Traditional Martial Arts vs. Sport Karate
Originally, and I mean way back, traditional martial arts took their place as the only fighting art. Their usefulness had to do with protecting one’s self, family and community. The martial arts evolved into art forms for people to learn a tradition of life protection while improving their lives. More recently, some martial arts branched…
Read MoreThe Okinawan Sweet Potato
The Okinawan sweet potato was one of the few things that I missed out on when we visited Okinawa. There, purple sweet potatoes are a part of the culture in the cooler months of autumn and winter. Small trucks with ovens on the back go around selling fresh roasted sweet potatoes. I hear they are…
Read MoreKung Fu Panda Messages
Kung Fu Panda came out ten years ago. This well-made movie has artistic animation, and whimsical lines and action. It has wise messages that still ring true in karate. KUNG FU PANDA SECRET INGREDIENT Toward the end of the movie a great fight scene takes place. Kung Fu Panda fights the bad guy, Tai Lung,…
Read MoreKids’ Karate Builds Physical Skills Part 2
Welcome to Part 2, my second blog about how kids’ karate builds physical skills. You can read Part 1 here. Karate kids learn and apply practical physical abilities. Children who don’t take martial arts will be hard-pressed to learn the karate-specific benefits like those gained in our kids’ karate programs. These skills help them in…
Read MoreKids’ Karate Builds Physical Skills Part 1
Welcome to Part 1 of my pair of short blogs about the physical skills learned in karate. We will specifically focus on those skills as they affect children. Martial arts training is a fun way for kids to successfully practice and develop physical skills. In addition to the regular developmentally appropriate skills that children learn,…
Read MoreGreat Dojo Mystery Musings
In my nearly 20 years of dojo involvement, I have seen some strange things. The ones that have continued, been reinforced or grown over the years are each a dojo mystery. They are just strange little things that make me wonder. THE SPARRING GLOVE MYSTERY Why do we have seven extra right hand sparring gloves…
Read MoreSelf-Discipline through Traditional Karate
Traditional Karate builds self-discipline in many ways. Parents appreciate the discipline in kids karate. Over time, that leads to self-discipline. But I started training as an adult and my self-discipline skills are from martial arts. It could be because I was a young adult and my brain had not quite finished developing. But I believe that with…
Read MoreTraditional Karate builds Fitness
One benefit of all martial arts is that training in them improves fitness. No matter your style, you will gain physical fitness when you train. There are some additional physical benefits from the specific style of traditional Okinawan karate. That’s what we practice at our dojo. Here are the top five ways that traditional karate…
Read MorePositive Attitude through Karate: 5 Ways
Recently, we have been looking at some of the unwritten dojo rules at East Valley Martial Arts. One of these expectations is having a good attitude. We explain to our kids that a positive attitude means that even if you have a bad day, you do your best to put a smile on your face…
Read MoreKarate Builds Character: 5 Ways
Kids have their own reasons for liking karate. This neat 50-second video gives several. One thing parents like is that karate builds character. I started as an adult and I have seen my own character strengthen through martial arts. Merriam-Webster defines character as “moral excellence and firmness.” Larry Roach says, “Our character is who we really are, even when…
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