100 Kata Challenge
On Saturday October 24, 2020, we took part in a 100 Kata Challenge. At our full-time dojo we gathered to perform 100 kata of our choice. Some people did a few kata many times, some did ten kata ten times, or even more kata fewer times. I took some timelapse of the event. Our black…
10 point kata practice
While we were doing karate via Zoom, we spent several weeks practicing a kata of our choice with these 10 foci. It was so helpful! I really enjoy this type of practice. The way we practiced these was to perform our kata ten times, each time adding one of these principles to focus on. Intention…
Things my instructors say
Be your own Sensei! Be aware of what you’re doing, listen to feedback, remember it, apply it. Don’t always wait for people to tell you what to correct. If you have a question, it’s great to ask it (my Sensei can tell you, I ask lots of questions), but also, think it through… why would…
Mnemonics: part 1
Pat the dog, tickle the dog, good boy. This one is Sensei James’ device for the flowing hands in Bassai-dai. I’ve used it several times to teach lower grades this move and it has been quite effective! Oh, you’re sooo annoying! This one is mine for remembering the Japanese terms for footwork: oi ashi, yori…
Grading
A grading is made meaningful by what you’ve had to overcome to get it Iain Abernethy I’ve paraphrased it a little because he was talking about dan black belt gradings in 2020. I think this sentiment applies to anyone grading in 2020, who has kept training through lockdowns and distance rules, and all the other…
5 Principles of Self Defence
Awareness is the first, can you name any others? 1. Awareness Awareness of your surroundings as well as a confident posture will often make you a less desirable target, avoiding the need for further self-defence. Still, in a defensive situation you need to remain aware of your own body and mind, the surrounding people, and…
Should kata start and finish in the same spot?
Always, never, sometimes? I’ve received answers ranging from definitely to I think so, but should they, and perhaps more importantly do they? This topic came up among a group of brown belts recently. I was of the opinion that Taigyoku Shodan (our first kata) doesn’t finish in the same spot. I was told that all…
No challenge too great
“One whose spirit and mental strength have been strengthened by sparring with a never-say-die attitude…” One whose spirit and mental strength have been strengthened by sparring with a never-say-die attitude should find no challenge too great to handle. One who has undergone long years of physical pain and mental agony to learn one punch, one…
Anger is a luxury
For many of us anger is easily triggered and difficult to let go, but it’s a luxury that we might not be able to afford. A man is like steel. Once he loses his temper, he is worthless Unknown (Japanese proverb) Have a read of this article The Luxury of Anger. It makes some great…
Be Your Own Sensei 