I fought in my first official tournament today and won first place in self defenses!

SurrenderWithin

Training in the heat has never been an enjoyable experience for me, and even with years of practice behind me I still find myself walking into the dojo with a sigh of resignation when I feel the damp warmness of the air that happens during the summer.

Mokuso helps me push the negative feelings aside as I calm my mind, and focus on the moment, but as soon as the sweat starts on my brow, which usually happens within minutes of the warm up, and drops into my eyes I am reminded of the...

supergroup7

This isn't a new concept for me, I've always known that my training doesn't end when the Karate class ends.

However, this month I've been fighting for improvement in an area that I cannot believe existed. My daily attitude towards myself has been challenged, and I'm finding it shocking to see that what I grew up with, what I've believed all of my life, what I've had to carry with me all of my years of experience is not what needs to be.

Now I'm faced with a void because...

supergroup7

Every training hall is full of men with only a few ladies amongst the lower grades, so obviously instructors tend to teach fighting methods aimed at the needs of their male students. This creates a dangerous sense of security amongst female martial artists. More applicable training is required to help those who need it the most-the average female student who has to live under the constant threat of rape and sexual harassment from people close to her.

Rape can be divided into two...

ashiharakaicho

Closer to home, lets have a look at a technique series given as an example by a well respected Karate instructor on her website, which is dedicated to self defence workshops (not Karate instruction). To me this illustrates why assuming that your clear expertise in a traditional art makes you an expert in self defence might get your students killed.

Right. Photo 1 shows the attacker grabbing her one wrist with both of his hands. Her response is as follows: Her first technique is to...

ashiharakaicho