditional Okinawan karate. As did our elders. We learned karate that was to be used in real-life situations. If you don’t continue to train with that sense of there being a real opponent, you won’t be able to respond in that kind of…
BAD GUYS DON’T STAND STILL.
BAD GUYS DON’T STAND STILL. . When you first learn self-defense techniques, it’s natural to stand still to perform them. Static training give you and your partner time to understand what an attack feels like and allow you to coordinate your response. . However! That IS just the FIRST step. . If you believe the…
“In karate, hitting, thrusting, and kicking are not the only methods..”
“In karate, hitting, thrusting, and kicking are not the only methods, throwing techniques and pressure against joints are included.” ~ Gichin Funakoshi . Many students, and instructors, who stand toe-to-toe and exchange techniques, forget (or should that be neglect?) that at some point in a self-protection/self-defense scenario, you will undoubtably end up in a clinch….
Why karate kata are important.
Why karate kata are important. . “Those who are unaware they are walking in darkness will never seek the light.” . This quote by Bruce Lee, I believe, means that those who refuse to change their beliefs in spite of the evidence, will never see the truth. You can show them facts and they’ll deny…
“Now use head for something other than target.”
“Now use head for something other than target.” ~ Nariyoshi Miyagi Miyago-do Karate . . When people don’t understand things, they often find it easier to create their own explanations rather than to actually find out the real explanation. We see this all the time, in every part of society. . To psychologists, this behavior…
“Every kata move is designed for use in combat.”
“Every kata move is designed for use in combat.” ~ Iain Abernethy 7th dan British Combat Association . . To some karate practitioners and instructors, karate consists of two separate things: kata or kumite. Dividing your karate into only “kumite” or only “kata”, is artificial and negative for your development as a complete karate-ka. ….