Karate Communication

We as humans have perhaps the most diverse range of methods to communicate compared to any other animal species on earth. We can use physical gestures, sounds, facial expressions, bodily reactions and even smells!! (Queue fart jokes...)

It is only natural that we would utilise some of these methods to transmit knowledge in Karate.

First, we introduce the technique - auditory, then we show the technique - visual, then we correct the technique – kinesthetic.

Simple, right! Then why do we not see everyone doing techniques exactly the same?

KarateBenjamin Eayrs12 April 2018Communication, Karate, Teaching, LearningComment

The Ugly side of Beauty

In many aspects of life there exists that which is pleasing to the eye, and that which is not.

Often that which is deemed the most "beautiful" is held to a higher regard than that which is considered "ugly".

Beauty is of course something which is dictated by the society in which we live in and no culture can claim to have more beauty than any other.

Now, I want to turn my attention to the dangers of practicing Karate only for pure aesthetics.

KarateBenjamin Eayrs5 April 2018karate, ugly, beautiful, aesthetics Comments

You Must Balance the Yin and the Yang

If, like me, you practice Karate you will have at many points in your training heard the term to “relax”. Sometimes unresponsively so, sometimes frustratingly reminded.

I was to only fully realise this whilst in Okinawa that being as relaxed as possible was critical to maximising your power in your technique.

Physical softness and flexibility with inner strength is the key.

Yoga, however, is the opposite of this - here me out.

KarateBenjamin Eayrs5 March 2018Yoga, Karate, Strong, Hard, Soft, Kano, Oyama, FunakoshiComment

What style of Karate do you prefer?

Now when I talk about style I don't mean which system; Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Wado-Ryu... hey, why is there no 'Ryu' after Shotokan?

Nevermind.

I am asking how you train that system, and more pertinently, what your Kata looks like.

KarateBenjamin Eayrs28 February 2018Kata, Karate, Style, FunctionComment

Who put the 'Bu' in Karate-Dō? Part 2 of 2

In last week’s article I explored some of the history of the development of Karate and of Budo culture in Japan.

In part 2 I hope to get to the point in why I began writing such a body of text by exploring the matter of what we understand as "traditional" karate practice, where it fits into the changes made in Okinawa, and what we perceive as being Japanese.

But firstly, a little clearing up to do.

Karate, HistoryBenjamin Eayrs6 February 2018Budo, Karate, Karatedo, Okinawa, history, traditional, japan, japanese Comment

Who put the 'Bu' in Karate-Dō? Part 1 of 2

The Bu in question is the term for Warrior, as in Budō - Way of the Warrior. If you have trained in a Japanese style of Karate, even some Okinawan styles you will have heard this term at some point.

It is often associated with a sense of learning “traditional” Karate. I use these quotation marks for reasons that I will go into.

But first, let us take a step back in time….

Karate, HistoryBenjamin Eayrs30 January 2018Budo, Karate, Karatedo, Okinawa, history, traditional, japan, japaneseComment

A Very Okinawan Dojo Experience

I spent over 20 years practicing Shotokan at various Dojo across the UK and Australia, and many were similar in their breakdown of practice. Line-up, bow, warm-up, Kihon, Kumite, Kata, warm-down/stretching or simply sit, meditate and bow to finish.

Having experienced a few different Dojos I'd like to give you my experience of practice in an Okinawan Dojo.

Karate, Fitness, Diet & NutritionBenjamin Eayrs5 December 2017Okinawa, karate, Karatedo, training, dojo, sensei Comment