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
Two-Person Drills
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 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
Did Kata Begin With Two-Person Drills?
What we know, what seems likely, and where the evidence runs out A question came up recently that I think
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
Three Years on a Kata?
What if learning another kata was meant to mean learning another way of dealing with the problem When we began
Correct According to What?
Why judging martial arts technique by appearance alone can miss the point. One of the problems with discussing martial arts
What We Didn’t Practice
What repetition teaches us, and what can happen when something changes. When I opened my dojo back in the UK
What Happens When the Other Person Stops Helping?
What resistance reveals about the difference between learning a method and being able to use it. If we say that
If It Doesn’t Serve the Purpose
When karate is taught as self-protection, every part of the training should serve that purpose. Kata, kihon, and two-person drills
