Category Archives: Self Protection

The thing that I have always liked about the Martial Arts and Karate generally is how varied it can be to the individual. In that regardless of Art or System practiced the benefits inherent can vary from health, wellbeing, sport to self-protection, and of course following the Traditional Ways that we know as Budo. What must always be remembered is that just like in life, it is all down to your personal choice and preferences. Even the way that I see many practice Goju these days, really is not for me at all, but I also accept that my chosen way is not to the liking of others also. Wouldn’t life be pretty bland if we all liked the same things… This clip regardless of the silly heading shows how a Karate that maybe a million miles apart from that […]

Staying on topic with my recent blog post regarding Fighting Karate. The following sayings do then come to mind “Train Hard & Fight Easy”, — “It’s Not the Dog in the Fight, but the Fight in the Dog”, — “Face it, Fight it, Finish it”,—“Train and Fight as though your life Depends on it”. Fights are not nice; they are in fact potentially life changing brutal affairs. Of which no reasonably nice person wishes to either attract or frequent them, they are in fact a fools endeavor. As Karate Ka though we do really have to be fully aware of reality, especially so if we wish for our Karate to be effectively operational in such times of need. Trying to use a flashy Kumite sequence or apply a fancy put together Bunkai move in the street, could well see you […]

I accept that my postings on here are at times are a little sporadic, this is for several reasons. I certainly enjoy writing about Karate and the Martial Arts so it isn’t due to lack of enthusiasm or things to write about, basically I much prefer training than I do talking about it or teaching. Therefore, after work and family commitments being a practising Karate Ka will always take priority. My intention is still to continue to drop the odd post on here from time to time. However, I also post regularly by way of social media or Facebook. There is no motive or agenda I just find it all very quick and easy. I do accept that at first, I was more than a little sceptical as generally I’m not the biggest fan of social media, but by setting […]

A plaque hung upon the Dojo wall “Karate is a Lifelong Battle, You Verses Yourself, There is No One Else”.  The words were there for all who entered to take in and learn from. I always found this to be a sentiment that was both inspiring and kind of a reminder that I could neither rely on or blame anyone else for my shortcomings. Be it not turning up to the Dojo regularly, the same for putting little effort in and being lazy. I certainly couldn’t blame anyone else for my poor performances of technique or Kata, plus any flaws in character were my very own too. Yes, all the challenges and battles to be faced whilst studying Karate and in life itself were personal ones that lay firmly at my own feet, so if I wished to fully understand […]

I have received more than my fair share of e mails regarding my last blog post titled “Is Your Karate up for Fighting”. Most are expressing sentiments that studying Karate has got nothing to do with fighting. One person even wrote this, Thugs look for fights so if that is the reason that you practise karate are you any different? Look let’s get to the point here! I don’t practise Karate with thoughts of confrontation or intentions of fighting anyone, of course I don’t, fighting is for fools. I am just like so many other decent people out there who have got far better things to do and be concentrating on than brawls, as in being happy and living life to the full, I see Karate as an art to enhance ones life. Like I said in my previous blog […]

Over the years I have slowly seen peoples faith in Karate as an effective form of self-protection or as a fighting art someone diminish, and if truth beknown I generally tend to agree. Or on the contrary some are more than a little deluded when it comes to in fight reality. The thing is a lot of the Karate that is taught these days (not all by any means) has had its fundamental basis changed, or more simply it has been watered down and lost its craft. If the emphasis of a Karate and its Kata is on form not function, you make it in to a sport touch tag match, take out all of the heavy contact and hard challenges, plus lose crucial hands on training dills as you give out black belts to 6-year-old kids. Then of course […]

“If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War One of things that I was taught and learned early on in my study of the Fighting Arts was that planning and percentages was of major importance and always worth considering and keeping one eye focused on. Even more so when it came to understand how to use ones skills in confrontation. The above quote by the famous Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu is well known and outlines the importance of such, but many Martial Artists often read his works and even quote […]