Spartacus Maximus

The simplest things like punches, kicks and blocks are often the most overlooked. With limited time to train, they are also one of the most productive things to practise. I also like to try to work on a point from the last lesson that I was corrected on.

The one kata lesson is probably closer to the training method used by the Okinawans before karate gained popularity. Testimony and records of several Okinawan karateka attest to this. Hohan Soken of orthodox Shorin ryu comes to mind. Training in that way is the first step towards developing applicable skills and intimate in depth knowledge of karate techniques. Unfortunately, most students come with a consumer mentality requiring instant or short-term results. If two hours spent on a single kata seems long and boring, such students would likely quit if asked to continue at the same pace every single day for just one year, let alone ten. That is surely the most challenging aspect of the one-kata lesson: keeping it interesting for the average student.

Usually training time in the dojo is divided into several parts. When looking at kata it is obvious that a single one, even the shortest contains enough material for an entire lesson. Some of the longer kata might have enough for two or three. The last time I was in the dojo, the whole two hours was spent on Naihanchi shodan. The entire lesson on a single kata. Has anyone else ever done this before and what is the longest time ever spent on practising material from a single kata?

The key is to keep the explanations brief and the sequences of techniques short. Small scale is good for everyone, not just for those with short attention spans. It makes the material easier to take in and practise. After a brief explanation of the purpose of each move students can immediately start drilling the sequence. The sooner students can start drilling a two to three move sequence, the less they will doze off. Keep the details and discussion for afterwards. Age certainly is a factor to consider and everything should be adjusted to fit. Ideally, it would be advisable to reserve the teaching of anything but the most elementary applications to students 16 or older. Young children simply do not have the ability to concentrate for long enough or comprehend anything more than simple physical movements.

I have a preference for the way I am being taught. The method consists of breaking down a kata into two or three move segments. Every segment is drilled individually first and then practised as a partner exercise gradually faster and eventually as a short kumite. The next step is practising all the segments in order with partners attacking from all sides. Once this can be done, variations of the techniques are slowly introduced. At an advanced level students are expected to do kumite using the content of a predetermined kata.

Training in karate has always been a very private and personal matter. The less people know the better it is. Any evaluation of progress or recognition of skill level is between the sensei and the student concerned. In my dojo, only the kyu rank promotions are immediately obvious because one day somebody shows up with a different colour belt(only 3 before black). For the Dan levels it is less obvious and most will not announce it.

Sometimes loyalty to an organization can be taken too far. After years of involvement and dedication people become very attached to the idea of contributing to a collective endeavour. This is human nature: the feeling of doing something for others of seeking to be in a group and having their approval. In the martial arts world, associations and organization are formed by students for the purpose of perpetuating a certain teacher's system and methods. Beyond a certain number of students it becomes more difficult to maintain and differences begin to emerge. A student's first duty should always be to his teacher. Even if at some point the student decides to leave, it should be done in a way that is respectful. The teacher and what he teaches or how he does it is more important than the organization to which he belongs.

I really hope they do have the creativity to keep it going. I wouldn't mind if they made a movie with the characters, it definitely has enough of an audience for it. It is even more amusing to me because there are people out there who, at least for a time took master ken seriously when he is so obviously joking. The man is also a real-life martial artist. I don't think he could be so good at parodying martial arts if he were just an ordinary comedian.

Everyone has different priorities but what is impossible to control or predict is weather or not these are compatible with those of others around. Having martial arts as a priority is the reason for a good portion of difficult life choices for many a lifetime devotee

Having a supportive and understanding spouse is certainly lucky, but there can still be very difficult compromises. There was a time when I was convinced that one had to be alone and living almost monk-like to practise martial arts.

The idea of karate(and martial arts in general) is to make the whole body stronger and each limb into powerful defensive weapons. An attack may come from any side and having a weaker side means being open on that side. This is a serious handicap but it can be changed by training. The usual recommendation is 10/20. Anything done with the right should be practised 10 times more with the left. Everyone has a dominant side, but one must be able to switch at anytime and use whatever side available. Left dominant individuals might have a slight natural advantage because most people are right-handed and will attack naturally with that side first. This means an attack is much more likely to come to one's left side. Also quite telling is the fact that many kata begin with the left side.

The techniques and defining fundamental principles were always part of karate, however it is highly probable that the terminology in use today appeared at the time karate was beginning to be taught to large groups. This first occurred in Okinawan schools under teachers such as Itosu Anko around 1900. Prior to that instruction was much more personal and done in secret. Perhaps teaching groups required all the techniques to be codified and categorized. What is important is not so much learning individual techniques, but the principles of how they work. Focus on what is common to all the "blocks" and whatever is done with that principle applied will be effective.

Part of the problem with the idea of a "block" comes from the attempt to translate an Eastern concept into Western terms. The actual concept is less about stopping the attack than it is about exploiting it while counter-attacking. This idea is a fundamental principle in Okinawan karate and Chinese martial arts. Uke actually means "receive" if translated literally. The block-and-then-attack is easier to explain and understand for beginners, but when applied the "block" is both defense and counter at the same time. If the techniques are practised and taught with this in mind, the specifics are less important.

