Perspectives On Shotokan Karate

YouTube is a great teaching and learning tool I wish I had when I first started my karate training.  That being said, there is a lot of information out there, some good, some not so much.

Here is a unique video I saw from Sensei Gary Swain from the ISKF. What I like about this video is that he clearly articulates and summarizes the real meaning behind shotokan karate and martial arts training in general in my opinion.  I found this video to be parallel to my personal sentiments and philosophies behind why I teach and train- and how we teach and train at our dojo.

Whether you agree with his perspectives and opinions in the video, it is a good example of some of the content that is available to shotokan karate practioners outside of the plethora of techniques, tournaments and sparring videos that are on YouTube or Vimeo.  

We are not affiliated with Sensei Swain or the ISKF but that is one of the things that makes shotokan karate great.  We are all part of a brotherhood and sisterhood that is much bigger than association affiliations.  We are part of a tradition that has been passed down for hundreds of years no matter where you train or who you train with. 

Enjoy and I hope this is thought provoking for you in terms of your personal reasons for training and your philosophies about shotokan karate in general.

2013 Happy New Year- Why Not To Make New Year's Resolutions

On behalf of Sensei Norman Smith and myself at Way of Life Shotokan Karate-Do, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a healthy, prosperous and fulfilling new year.

Now that 2013 is upon us, I thought it would be good to review some of the articles I wrote in 2012.  The banner at the top of our site highlights the most popular articles of all time, and the trending posts widget at the bottom of our site highlights the most popular articles in the past 30 days.   There are other articles I have written that are archived on our site that I would like to highlight as well.  Here are 3 articles worth digging up from our archives that apply to New Year's Resolutions:

1. Why Not To Make a New Year's Resolution (still appropriate for 2013)
2. Practice Does Not Make Perfect
3. No Excuses-No Limits

Sometimes what is old is new again. To our readers around the world- we hope you continue to visit our website in 2013 for more new in-depth articles and opinions.  For our local NYC area readers, we hope you come in an visit us this month and start your new year with shotokan karate as a "way of life".

Balancing Fun and Discipline

At Way of Life Shotokan Karate-Do we are proud to have our instructors and students write articles for our blog.  The second installment is from Senpai Miguel Novoa and we thank him for his submission "Balancing Fun & Discipline In Kids Karate Classes"- By Senpai Miguel Novoa

Ever since I got my shodan (black belt) at Way of Life Shotokan Karate over 15 years ago, I dedicated the rest of my training to learning how to pass on the Way of Life tradition as it was introduced to me when I was a kid.  As my instructor began to open the dojo floor to me so that I may take that step in becoming an instructor in the kids classes I realized something, kids all require different ways of teaching.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

" Practice Does Not Make Perfect, Perfect Practice Makes Perfect" 

Vince Lombardi

Being the avid football fan I am of the hometown Superbowl Champion New York Football Giants (has a nice ring to it), I like to watch any and all things football- regular season or off-season. You don't need to be a football fan to know who Vince Lombardi is, the impact he had on football and the impact he still has on popular culture today.  Vince was know for being a perfectionist and demanded excellence from his players at all times- on the practice field as well as on game day.  I heard this quote recently while watching a Vince Lombardi biography and it has applicability to many things, karate training included.

Shotokan Myths Book Review

If you are new to our blog let me fist start by saying welcome, and we hope that you continue to visit our site for updates and opinions.  I normally do not write articles on "how-to's" as there are many karate websites and YouTube videos that do a good job of this already.  In an effort to diversify our topics I am writing my first book review on an excellent book I recently read entitled Shotokan Myths by Kousaku Yokota Sensei.

Why Not To Make A New Year's Resolution In 2012

On behalf of all of us at Way of Life Shotokan Karate-Do I would like to wish you Happy New Year and to all a healthy and fulfilling 2012 where your dreams and desires are realized whatever they may be. Now that the new year is upon us, it is the ritual season of making resolutions now that the calendar has turned a page.  Here is my advice for your 2012 New Year's Resolution- don't bother.

Karate From a Female Perspective

At Way of Life Shotokan Karate-Do we encourage our students to write articles for our blog.  The first installment is from Rita Kim (brown belt) and we thank her for her submission "Karate From a Female Perspective"- By Rita Kim

The benefits of practicing Karate, or any martial art, are invaluable. Every practitioner has their own interpretation of the purpose and benefits of Karate; for me Karate is an art. I’m not good with a paint brush or any musical instrument, but put me in a gi, I am an artist J

What Do Ancient Samurai Have To Do With Karate Today?

If you are a reader of our blog, you will know that we recently moved to a new karate school location in Mamaroneck NY.  When decorating our dojo, we decided to place 4 artwork pieces depicting samurai at the very front of the dojo when you first walk in.   The reason for doing this was more than for artistic purposes.  We did this because of the profound impact the samurai code has on martial arts and is an integral aspect of how we endeavor to train.  In fact, the very origin of Japanese "budo" or "martial arts" is rooted in the samurai.

Karate Is Below The Belt

I will get back to the Niju Kun series very shortly but I wanted to share a personal observation with you while driving home from class last night.  Karate is below the belt.To those who have trained karate or any martial art for a period of time this comes as no surprise.  In fact it is one one very first things we learn.  What do I mean by karate is below the belt?

Why Adults Should Train Karate Too

I will take a break from the Niju Kun series for this, my first, and very late blog entry for the new year. 

We are very happy to see a growth the number of new kids signing up for karate lessons at our dojo.  Whenever parents come in for the first time to sign-up their kids I ask if they are interested in training as well.  I usually get somewhat of a surprised look and generally one of the following responses: