Articles: Karate

About Junbi Undo—Part 2

Michael Clarke, August 23, 2010

"Lift things properly, hit things with care", this maxim should be at the forefront of your mind when embarking upon the study of traditional Okinawan hojo undo. Find your limit with each tool and exercise, and then carefully and methodically push that limit further and further. In doing so you will learn much about yourself and who you really are. More >>

About Junbi Undo—Part 1

Michael Clarke, August 16, 2010

In an Okinawan karate dojo, warming-up exercises are known as junbi undo, preparation exercises. Within many Western schools of karate today, the warm-up exercises often have little in common with the mental activity that follows, neither do they always relate particularly well to the physical demands placed upon the specific muscle. More >>

Sanchin Kata - Ancient Wisdom

Kris Wilder, March 8, 2010

The true history of sanchin kata is lost to time. Many will claim they know the true and correct history of sanchin kata, but factors such as where one chooses to begin and end can create one of many versions of the same history. The goal is to achieve a better understanding of sanchin kata through the mechanics, history, and applications of the kata. More >>

Sanchin Kata, the Three Battles Sequence

Kris Wilder, February 15, 2010

The basic kata sanchin has existed a long time, and has developed into variations called saifa, seiyunchin, shisochin, sanseiryu, seipai, kururunfa, and suparunpen, which are still practiced. More >>

¿Golpeas al objetivo?

Michael Clarke, December 14, 2009

Nunca dudé, al ponerme frente a Kanazawa sensei, que iba a "enchufarme". Pero tenía la absoluta certeza de que no iba a hacerme daño. More >>

Are you hitting the target in Karate?

Michael Clarke, November 30, 2009

There was never a doubt in my head when I lined up to face Kanazawa sensei, I knew he was going to 'plug' me. More >>

Chojun Miyagi, sensei (April 1888-October 1953)

Remembering Chojun Miyagi

Michael Clarke, November 11, 2009

Among the huge number of so-called karate styles in the world these days, all can be traced back to the island of Okinawa, the largest island in the Ryukyu archipelago that stretches from the southern coast of Japan to the northern tip of Taiwan. More >>

Chojun Miyagi and students, Okinawa, 1942

Hojo Undo: Traditional Karate’s Forgotten Training Methods

Michael Clarke, September 9, 2009

In an age where karate training is often viewed as a family pastime for some or a career path for others, many of the older and more traditional forms of training have slipped from use, replaced in many cases by a quest for physical entertainment More >>

Entrance to the author's Shinseidokan dojo

Big Rocks: The Hidden Values of Traditional Karate

Michael Clarke, August 13, 2009

A philosopher and teacher of the ‘Way’ began addressing his students. He produced, from behind a screen, a large glass container and a box of fist-sized rocks. After a few moments of carefully placing the rocks into the glass container, he came to a point where no more would fit. He then turned to his students and asked: “Is it full?” More >>

Videos and Podcasts...


Episode 1

Episode 1.
Chinese Martial Arts Definitions

Episode 2

Episode 2.
Retreat Center Interview PART 1

Episode 3

Episode 3.
Retreat Center Interview PART 2

Episode 4

Episode 4.
Northern and Southern Chinese Styles


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