(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) I once taught at a dojo where, for the most part, they were good people, strong spirit – but their idea of self-defense was almost entirely built around fighting and fitness. . That mindset wasn’t unique to them either. I’ve seen it many times. . In the same dojo,…
Tag: Strength
A Quiet Strength, a Will to Endure: The Strength That Waits Within.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) The dojo has a way of revealing what you’re really made of. It strips away excuses, exposes your habits, and tests your resolve. But it also offers something deeper – an opportunity to see what’s inside. . Marcus Aurelius once wrote, “Look well into thyself; there is a source…
The Essence of the Martial Arts Lies Not in Strength or Style, but in What You Find Within Yourself.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) When you find what’s truly right for you in your training, you stop needing to explain it to anyone. . Apart from teaching at the dojo, I train every day. Not to fight, not for show, and not to prove anything. I train because it matters to me. It’s…
Hard Conditioning Has Its Place: Self-Protection Isn’t a Contest – It’s Not Just About Taking the Hit.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The funny thing about writing on the martial arts is that sometimes people read what you said, nod in agreement – then repeat it back to you, only louder, rougher, and with more bravado. . I recently wrote that the martial arts aren’t about looking for a fight –…
Training for Ripping Flesh? I Don’t Think So. It’s Just Fantasy.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) I recently came across a comment claiming that karate contains techniques for ripping flesh. Yes, you read that right. . Apparently, hidden within traditional karate are moves that allow you to tear open human skin with your bare hands. . It’s the kind of nonsense that makes you wonder…
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…
Purpose-Driven Practice: Cut Through the Unnecessary, Focus on Function.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Over the years, karate has been modified to fit a non-combative formula such as competition, athleticism, style, and aesthetics. However, traditionally, karate – and its kata – were designed as records of practical fighting methods for civilian self-defense. . Now, I understand that not everyone trains for self-defense or…
No One Size Fits All: Are You Training for the Wrong Fight? Finding Your Path in Martial Arts.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Whenever I write an article about real-world self-defense, the comments seem to explode into “my style is the best”. . I don’t think a lot of these people actually train themselves – maybe keyboard warriors, maybe just inexperienced – but these comments usually revolve around one style in particular:…
Burnout: Recognizing the Signs and Finding Your Way Back.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Even for those who are passionate about the martial arts, especially for those who teach, training can reach a point where it becomes overwhelming. Many times we show up to class simply out of habit, when truthfully our minds or hearts are elsewhere. . While the martial arts requires…
Guard Up? Think Again: A Stark Reminder of Self-Defense Reality.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I often receive comments on my articles that tell me that you don’t need self-defense, you’re never going to need it. Just practice for fun and competition. . Er, no. . As an example, literally a block away from me this morning at 6:30am, there was a carjacking. A…
Just Know – Old Age and Treachery Will Always Outsmart Youth and Enthusiasm.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Years ago, while I was living in the UK, someone trespassed into my garden. I heard a noise and went outside to investigate. There he was, perched in a tree. I gave him a piece of my mind, to which he shouted back, ‘Come and get me, old man!’…
Beyond Calluses: Honoring Tradition, Building Strength and Technique with Makiwara Training.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) In 1908, Anko Itosu wrote a letter called the “Ten Precepts (Tode Jukun) of Karate” to draw the attention of Japan’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of War toward karate. . One particular point in Itosu’s fourth precept stands out: the importance of the makiwara. “In karate, training of…