(2 minute read) The comments on my articles often inspire me to write another, whether those comments are good or bad. Many are interesting and show a diverse understanding, and sometimes highlighting misunderstandings too. . So, thank you to everyone who follows and comments on my articles. . The foundation of any karate technique lies…
Tag: Zen
“Know the cause of your ignorance.”
(1 minute 35 second read) Have you ever encountered someone who seems completely stuck in their ways? Someone who refuses to consider any viewpoint but their own? That’s the hallmark of a closed mind. . And boy, have I had a few of these in the comments on my articles lately. . A closed-minded person…
As your child practices Karate, they’re not just mastering kicks and punches. They’re also building confidence and inner strength.
(1 minute 45 second read) Let’s talk about something crucial – if you teach the martial arts, it’s not just about teaching your students how to fight. Fighting isn’t always the answer. Especially if you’re dealing with kids. . Teaching your students how to avoid trouble is extremely important, this is the first line of…
Memorization Isn’t Enough: Master the Art of Using, Analyzing, and Adapting Your Skills.
(1 minute 35 second read) Just like any other pursuit, true learning in the martial arts goes beyond rote memorization. It’s not about simply accumulating facts, but about developing the ability to use, analyze, and adapt the skills you’re taught. . Rote memorization may have its place in the initial stages of learning, providing a…
Are you Speaking the Language of Karate? Then Get it Right from the Start.
(1 minute 48 second read) Do you use Japanese terminology in your dojo? . I always tell my students that karate originated from Okinawa and Japan, thus it is common to use Japanese terminology and other cultural aspects in the dojo. . But why bother? What difference does it make? There are many dojo where…
Chaos Training: Building Confidence Under Pressure.
(2 minute read) Some of the comments on my articles recently seem to be producing quite a range of interesting views. . One such comment seemed to suggest that the methods of pressure testing I mentioned in an article; – “to include in your practice pressure testing; unknown wild attacks, pushing, pulling, grabbing, verbal escalation,…
Sensei Under Fire: The Unexpected Downside of Karate Titles.
(2 minute 28 second read) If often receive damming comments when I write an article which has anything to do with belts, grades or titles. . The whole system of awarding belts, grades and titles, seems to be a sensitive topic for many karate practitioners….. and for those that don’t practice. . The “Shogo” (称号)…
It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate.
(2 minute 4 second read) It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate. . ‘Shodan’ (初段), first-degree (first-level) black-belt, is the bedrock of your karate practice. It’s the foundation you build upon, the launchpad for your continued development. . Earning your Shodan signifies the completion of your initial training,…
Ditch the perfect demo and embrace the glorious messiness of real-world failure.
(2 minute 13 second read) The martial arts require demonstration to supplement the whole teaching process. I get it. I demonstrate to my students. However, I always incorporate some level of failure into my demonstrations. . Why? Because a real life attack is unpredictable, chaotic, vicious, and brutal. Your techniques will probably not go as…
Master the toolbox, not just the hammer….
(1 minute 40 second read) Imagine a toolbox filled with tools; wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, these tools can fix many things….. but how you use them depends on the job. . The martial arts are like those tools – different methods have different goals. . Karate, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, MMA, Boxing – these are all different fighting…
“It is challenging to make someone comprehend something when their beliefs or identity are tied to not understanding it.”
(2 minute read) It never ceases to amaze me, from the comments on my articles, how many people have such strong opinions about the martial arts, particularly the practice of kata, despite a complete lack of experience. The internet amplifies these uninformed voices, creating a cacophony of assumptions that drown out the true value of…
Don’t Just Do Your Kata….. Know Your Kata.
(2 minute 6 second read) I’ve been writing articles for several years now, and probably the most commented and contentious subject of all that I write about has to be Kata. . People just don’t get it. Sadly, there is widespread misunderstanding about this centuries old tradition. . I can’t blame them, as today most…