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John Johnston Is Awarded His 7th Dan
Published on 2012-11-22 08:32:15
John Johnston is awarded his 7th Dan Shotokan Karate by Geoff Thompson and Dev Barrett at Dev Barrett's Dojo in Coventry which is the hometown and birthplace of these 3 great men. Continue reading →
Martial Arts: A Mental Rehearsal For Success
Published on 2012-11-07 08:13:38
Many martial arts exercises are not directly practical from a real life self protection perspective. However, they can be very good tools for preparing your mindset (what NLP calls Mental Rehearsal). Continue reading →
Karate For “Perfection Of Character”: Truth Or Just Part Of The “Marketing”? – A Historical Perspective
Published on 2012-10-27 16:46:59
“The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of character of its participants”. This is a famous quote by Gichin Funakoshi. But did he mean it, or was he just saying what he knew the Japanese wanted to hear? Was it real, or was it just part of the "marketing" of Karate? Continue reading →
Conflict De-escalation: The Broken Record
Published on 2012-10-05 16:17:05
A simple but effective technique for taking control of a situation and de-escalating verbal agression before it degenerates into a physical conflict. Continue reading →
Kata Bunkai for Shorin Ryu Pinan Shodan (Heian Nidan)
Published on 2012-10-02 16:07:59
There is much study these days into the practical applications of kata bunkai (forms/patterns). Often it helps to look at older versions of your own style to see how they did things to help you work out whats been changed and why? Continue reading →
Martial Arts Training With Joint Injuries (Part 3)
Published on 2012-09-14 14:45:19
Final part in a series of posts looking at coping with martial arts training when you suffer joint pain. Continue reading →
Review Of Kevin O’Hagan’s Anatomy Of A Street Assault Seminar
Published on 2012-09-04 17:28:06
This is not just a list of topics covered on the seminar, it covers some of the very valuable lessons learnt. Continue reading →
Martial Arts Training With Joint Injuries (Part 2)
Published on 2012-08-29 12:11:04
Continuing on from (and inter-related to) the advice given in Part 1, this post looks at joint alignment in the stances to reduce pressure on the knees/ankles so as not to further aggrevate joint injuries in martial arts training. Continue reading →
Martial Arts Training With Joint Injuries (Part 1)
Published on 2012-08-19 12:25:00
Having suffered with joint injuries myself, especially to the knee, I know how frustrating it can be and the limiting impact it can have on your training. I have found some very minor adjustments in training which have helped me … Continue reading →
Martial Arts Advertising: Advertising with AIDA by Graham Butcher
Published on 2012-08-11 13:23:22
Promoting your martial arts club with AIDA Continue reading →
Applied Taekwondo With Russ Martin (Applicable To Karateka Too)
Published on 2012-08-04 09:16:06
Applied Taekwondo by Russ Martin 5th Dan. Practical applications to basic movements and patterns (In Japanese: kata bunkai). Continue reading →
Adaptive Karate Blog: With John & Elaine Johnston
Published on 2012-07-31 16:45:08
John and Elaine Johnston have started up their own blog which will be well worth checking out. Sensei John Johnston is a 6th Dan Shotokan Karate and the people who he has trained with reads like a “who’s who” of … Continue reading →
The Five Steps of Selling – by Graham Butcher
Published on 2012-07-21 08:52:05
Most martial artists do not like to consider themselves as "salesmen". But any interaction with a potential student is a form of sales process. In this post, Graham Butcher explains how to be more successful at converting a potential student into an actual student. Continue reading →
Womens Self Defence Blogging Carnival
Published on 2012-07-14 05:18:01
This is a blogging carnival where several expert martial art bloggers have come together to pool information on the subject of Women's Self Defense. Continue reading →
Womens Self Defense: Why It’s Different For Women
Published on 2012-07-13 18:34:37
What is uniquely different about womens self defense compared to other self defense scenarios and how to handle it! Continue reading →
Interview With John Kelly 4th Dan Shotokan Karate
Published on 2012-07-11 16:51:54
In 1997 John Kelly nearly lost his life in a serious car accident. Yet he has bounced back to become a 4th Dan, run his own association and even does door work. Read this insightful interview with a truly inspirational Karateka. Continue reading →
Kata Bunkai: Counter Arm Locking And Flow Drill
Published on 2012-06-30 10:14:57
Counting/escaping from an arm bar using movements from the Heian/Pinan katas. Continue reading →
Blogging Carnival: Womens Self Defence
Published on 2012-06-26 14:33:07
Anticipating How Your Opponent Will Attack!
