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.

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.

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 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.

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

...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.

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.

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 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.

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 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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

  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...

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.

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