It’s never too late to start this journey of self discovery. Even as adults we can often feel overwhelmed at the thought starting martial arts. Regardless of how old you are there’s no downside for you to be physically active. In fact health professionals agree, just how important it is for you to maintain your…
What is karate and grappling fusion ? As a well-versed martial artist with a love of both the striking and the grappling arts. Karate , with its vast history and comprehensive approach to self-defence, has long been known for its effective striking techniques and philosophical depth. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and judo for power of joint…
What is staying focused with zanshin really mean ? I have really got inspired over the years by some of the most amazing Japanese philosophies. That are so valuable not only in martial arts but also in life. Recently I delved into the concepts of Kaizen and Mushin. But now let’s take a deeper look…
The art of mushin is the concept commonly known as Zen Buddhism and taught in various martial arts. Such as Kendo (Kenjutsu), Kyudo (Kyujutsu), Judo (Jujutsu), Karate and Aikido. Mushin is a state of mind where pure mental clarity, is achieved by the control of one’s ego or limited self. In karate it commonly taught…
The evolution of karate is quite interesting topic . In a previous post I educated you on shotokan karate history. But now let’s delve even further into the rich history of karate in this dynamic post. From its roots in Okinawa to its global popularity today, learn all about this dynamic martial art. WHAT IS KARATE?…
So what is the philosophy behind bunkai.? This concept is a known Karate technique where kata is deconstructed and studied for its offensive and defensive elements. Let’s say your sensei selected a portion of a kata in order to show its practitioners how this kata element could be used to defend against an attack (straight punch, side kick,…
Going from setback to comeback is important when training in any physical contact sport. Martial Artists are also not immune from getting an injury or two as go through their journey. The combination of techniques and sparring are known skills that can be hard on the muscles, joints and ligaments. This is especially true if…
As a Martial Artist, learning the science behind sparring and how we can improve is what will truly empower a martial artist. I am not talking about kumite (competition sparring ) but more in a self defence concept. It does not matter if you are standing, grappling, big, small, strong or weak. By obtaining and…
What is unleashing the power of kiai in martial arts? This is a common question that seems to pop up everywhere. But now that I think about it, we could ask the same question about tennis players. Screaming and vocalisation play a significant role in various sports. Including martial arts e.g. karate, taekwondo or kung…
Achieving mastery through kaizen is a beautiful Japanese philosophy that we should all practice and draw strength from in such a ever changing world. Regardless if it’s martial arts, business or in life we should all continue to learn and have continuous improvements. The kaizen philosophy has been applied around the world and used by…
What is Striking vs grappling analysis? Regardless if you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist, there’s a couple of questions that usually comes into mind. When you decide to begin your martial arts journey. What should I train in a striking or grappling art ? . Is one better than the other in…
Regardless if you’re a beginner or advanced martial artist learning the importance of breaking down karate terminologies is so crucial. As every martial artist has discovered, that memorising all your techniques and katas can be a challenging process within itself. But then you have to add the ability to incorporate learning and remembering these skills…
What is shotokan karate demystified? If you have researched martial arts or karate, then you would have come across this style. Shotokan karate is one of the most ancient and influential styles of karate around the world. This style places a strong emphasis on kihon (basics), which concentrates on strong stances, punches, kicks, and blocks….
What is breaking the ego barrier in martial arts? Regardless if you’re a highly trained martial artist or you a just a beginner. Nothing interferes with your training more than a martial artist with an uncontrolled ego. One of the first things I got taught when first stepping onto a dojo mat was “Leave your…
BEYOND THE BELT : PREPARATION FOR MARTIAL ARTS BELT EXAMS? What is beyond the belt : preparation for martial arts belt exams? Have you ever heard that famous quote by Miyamoto Musashi “You can only fight the way you practice” Words of wisdom that I once came across many years ago. The meaning I took…