Published on 2012-06-11 16:23:52
How do you anticipate HOW an opponent will attack? Should you even try to as it could lead you into more trouble if you get it wrong? Continue reading →
Target Hardening Against A Street Predator
Published on 2012-06-07 18:02:36
Human street predators have a lot in common with animal predators in the jungle. Understanding this psychology actually gives a simple method for reducing the chances of being selected for attack. Continue reading →
Launch Of The World Combat Association
Published on 2012-06-03 10:11:22
After the outstanding success of the British Combat Association over almost 20 years to bring practical and realistic martial arts to the UK, the WORLD COMBAT ASSOCIATION is now being lauched to give the same support and recognition to pragmatic martial artists all over the world. Continue reading →
Blogging Carnival: Womens Self Defence
Published on 2012-05-23 17:58:11
Following on from the success of Colin Wee's Anti Bulling Blogging Carnival, we are following up with another Blogging Carnival, which I'll be hosting. This time the subject is Women's Self Defence. Please support us. Follow the link to find out more. If you are a martial arts blogger, this will be a good way to raise your profile, get some linkbacks and more trafic. Continue reading →
Traditional Shotokan Karate Association: Annual Residential Course 2012
Published on 2012-05-23 17:35:56
The Traditional Shotokan Karate Association held its annual Residential Course recently. There was a lot of emphasis on practical applied Shotokan Karate and bunkai, this course is well worth looking out for in the future. Find out more about this years course. Continue reading →
Kata And Its Bunkai Is Like A Sword
Published on 2012-05-16 12:49:57
A useful analogy of kata performed purely for technical excellence and actually being able to apply the kata bunkai. Continue reading →
Adaptive Karate Bunkai With Sensei John Johnston 6th Dan
Published on 2012-05-16 08:36:11
Sensei John Johnston has his own unique and practical take on Shotokan Karate kata bunkai. Here are a couple videos showing him teaching and demonstrating. Continue reading →
Advanced Karate Bunkai Course (Open To All Styles)
Published on 2012-05-06 08:35:37
Course for all interested martial artists to learn street smart applications to karate Continue reading →
New Martial Arts Blog: PhaseShifting
Published on 2012-04-25 14:31:32
New blog for martial artists who are into reality based self protection and practical martial arts. Continue reading →
Diaphragmic Breathing In Martial Arts
Published on 2012-04-22 16:13:41
Diaphragmatic breathing is used in karate, kung fu, tai chi, taekwondo and other traditional martial arts. However, many martial artists do not completely realise the full extent of its importance. Find out how it actually helps us on a number of different levels. Continue reading →
My Own Karate Classes in Midsomer Norton
Published on 2012-04-17 17:47:21
As many regulars will know by now, I’m starting my own Karate classes in Midsomer Norton on 3rd May. This will primarily be for beginners, though more experienced martial artists are also very welcome. I will be teaching traditional Shotokan … Continue reading →
Joong Do Kwan Anti-Bullying Blogging Carnival
Published on 2012-04-14 14:02:19
Check out all the posts for the Joong Do Kwan Anti-Bullying Blogging Carnival Continue reading →
Engage Your Opponents Brain To Increase Their Vulnerability
Published on 2012-04-04 16:05:31
As you get psyched up, higher brain functions close down and you rely more on the lower, more primitive part of the brain to prepare you for combat. If you can induce an aggressors higher brain functions to kick back in you can interfere with their mental preparation for a fight! Continue reading →
Congratulations To Paul Mitchell On Attaining His 5th Dan
Published on 2012-03-29 17:25:13
Paul Mitchell is awarded his 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate by Pete Manning, Chief Instructor of the Traditional Shotokan Karate Association. Continue reading →
Do Our Training Methods Damage Our Bodies? (Part 2)
Published on 2012-03-27 17:30:51
This post follows on from an earlier popular post, looking it whether martial arts training or good for us, or does it damage our body. Continue reading →
Are Traditional Martial Arts Help Any Use To Somebody Who Is Being Bullied?
