Ignorance Of Youth

Ignorance Of Youth Youth………  the comedian Dave Allen says that it is a time when young men’s brains turn to haemorrhoids……..  The sudden rush of hormones deepens their voices and deadens their brain.  The happy, smiling children that love their Karate and train with so much enthusiasm suddenly become obstreperous and truculent spotty youths with longer bones and haircuts that look like their dad used a pair of nail scissors and a pound of gel……… Two years ago he had uprooted and gone. He had trained with Sensei since he was 5 years old, at eighteen he thought that Karatedo … Continue reading Ignorance Of Youth

Icebergs Instead Of Mountains

Icebergs Instead Of Mountains We call them the ‘pontificators’, they have a view on everything, usually borne out of ignorance and just have to let everyone know. They are the proverbial ‘pain in the ass’ in any club.  There is an old saying that “if you ever look down on someone – it should be to give them a helping hand up” but the ‘pontificators’ do the opposite. They are unable to elevate themselves, so they beaver away trying to make others feel smaller and undermine their confidence. “You shouldn’t have passed your dan grading… you really weren’t good enough,  … Continue reading Icebergs Instead Of Mountains

How To Avoid Being Clumsy

How To Avoid Being Clumsy It was one of those nights that you could feel the testosterone in the air… We had started by hitting pads, with the pad holder using front punch, cross punch, hook punch, front kick and round kick angles at random.  We then changed distance and angle so that the hitter had to move, gauging distance and angle to get the best hit.  Then the pad holder started ‘paying’ the hitter when he couldn’t get back to a guard position in time by tapping him on the head with the pad. Then it went ‘freestyle’ and … Continue reading How To Avoid Being Clumsy

It’s Not What You Do

It’s Not What You Do What’s the best fighting style? What’s the best art for self defence? That art is not effective! Why waste your time with those techniques? We all like to judge, And looking at those judging, My first thought is, People in glass houses…. My second thought is, You’re looking at it the wrong way round, It’s not what you do, It’s how you do it that counts. It’s not the art, It’s not the style, It’s the person training, That makes the difference. I know great fighters, That have never done martial arts, They have a … Continue reading It’s Not What You Do

Taking Or Giving?

Taking Or Giving? Not being a liability on others, Means you always pay your bills, Living within your means, And not spending like a fool. Modern society tries to make you a slave, The media want you to spend, To buy things you don’t need, And to owe your life to them. You have things that work and serviceable, Yet you always want more or new, Because you are hypnotised by others, Who want to own your soul. Taking responsibility for your purse, Is a part of taking responsibility for your self, Taking possession of your time, And preventing your … Continue reading Taking Or Giving?

The Meaning Of Life

“So…. what’s the meaning of life Sensei?”  We had all just sat down for a short break in between classes. “What do you think it is?”  The question had really been rhetorical and the questioner hadn’t really expected an answer – or the question to be answered with a question. “He’d be happy with a nymphomaniac that owned a pub!”  chimed in a helpful friend and fellow student…. “With a friend!”  helped another…. “So you think happiness is the meaning of life?” “Yeah!” they all chorused…  “As long as you’re happy, that’s the main thing…” “But surely, the nature of … Continue reading The Meaning Of Life

It’s Not What You Do

It’s Not What You Do Oh no!  Sensei was singing…. He’s good at Martial Arts, but singing….  Forget it!  Why do people always want to do what they’re no good at?  The students were wincing as he sang outrageously out of tune… “It’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it, it’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it….  It’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it…. And that’s how you get things done….. You can try hard… don’t mean a thing…. Take it easy… then your chimes will … Continue reading It’s Not What You Do

Positive Visualisation In Kata

Positive Visualisation In Kata “Sit down.” We all sat down against the wall and looked expectantly at Sensei. Frank…”  Frank leapt to his feet and stood in the centre of the hall facing the students in a ready stance. “Kushanku.” Frank moved to attention stance, bowed to a 45 degree angle moved his feet apart and placed his left hand over his right, ring finger to ring finger before making a circle with his arms in front of him.  He then proceeded to move through the Kata making each movement as powerful as possible breathing out heavily with the application … Continue reading Positive Visualisation In Kata

Responsibility Of An Instructor

Responsibility Of An Instructor When you’ve been in this game a few years and you’ve seen a few thousand people come and go you tend to be able to categorise people and their actions.  Having said that, after 40 years I am still surprised by people that the Martial Arts “alchemy” has worked with – those that suddenly “awake” and turn from being a waste of Dojo space into spirited, courteous and conscientious Martial Artists. As a Coach we have to lay challenges out for the student in a trail of bite size chunks and see whether they are prepared … Continue reading Responsibility Of An Instructor

I Don’t Do Nice

I Don’t Do Nice “Cover up guys and sit down….” Despite the efficient warm down, everyone ‘squelched’ as they sat. When you’ve had a really hard work out and everyone is drenched in sweat, every bit of clothing, underwear and skin is soaked.  Even using covering track gear and towels, you can see the steam rising from everyone’s head and shoulders. When they get up, they leave wet bum prints – almost like ‘rear end personal fingerprints’ on the floor. We’d had a ‘classic’ session, starting with standing basics, working on the skills of making a proper fist, use of … Continue reading I Don’t Do Nice