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
Self-Defense
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.
When the Guard Changes the Problem
Why the habits that make sense in a fight may work against us in self-protection In boxing we were taught
Knowing When to Kick
Kicks have value in self-protection, but their usefulness depends on context, timing, and the person using them. Kicks can be
Teaching the Fight First
Many self-defense classes begin at the point where self-protection has already failed. Self-defense. Everyone teaches it, right? It’s written on
