In martial arts, achieving a Black Belt is often seen as the pinnacle of one’s journey. However, many students are frustrated by the long periods […]
How Phases Work
Teaching a room full of students at different skill levels has vexed instructors for years. What is the best way to keep everyone progressing towards […]
The History of Karate and Martial Arts in Hawai‘i: A Cultural Crossroads of Combat Arts
Hawai‘i holds a unique place in the history of martial arts, acting as a vibrant crossroads where Eastern traditions met Western ideas, and new systems […]
Loyalty and Lineage
I become increasingly frustrated with the state of affairs in the Kempo community, in the world of karate, for that matter. Almost weekly, I learn […]
Lights, Camera, Kata! Performing Like a Champion in Competition
My first kata competition was a whirlwind of nervous energy, confusion, and noise. I wasn’t prepared for the cacophony of sounds and activity surrounding a […]
Musical Kata: The Dance Within the Fight
I was attending a multicultural event featuring Filipino folk dancers when something unexpected caught my eye. One particular dance involved performers holding sticks, swaying from […]
Shaken, Not Stirred
Picture the scene—a grand European casino filled with well-dressed patrons. A strikingly handsome spy stands at the craps table. He replies to the waitress asking […]
Like the Matador: Get Off The Line Of Attack
This gruesome story illustrates a valuable fact of combat – defensive use of the line of attack. The angry bull charges the lone matador, yet […]
Out with the Old, In with the New
There’s a story about a family cooking a dinner ham. The daughter asks the mother, “Why do you cut the two ends off the ham?” […]
Distance Training
Over the years, I saw lots of students leave the school. Many of these long-time students were also family members. Most of them still wish […]