(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I never thought I’d enjoy writing articles as much as I do, but some of the comments are so incredibly misinformed they keep me fired up and ready to write again. . One comment from a Kyokushin shodan sums up, I think, what any serious practical karate enthusiast knows…
Tag: Style
At the Summit: Where the Trail Becomes Your Own.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) I wrote the other day that one of my teachers – someone I respect deeply, not just for his karate but for how he lives – once told me, “Carry the tradition into the future”. After more than fifty years of training, he said it was time for me…
When Tradition Becomes a Crutch: The Danger of Blindly Following The Past.
(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…
Karate That Grabs: It’s Not For Show, It’s For Survival.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) In a recent article, I explored how some people view karate as a performance art. They often believe that the perfect execution of a kata is the ultimate goal – the pursuit of a flawless performance. . But why do they think this? And does it actually make sense?…
The Shadow in the Mirror: Not So Different – Just Seen Through Another Lens.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The guy from the other day who suggested I “stop with the crap and go do some real training” got me thinking – not about what he said, but about how common this attitude is. . So many people who comment on my articles practice modern disciplines and openly…
Through the Dojo Door: Stepping Into Change.
(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….
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…
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…
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…
Karate and Kobudo: Two Paths, One Tradition – Complementary, Not Opposing.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Someone commented on my recent article, suggesting that styles also reflect the “weapons reality” that an opponent might use. . He stated that “Okinawan Karate focused on empty hand fighting against weapons such as Bo, Jo, Nunchaku, Sai and Tonfa. This ‘weapons reality’ led to direct, close quarter, power…