One of the Most Important Lessons a Child Can Learn

One of the Most Important Lessons a Child Can Learn

One of the most important qualities we can help our children acquire is what used to be called stick-to-itive-ness. It is a quality which is seriously lacking in many Americans today, especially in our young people. Those who possess or acquire this most important of qualities should be allowed to live full, happy, successful lives.

I Want to Quit

I Want to Quit

The most important reason to not quit is what it does for you. It sets you on a path of success. Not quiting proves to yourself that you can do things - that you can accomplish a goal. It also builds self confidence, focus, self control and self discipline - all character traits that are vital to any success.

Protecting Against Karate’s Most Common Injuries

Protecting Against Karate’s Most Common Injuries

Always wear as much protective equipment as you can without reducing your visibility, technical options, mobility, or speed. Since the most common injuries to martial artists are generally those to the shins and toes, these areas should be as well protected as possible.

Etiquette Bullet List

Etiquette Bullet List

Etiquette plays an important role in our karate training. It makes us aware of what is going on around us, is a sign of respect, and is just common courtesy.

Training at Home

Training at Home

One of the best ways to improve within the martial arts is to practice outside the dojo.

Mastery Beyond The Physical Level

Mastery Beyond The Physical Level

...helps to bring out the person that lies within you that can stand relaxed and courageous against the bully, the unruly, and the person who is aggressive and rude. You can begin to go beyond the physical level to become a true master of the martial arts.

Rank in Karate

Rank in Karate

A belt - even a black belt - in karate won’t win any fights for you or make you a better person. It’s what you know and can perform that’s important. That’s your true rank.

Twisting the Forearm

Twisting the Forearm

In punching, the forearm is thrust directly at the target. The twisting motion, similar to the rifling in a gun barrel, helps the fist travel in a straight course to the target.

The Secret To Becoming A Black Belt

The key factor that enabled them to become Black Belts was their ability to attend regularly and to keep working towards the achievement of their Black Belts no matter what else came up in their lives.

For the Sake of Our Children

For the Sake of Our Children

If karate were part of everyone’s life in their youth what wondrous achievements would we all accomplish? It seems to bring out the very best in our children and it’s seen in their attitudes and in their academic performance as well.

Speed in Techniques

Speed in Techniques

Speed has a great influence on all techniques in karate. Without speed, most techniques would be of little value. Is speed everything? No. You must first learn a technique well...

Karate Titles

Karate Titles

Sensei means “Teacher.” It is usually considered proper to address the instructor during practice as "Sensei" rather than by his/her name. If the instructor is a permanent instructor for one’s dojo or for an organization, it is proper to address him/her as "Sensei" off the mat as well.

Our Martial Arts Roots

Our Martial Arts Roots

Reputed to be the father of Asian martial arts, China played a large role in the development of martial arts in Japan and Korea. Okinawa's karate, the root of Japan's present day karate traces it origins back to the Shaolin kung fu of China's Fukien province.

Proper Foot Placement

Proper Foot Placement

In order to maximize the power generated by the hips during a technique, the hips must be firmly “connected” to the ground. In this lies the importance of stance in karate. Without proper stance and proper movement from one stance to the next, the power generated by the hips cannot be maximized. In the book Best Karate – Fundamentals, Master Nakayama...

10 Tips to Reduce Stress

10 Tips to Reduce Stress

With Christmas just a week away, I thought this list would be a good thing to post. While they don't have anything directly to do with karate they are about having a healthier lifestyle. Of course, practicing your karate would have to be at the top of any stress reduction list.

Creating Stronger Bonds Within Your Family

Creating Stronger Bonds Within Your Family

The kanji for piety shows the correct relationship between a true martial artist and his/her parents. Two symbols are actually presented. The symbol for elder rests above that of child, showing that a child always defers to, supports, and is dedicated to his/her parents.

Reishiki and Class Etiquette

Reishiki and Class Etiquette

Honor the art and all who have contributed to it in the person of the teacher by bowing to the teacher. With the bow you also honor your own potential.

Common Points in Kicking

Common Points in Kicking

In karate, the front, side and back kicks (“geri”) are three of our basic techniques. While they are three distinct techniques, and can be best utilized in different situations, there are still many commonalities.

Accelerate Your Advancement in Karate

Accelerate Your Advancement in Karate

Advancement can be slow or fast, steady or inconsistent. With no extra practice outside the dojo, a student may fail a test and have to wait until the next test to advance.

What is the Shomen in the dojo?

What is the Shomen in the dojo?

  This week for our etiquette lesson we go to the front of the dojo – to the shomen.  The top character of the kanji for shomen, sho, depicts a foot and with the center line representing travel in the right or proper direction. The bottom character, men, depicts a human head – with the outside box indicating the face, specifically. Together...

The Four Stages to Knowing a Technique

The Four Stages to Knowing a Technique

One of the keys to being a successful martial artist is unity of mind, spirit and body that presents itself in the form of a finely tuned and highly accurate technique.

How Fear Can Be Used to Your Advantage

How Fear Can Be Used to Your Advantage

Fear is essential to survival. Yet it is one of the least accepted human emotions and one of the hardest to master.

Learn How to Accept Change

Learn How to Accept Change

  Making change in our personal lives can be one of the most challenging experiences we can undertake. Diets, exercise, health, career changes, friends and finances can be viewed as positive change or negative setbacks. Life’s long and winding road can be stunningly beautiful and filled with joyful adventures. It can also be filled with drama, trauma...

Reading: One of Our Most Valuable Tools

Reading: One of Our Most Valuable Tools

  Because there is such a tremendous amount of information now available about a wide range of aspects related to the martial arts, it is an especially good time to be a martial artist. Probably the best, most accessible of this information is the large number of books now available on a variety of subjects. Throughout most of the reported 2,000 to 5,000...

Yoga

Yoga

Yoga is a wonderful art that aids in centering, balance and stress reduction. Through assisted yoga postures, guided breathing and meditation you can experience ...

Karate for Adults

Karate for Adults

The art of authentic Japanese Karate blends physical, mental, and spiritual elements.   Karate offers life-changing benefits not found in any other activity. It is fun yet challenging, honing you gradually into the best shape of your life.     “I’ve learned to control my thinking and to keep all the outward distractions from...

Karate: Kids & Teens

Karate: Kids & Teens

The self-image, self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-control your child develops today will determine the level of happiness he or she will have as an adult.       “Kurt and I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for the kids over the years. We believe the skills they have learned through your teachings are...

SafeChild

SafeChild

SafeChildTM – Anti-abduction Program for Children   Few things are more frightening to parents today then the possible abduction of one of their children. Once taken, many children are never recovered. Those fortunate few who do return home never come back the same child they were before they were abducted.     “Thank you for...

StreetWise

StreetWise

StreetWise is a unique self defense course developed by world-renown self defense expert Jim Mather. It is designed to give the student real life scenarios and ...