The passing down of mistakes and bad practice is what destroys martial arts. When asked why something is taught, to answer “because that’s how I was taught” is lazy and a cop out.

I ask my students to not believe a word I say, but to pay attention to what I teach, then practice it enough and challenge it to see if it works. If they can’t make it work to come back and discuss and experiment with it here. It’s the only way they can fully understand what I’m teaching and it’s how we all evolve how to learn and teach.

Being given a reason as to why we do something is also not enough. It has to be the most effective way, because a lot of explanation in the martial arts is sub standard and highly suspect.

Take responsibility for your own development. Don’t take anything at face value, if it’s from good lineage pay attention, practice it for long enough to be able to test and challenge it but if you’re going to practice it every day for the rest of your life – make sure it works!