The Development of Partner Drills Many (although not all) martial arts styles include partner drills in their curriculum, but in some styles of karate the partner drills do not reflect effective karate at all, and this can be detrimental to…
Back Home I am currently on leave from the United States Air Force Academy and made sure to stop in at my old karate school while back in Indiana. For those who don’t read my blog regularly or haven’t seen…
Martial Arts Change There has been a pretty interesting discussion going on in the comment sections of my last two articles (Changing the Perception of Karate and Adapting Karate to the Local Culture) and I thought I would continue my thoughts…
Chinese Origins Anaku (also known as Ananku) is a kata that has its origins in Xing-Yi (also written Hsing-Yi or Tsing-Yi), a Chinese martial art based on linear movement, and the current versions were influenced by Shuri-te, the name given…
Lack of Posts Lately Seems fitting that I start his article off by apologizing for the lack of posting lately on my part and give a huge thanks to all of the other writers that help make this site possible.…
From Dance to Practical Application In kata we practice sequences of techniques and choreographed steps and various stances. In the beginning we do these things because we are supposed to and we trust that they will make us better without…
The Example Gichin Funakoshi never had the intention of beginning his own style (ryu) of Karate. He taught the twenty guiding principals of Karate in which he describes the aims of Karate as a whole. He has taught eclecticism, blending…
Buddhist Influence I have often talked about the influence of Buddhist philosophy on Karate-do’s beliefs on ethics. Someone recently made the point that philosophy is an ever ending and ever changing idea that moves between cultures. To say that Buddhism…
Kobudo While not talked about very much on this site (yet), weapons training is a large part of my curriculum when I teach and when I was taught. For many, it is an outdated tradition that isn’t practical in the…
Mystery Surrounding the Man For most karate students, the name Wú Xiánguì means absolutely nothing unless you like to read. He is rarely mentioned in books, except in passing, and his name is never discussed in classes, but the man has…
The Analogy Karate training can be very much like a pine tree in many ways–it starts as a seed and develops roots that form a solid foundation for it to grow from, and as it grows it branches out, far…
This article is the class notes for 01/23/2012. It contains: 1) Revised Testing Procedures 2) Pinan Series 3) Pinan Application 4) Sparring 5) Tegumi
Karate contains sweeps, throws and other types of takedown techniques within the movements of kata. Many of these are obvious to those who practice grappling arts, but some techniques are disguised within kata due to changes in how they have been performed by various instructors through the generations since the kata was developed.
Last night my Sensei’s instructor, Kyoshi Eddie Bethea, gave a “combat karate” seminar at our dojo that goes over applications for techniques pulled from kata. I attended his seminar last year and both times, now, it has been educational and…
With my three year mark as 3rd Dan quickly approaching, the possibility of promotion to 4th Dan is now a possibility. How does this work for someone who isn't part of a large organization? I want to explore this and the general idea of promotions when it is just you at the top of your school.
Introduction The Pinan Series is comprised of five katas. They were created by Yasutsune “Anko” Itosu. Sensei Itosu is often referred to as the father of modern karate. This title is shared with Gichin Funakoshi (Okinawan Karate vs Japanese Karate).…
This article is the class notes for 10/07/2011. It contains: 1) Kihon Kata 2) Picking Partners 3) Naihanchi Series 4) Practicing Naihanchi Bunkai 5) Ready to Test
This article is a discussion about the definition of "Good Karate". The sections include: 1) Comments 2) Reaction 3) Fundamental Kata 4) What is Good Karate 5) Constructive Criticism
This article is the class notes for 09/21/2011. It contains: 1) Talk About This Year's Karateka 2) My New Rank Requirements 3) Kihon Kata 4) Naihanchi Series 5) Kendo
This article is an administrative update on the website. In it there is: 1) Karate Manual 2) Synchronization 3) Be Patient 4) Learning from Videos 5) Slow Transition
Prerequisites Single Hand Knife Block (Shuto Uke) Performed in horse stance, the blocking arm goes out almost completely straight with the hand tight and the fingers together and pointed up towards the ceiling. The blocking surface is the ridge along…
This article is the class notes for 07/22/2011. It contains: 1) Sumo Wrestling 2) Rules of Sumo Wrestling 3) Uses for Children 4) Uses for Adults 5) Brackets
This article is the class notes for 07/18/2011. It contains: 1) Home Dojo 2) Shorinkan Kata 3) Teaching Other Instructor's Students 4) Uniform Rules 5) Other Black Belts
This article is the class notes for 05/04/2011. It contains: 1) Ian Abernethy 2) Book: "Bunkai-Jutsu" 3) Makiwara Practice 4) Naihanchi 5) Videos and Questions
Juju Undo: The Karateka’s Shadowboxing Shadowboxing is a fantastic tool that boxers use to work technique, timing, speed, movement and cardiovascular fitness. Karateka have the a similar tool called juju undo, which is literally translated as “give-and-receive exercise” or, more…
This article is the class notes for 05/03/2011. It contains: 1) Naihanchi Shodan 2) Makiwara Practice 3) Overwhelm the Attacker 4) Blocking Drill 5) Spartacus Kendo
This article is the class notes for 04/29/2011. It contains: 1) Kihon Kata 2) Kihon Kata Bunkai 3) Naihanchi Shodan Bunkai 4) Naihanchi Shodan 5) Balance and Timing Games
Less Common Strikes While striking with fists and open hands is the most commonly seen aspect of empty handed striking it is also important to train the less commonly seen strikes with the arms. The back of the wrist, the…
