At least this is a quick way to find out if they will even be decent students: if they cannot exercise basic courtesy on whatsapp, then they absolutely won’t do it in the dojo. I have a message that automatically pops up saying something along the lines of “I am enjoying family time, I will get back to you during business hours” and yet there is the audacity again to send me voice note after voice note, or worse, the passive-aggressive “???”when I don’t answer.
So what makes a good black belt? Talent? Time? Effort? The ability to fight off multiple attackers while wearing sunglasses? There should absolutely be a level of technical ability, and especially maturity. The black belt is cheapened when it is given to seven year olds in American dojos.
1 move, 8 applications – arm bar, scarf choke, strikes, blocks: all of these moves are hidden in a simple… Read more Video: Shuhari in Goju Ryu Karate
Sanchin kata is famous for the demands it makes on the body, as well as its ability to help karate… Read more Video: Sanchin Kata Sequence, Detail and Breathing
Some tips and finer detail to follow on from the previous two videos, with some help from a particular South… Read more Video: Seiyunchin Part 3
Warm ups, or jumbi undo, are an essential part of karate. Proper warm ups improve our flexibility, strength and agility,… Read more Video: Warm ups and Exercises for Goju Ryu
Test your kata, work on your kicks, stretch and strengthen your legs AND improve your kumite, all in a corridor in your home or apartment.
Filmed during lockdown on FB Live, this is an introduction to the more severe bunkai hidden within Saifa, and recommended for more senior practitioners.
Take-downs, chokes and grabs – all hidden (in plain sight!) in Geki Sai Dai Ni.
This kata is often overlooked due to its status as a beginner kata, but for the curious practitioner, Geki Sai Dai Ni holds many fascinating bunkai.
Until you can open again, here are some ideas on how to make Zoom classes better, and to maintain that vital connection between you and your students.
Zojo Dojo 