If one is ready and has the ability to teach as well as whatever else is necessary, there is no reason that this person should not be allowed to do so in whatever location is available. The type of control Sensei8 mentioned sounds rediculous. How would an established dojo possibly enforce the non-compete idea? What happened when someone ignored it?

The truth is that the majority of people who practise martial arts are doing it for reasons other than self-defense. As long as they enjoy going to a dojo, most people will continue without ever questioning anything they are being taught. If all martial arts schools trained and taught for self-defense only, there would be a lot less of them and even less students. Martial arts as originally intended is not easy. It is not a hobby or a game. It is repetitive, demanding and exhausting. This type of training is definitely not for everyone and few people have the perseverance and dedication to put themselves through it.

In Shorin ryu as well as other Okinawan schools the age uke is always done with the blocking arm passing in front of the retracting arm. This is the same for all uke techniques. With every type block the arms cross in front of the body to leave no gaps by keeping the movement short and tight to the body. Keep in mind that blocks are only called that because of what they look like and the way they are performed is meant to teach the correct application which is simultaneous offense and defense. As such there are no blocks in karate and blocks are not meant to be used the way they are done in basics. Age uke for example, could be used as either a counter punch knocking the attacking arm and fist as it strikes the attacker's upper area. Another possibility commonly taught is as an arm bar aimed under the jaw. All this is always with the lead hand or whichever is closer to the target. That is one reason why the "blocking" arm trajectory is in front of the retracting arm.

The story I am referring to is one that I remember reading in a book about Okinawan karate by Mark Bishop. I will try to find it again as the names and style of the master involved escapes me. I know for fact that a well trained and correctly aimed kick can cause all sorts of nasty internal damage. Especially from an expert with years of toe conditioning. However, I cannot imagine how the foot could possibly cut or tear the skin of the area struck. Uncut toenails maybe? Or perhaps some sort of weapon akin to the hand-claws used by the ninja?

The history of martial arts, especially those of China and Okinawa are full of stories about masters and experts who were known for having extraordinary skills. Knowing that in Chinese and Okinawan culture it is common to expand and exaggerate the qualities of those who were reknowned or notorious after their passing; a reader must look for more plausible explanations for the amazing almost superhuman feats of past masters. A particular case would be a story about an okinawan master who supposedly was able to literally scalp(cut or tear off skin and hair from the head) an attacker by kicking. Other than the result of the kick, the actua kick is not described so there is no clue as to what kind of kick it might have been. How this could possibly be done is difficult to imagine but my guess is that it may have involved some type of footwear or a foot weapon attached to the foot. Does anyone else have any idea how to realistically explain this kick or any other ledgendary technique mentioned in a story about a master in the past?

I still have my hand pads that I made many years ago. They are filled with pea-sized ball bearings and wrapped in denim canvas. In my yard I have a post makiwara, which is basically just a post stuck into the ground and stabilized with rocks and plank sections. The top end is sawn along the length in three cuts, then wrapped with strong natural fiber rope for all the striking surface.

There are many stories and accounts of karateka who can punch or kick much harder than what a person of their size could be expected to be capable of doing. What is the process that allows a small person to strike with such power? Training and applying proper body mechanics is certainly the key, but what are the limitations? For example, how hard can a man weighing 150lbs/70kg for 5ft7 or 1meter68cm become able to hit? My sensei strikes like a freight train but is shorter than that, Bruce Lee also could hit quite hard for his size. How does it work? The theories are somewhat familiar but understanding it and actually beginning to apply it still escapes me.

It is unfair to for one man to deny another his right to earn a living or even profit from providing knowledge or skills that are deemed valuable. The idea that a martial arts teacher should not seek payment or even profit is based in fiction or a distorted false sense of humility. A brief review of recorded accounts of martial arts history proves that some kind of payment was expected. The martial arts masters of the past were far from being wandering beggars teaching for nothing. Even centuries ago in China, Okinawa and Japan martial arts masters were paid in some form to teach. Some of them whose names are still remembered today earned quite a confortable living.

Perhaps the best definition depends on whom is concerned. Judging by the very discussion going on this forum, there really is no clear-cut definition. There may actually be several different types of what could be called Mcdojo. The only element common to all mcdojo seems to be summed up in two words: deception and exploitation.

That's really too bad, I wonder why they thought changing it. If I am not mistaken, many of the videos on their website can be found on YouTube. Nearly all the masters featured on that site are deceased or not longer teaching because of their advanced age.

Nowadays it is much more common to buy training equipment rather than building it. Almost any kind of equipment can be found available in sporting goods or martial arts supplies stores as well as online retailers. Sometimes there is some piece of equipment or training tool that is unavailable anywhere. In such a case the only solution is to get creative. Designing and building equipment can be an interesting project. Have you ever built something to use in your training? What is your inspiration for making it?

How old was he when he started BJJ? I wonder what else he has studied and ranked in besides his original system (tang soo do?)