Im often asked the question Which is better, Karate or Taekwondo?; Which is stronger, Judo or Kung Fu?; or more direct questions such as Could you beat a Mixed Martial artist in a fight?
Why Are Basics So Important In Karate?
Do I have to practice this again? I know how to do it already. Why can I not learn the next punch and the next form? Do I still have to do the things that WHITE BELTS do?!?
Why Does It Take So Long To Get A Black Belt In Karate?
Many of you reading this article may already be well on your way to becoming a black belt in your chosen martial art. Some of you may just be starting out on your journey and others may have reached the coveted black belt and are now working towards higher degrees of the black belt.
Why Do We Have To Bow So Much?
In many karate schools around the world the traditional practice of bowing is being continued regardless of the country of origin and of whether the bow matches that countrys particular culture. The very act of stepping into a karate dojo or a Taekwondo dojang often means that you have entered into a mini-cultural experience that you never expected.
Will My Martial Art Get Me To The UFC?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity and ratings over the past couple of years. Love it or hate it, it looks like the UFC is here to stay. Consequently many men in the 18 34 demographic are becoming more interested in the martial arts.
What Should I Look For In A Good Karate School Or Instructor?
With the increase in popularity of the martial arts more and more people are searching for a good karate school and a good instructor. There are many great schools and instructors out there and unfortunately there are as many not so good. How do you tell the difference? What should you look for in a good instructor since the instructor in most cases is the school?
To Compete Or Not To Compete, Some Important Questions To Ask!
A significant number of people get into karate to be able to participate in tournaments. Are you one of these people? Or did you start karate and then discover that youre actually pretty good and you want to test your skills against different opponents? Either way this article looks at some simple ways to see if youre ready for tournament participation. Here are the questions you should ask yourself and your instructor:
The Dos And Donts Of Karate Etiquette
Have you ever walked into a karate school and wondered what all of the rigid hierarchy and bowing is all about? Are you currently a new member of a karate studio and are wondering what all of the foreign words and chanting means? Or are you an avid student who still wonders what it all means when you enter your Mini Martial Arts Experience every Wednesday evening at 6pm? Lots of people share your confusion and many people wonder if it is all necessary.
The Five Core Ethics Of The Martial Arts
Many martial arts schools around the world promote a philosophy of self-improvement as well as an expected standard of technical skill. When you think about it, it is the philosophy rather than the technical skill that should influence every practitioners daily life.
The Hidden Costs Of Choosing The Wrong Style Of Martial Arts Karate
A lot of people nowadays are getting into the martial arts and choosing a school without even knowing which style of martial arts the school teaches. Some schools are not totally clear on what their style is as many are practicing and teaching a hybrid mix of multiple arts. Is this a problem? Should you know which style you practice? Are clearly lineated styles even important? The easy answer to all of these questions is yes and no. Unfortunately there are hidden costs involv…
The Importance Of Effective Discipline In A Martial Arts Class
One of the main reasons parents enroll their children in martial arts is discipline. You have seen it before. A parent enrolls their child in your class expecting you to suddenly and indefinitely whip them into shape so that they never answer back or behave badly. The problem is that their child has a limited attention span and uncontrollable energy.
The Importance Of Having A Beginners Mind As A Karate Instructor
As karate instructor or high-level practitioners of the martial arts, it is often useful to remember where we came from and how we got to where we are. Our journeys were not always easy and our students deserve to know about our own mistakes and experiences to illustrate that we too are human and went through many of the same struggles that they are faced with in their practices. Here is one such story from my own development as a martial artist.