Published on 2012-03-25 17:15:19
Martial arts can obviously be used to defend yourself against a bully, but there are some limitation which need to be taken into account. Continue reading →
Interview With International Stav Instructor & Author; Graham Butcher
Published on 2012-03-23 17:30:44
Interview with one of the World's leading authority's on the rare and ancient martial art of Stav; international Stav instructor and author, Graham Butcher Continue reading →
In Defence Of Basic Karate/Taekwondo “Blocks”
Published on 2012-03-18 18:33:06
When many Karate and Taekwondo practitioners accept that our basic blocks do not really work as "blocks", why do we continue to train and grade with these blocking drills? Continue reading →
Martial Arts Marketing – Making More of Your Club Website By Graham Butcher
Published on 2012-03-11 11:19:19
Make more of your martial arts club website to promote your club, by Graham Butcher. Continue reading →
Shotokan Karate Magazine: My Article & Letter From Reader
Published on 2012-02-29 14:57:02
After my recent article was published in Shotokan Karate Magazine, I have been forwarded a letter from a reader which raised some interesting points. I have of course replied. Both the letter and my response are reproduced here for your interest. Continue reading →
“Sinking” In Your Stance At The End Of A Technique
Published on 2012-02-22 15:27:08
In many traditional martial arts we are taught to "sink" into our stance. But why do we do it? Why do so many people struggle with it? And how can we make it easier for ourselves? Continue reading →
Martial Arts Marketing: How to grow your business By Graham Butcher
Published on 2012-02-19 16:18:59
Advice on how to grow a martial arts business, by Graham Butcher Continue reading →
Sensei Paul Mitchell’s Karate Kata Bunkai
Published on 2012-02-13 07:10:35
Some highlights from Sensei Paul Mitchell's recent Karate Kata Bunkai course. Continue reading →
A Private Class With John Johnston, 6th Dan
Published on 2012-02-10 16:17:56
Report on Sensie John Johnston 6th Dan, private lesson . Having discussed his approach to realistic Karate and kata bunkau for self defence and the Adaptive Karate that he teaches in his seminars, Sensei Johnston was keen to show me in more detail and I was very keen to learn from him. Continue reading →
Mind Like The Moon & Mind Like Water
Published on 2012-02-06 09:52:49
Mind like the moon and mind like water are phrases that you come across from time to time in martial arts and although the meaning is often described, it is seldom explained how to achieve achieve these states. Continue reading →
Practical Shotokan Course: Karate Kata Bunkai
Published on 2012-01-29 17:38:19
Simple and effective Karate kata bunkai. When facing multiple opponents you need something which will finish opponents quickly, efficiently and without draining a lot of your own energy. Find out more from Sensei Paul Mitchell. Continue reading →
Practical Shotokan – Beginner to Black Belt – Sunday 29th Jan 2012
Published on 2012-01-27 17:20:23
Practical Shotokan - Beginner to Black Belt. Course includes practical locks, takedowns and throws as well as the more obvious strikes and kicks Continue reading →
Women’s Self Protection & Raw Power
Published on 2012-01-14 15:35:19
Dr Ruthless teaches women's self defence against street preditors. This short video with description shows how surprisingly powerfull women can really be. Continue reading →
Interview With International Instructor, John Johnston, 6th Dan Shotokan Karate
Published on 2012-01-08 17:25:45
John Johnston came through the early days of Shotokan Karate in the UK, when you had to be tough to make it through. He has over 40 years of martial arts experience, doorman experience and personal protection of high profile businessmen and celebs. He was a pioneer of reality based training before the term became popular. Continue reading →
New Year Message From Sensei Paul Mitchell
Published on 2012-01-01 15:44:27
Although this message was originally intended by Sensei Paul Mitchell for just his own club, I think his words are worth sharing wider afield. Continue reading →