The Ground Beneath Your Feet
What we wear, where we stand, and the realities of practical karate. When looking at the origins of karate on
Practical Karate
Whose Balance Are We Thinking About?
Understanding kuzushi as a principle, rather than a particular technique. We spend a great deal of time in karate learning
Have We Been Looking at the Stepping Punch the Wrong Way?
A familiar movement, an old training memory, and a different way of looking at things. Something occurred to me recently
When the Label Becomes the Lesson
A throw, a stance, and what we think we’re seeing. When we first begin learning karate, almost everything we’re taught
Hikite: More Than a Movement
Looking beyond the movement we practice. One of the most familiar movements in karate is the withdrawing hand. We see
The Opponent Is Only Part of the Problem
Why being able to perform a movement isn’t the same as being able to use it. When we think about
The Question We Keep Asking About Kata
Perhaps we’ve been looking for the answer in the wrong place. A few days ago, someone left a comment on
The Point Where Training Pushes Back
When training pushes back, what we believe gets tested. Years ago, when I still lived in the UK, I had
How Do We Use Kata Effectively?
If the original meaning is uncertain, what makes an application useful? When I talk about using kata effectively, I don’t
When Choreography Becomes Application
When unrealistic attacks, compliant partners, and inherited explanations are mistaken for practical bunkai. Every day on social media, you can
