Posts

Do not forget that karate-do begins and ends with rei
What is “rei”, why is it important, and does it really only exist at the beginning and end of karate-do?
Sep 25, 2024 4 min read
Do not forget that karate-do begins and ends with rei
Kata and the Alphabet
What if the ‘bad guy’ doesn’t do what the kata says he’s gonna do?
May 6, 2024 2 min read
Kata and the Alphabet
Control: Distance vs. Speed
Is ‘control’ a function of distance, speed, or both? Should it be?
Mar 3, 2024 6 min read
Control: Distance vs. Speed
Karate is like gambling
It won’t make you invincible, but it helps even the odds, and knowing the rules never hurts.
Feb 17, 2024 3 min read
Karate is like gambling
Can I keep my belt?
When students with ’experience’ join from other schools, you’ll often get this question. Here’s what I think.
Jan 5, 2024 5 min read
Can I keep my belt?
Kata as 'or' not 'and'
Kata is sometimes seen as a series of events (this happens and then that happens), but I prefer to think of it as a series of possibilities (this happens, or maybe that happens).
Nov 10, 2023 4 min read
Kata as 'or' not 'and'
Kata and the Ship of Theseus
A discussion of incremental change and the identity of kata over time. When is change “enough” for a new kata to be born?
Sep 14, 2021 7 min read
Kata and the Ship of Theseus
Karate is More Like Math Than History
Karate training builds on itself, closer to the way Calculus builds on Algebra than the way American History builds on British History.
Aug 30, 2021 3 min read
Karate is More Like Math Than History
Karate is Safe
Karate is safe compared to many other activities, even in the face of COVID. Karate’s supposed “dangers” stem from misunderstanding what karate really is
Jun 9, 2021 6 min read
Karate is Safe