Martial arts practitioners, and dojos and clubs, range from the intimidating or scary to the welcoming and friendly—and everything in between. As a woman in this male-dominated world, you might imagine I’d be drawn to the less intimidating end of … Continued
There’s nothing like martial arts training to show you your garbage. Even in a dojo that cultivates respect and camaraderie, jealousy and pettiness can creep in.
Sometimes the reason is clear. Perhaps a new beginner is learning faster than you ever did. Perhaps you’re the sensei, but one of your senior students is better at engaging with the teenagers. Perhaps you envy the student who has been blessed with a stronger and more flexible body than you.
But sometimes, there is no reason – or at least not one that makes any logical sense […]
Produced as material for Black Belt WIki – A martial arts wiki focused on free kata & instruction The Aikido 13 Jo Kata – Brief instructions for those just needing a quick refresh. More detailed instructions are also available here … Continued
These detailed instructions are based on the classic video demonstration by Saito Sensei. However, please note that Saito Sensei himself did sometimes slightly change some of the movements at different times. Please check with your sensei for any variations that may … Continued
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle uses scientific research to explain how ability is created and nurtured, across a range of fields.
This post draws out some key themes from the book which are applicable to martial arts teaching and training – and suggests some practical ways to apply them.
The Zen Way to the Martial Arts – A Japanese Master Reveals the Secrets of the Samurai by Taisen Deshimaru aims to “provide practical wisdom for all students of the martial arts – kendo, aikido, iaido, judo or archery”. It’s a fairly short book (120 pages), but very rich in ideas, metaphors and stories. Here are a few of the most interesting themes . . .
This is one of a series of posts, where I analyse the kanji for key concepts in the Japanese martial arts, to see what interesting meanings can be found there. Today’s example is 礼 Rei.