(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Someone commented on one of my articles: “So many words for a simple answer”. When did reading take a step backward for so many people? . I understand that times have changed. Many people today seem to prioritize instant gratification – no waiting, no reading, just give it to…
Tag: Tradition
Echoes of Loyalty: The Honor and Discipline of Yue Fei.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Yue Fei, a legendary general from the Song Dynasty, is a figure whose legacy resonates across cultures and martial traditions. . Though Yue Fei lived in 12th-century China, his story symbolizes universal martial virtues. He is remembered for his loyalty, discipline, and moral integrity – principles echoed throughout the…
Kata: More Than a Theatrical Performance – A Record of Practical Combat.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) For most people, kata is a solo performance, mostly there to pass a grade. For a practitioner with limited experience, this is an important stage of practice. If you can’t perform the movements efficiently without an opponent, you’ll have no chance of making them work against an aggressive one….
‘Ishiki’ – Awareness.
“‘Ishiki’ (意識) is very important. ‘Awareness – Take more attention and focus’. Without ‘Ishiki’: you wouldn’t realize what is happening here and there. By doing it you see and realize things happening. During everyday training with more attention and focus you will see and realize how your stance, form and technique are. Do not ignore…
Back to White: When Values Matter Most.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) A couple of years ago, I was going through a moment of madness – I seem to have many of them. I felt like I needed a new challenge and briefly considered swapping styles. A new organization had just been established, and I had a massive amount of respect…
Embracing Different Perspectives: Why Listening is Key to Understanding.
(Approx 2 minute read) Close-mindedness isn’t always as obvious as we think. It doesn’t just show up as stubbornness or refusal to change. Sometimes, it hides behind the belief that you already know enough – enough about your martial arts, enough about the world, enough about yourselves, enough about others. . Ask anyone if they’re…
Earned or Given: The Belt Without Merit. Is A Grade for Sale?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) In the world of martial arts, grades, are viewed as a reflection of a practitioner’s journey – a combination of technical ability, deeper understanding, and personal character. . Yet, there are times when we encounter individuals whose grade seems to far outshine their skills, knowledge, or behavior. Such instances…
Kata: The thread that connects it all.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) There are plenty of reasons why kata has become somewhat disconnected from real combat. From philosophical and political decisions made by Funakoshi and others following WWII to common training methods, distorted views of how fighting works, and the spread of information lacking depth. . I get so many…
You need great passion because everything you do with great pleasure, you do well.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Apart from my interests and passion for karate, I have another wild passion: Formula 1. . My interest started when I was in my early teens, and it has not wavered since. I follow not just the races but also the technical information, the teams, the drivers, and the…
Don’t get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be ready to throw away what you know.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Recently, I read an article about certain aspects of Buddhism, and one of the key points made was that in the heart of the Buddha’s teachings lies a profound caution: . “To seek truth is not to entangle oneself in concepts or to cling to views. Words, descriptions, and…
Letting Go: Breaking Free from the Opinions of Others.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) We all want to be liked. Whether it’s for our many talents, sharp intelligence, warm personalities, or – okay, maybe not for our amazing dance moves – it’s natural to seek validation from others. . But when we start depending on what people think of us to feel happy,…
Teaching Self-Defense? Make It Real. Not a Performance.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) If there’s one recurring theme in the comments on my articles, it’s the difference between techniques for self-defense, sport, ‘bunkai’, or some form of ‘kumite’ in the dojo. . Over the years, I’ve addressed misconceptions about self-defense that often lead people to confuse what works in a controlled environment…