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
Self-Defense
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
Before It Becomes a Fight
Why self-protection begins long before physical contact. There was another shooting near me recently. One person was killed and another
The Problem Inspires the Technique
Why familiar mechanics can mean different things in different contexts The commonality of technique across the martial arts is that
Zanshin: The Situation May Not Be Over
Why awareness should remain after the technique has finished Zanshin (残心) is often translated as “remaining mind” or “lingering mind.”
I’ll Just Use My Weight
Size and strength matter, but neither can guarantee how long you’ll have to keep going. In a sport like heavyweight
What Should a Black Belt Represent?
If the purpose of karate has changed over the years, has the meaning of its most recognized grade changed with
Karate’s Many Hand Techniques
Karate has names for countless hand formations, but usefulness depends on whether the body can adapt when precision and control
The Warning We Quietly Give Ourselves
What training quietly removes before the attack has even begun. As senior practitioners, we have a responsibility to pass karate
The Fence Is More Than the Position of the Hands
Why the fence is not simply another guard, but a way of managing distance, communication and intent before violence begins.
