Back to Basics
There is a story told about Gichin Funikoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, in the later years of his life. He was at a senior […]
Martial Arts Offer Power To Women
What was predominately a male activity has slowly been changing over the last few decades. You now can go into any training hall where martial
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Game of Go
The old man entered the shop quietly. His feet took him to the back table which he had been going to for over 30 years.
Breathing 101
“You cannot do it,” explained the master,” because you do not breathe right.” ~ E Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Archery Have you ever
Tai Chi Requires Many Skills
It is said that in order to draw the silk from a silkworm’s cocoon, you need to do so in a constant smooth movement. If
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Aceto Balsamico, A Drink of Another Time Shines On Us Today
We often need the past to give meaning to our present. I have a dear friend who, over many years, has enthralled us with stories
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Good Breathing Requires Practise
Breathing is probably the single most important aspect of the martial arts. We can all learn the basic techniques whether, blocking, kicking and striking, but
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The Way of a Warrior
“I have been many years training in the Way of Strategy, Ni Ten Ichi Ryu, and now I think I will explain it in writing
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The Bull Behind the Karate Man
On the island of Okinawa, there is a cultural sport called bullfighting. It is quite different from bullfighting in Spain. There, the bull takes on
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The Ancient Cloth from Which Taijiquan Was Cut
Breathing is probably the single most important aspect of the martial arts. We can all learn. Earlier, I wrote about the time and the area
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Moments That Teach
Chop wood, haul water … It was the very simple movement of mopping the floor that taught me the circular motion and energy needed to
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Children in Martial Arts
The other day, my wife and I were reminiscing about the children we have taught karate to. Our classes ranged in sizes of over 50
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A Scenic Drive Through Martial Arts
With no desire to rush, I chose a different route to Karate class. I saw a small fraction of martial arts being practiced in Whitehorse.
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The Way of Harmonious Movement
It is always enjoyable to write about an activity that is well-represented in the Yukon. However, to do some form of justice to Aikido and
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Testing a Legendary Art under a Legend
I had fallen asleep while waiting for my test to begin. There were over 400 black belts at the week-long camp. Many had travelled thousands
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The Common Threads of Self-Defence
Do you remember a little ad on the back of comic books? The legendary Charles Atlas had put together a promo about a skinny weakling
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Judo Is In a Building Year
I was 12 years old. I was facing a young girl, about my age, with a whole lot more experience in Judo than I had.
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Awareness Teaching
Common Sense, Self Defence part 2 of 4 The best defence of all is awareness … of your surroundings, your options, the situation and your
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Time and Space
Common Sense, Self Defence part 3 of 4 s with all forums of interaction, timing and space are essential to being able to work together.
Your Right to Live in a Non-violent World
Common Sense, Self Defence part 4 of 4 It is important to understand how the Canadian Criminal Code defines self defence: 34.(1) Everyone who is
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Common Sense, Self Defence
Can a person take a few lessons and be confident they are ready to defend themselves if attacked? I doubt it. 1st of a 4
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Supreme Ultimate Force
The most significant differences in the many styles of Tai Chi are in the speed and pace of the performance of the movements. There are
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Taijiquan, An Evolving Art
I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity and earnest in seeking it
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Bread Making is the Metaphor
I was first introduced to Tai Chi Chuan by a karate instructor from Quebec. We had brought him to the Yukon to teach Karate to
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Bread Making is the Metaphor
A few weeks ago, I was involved in a discussion about bread making. No, I do not mean those bread making machines you can buy
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Sumo Life: Upstairs, Downstairs
PART 2 of 2 So, what does the life of a professional sumo wrestler look like? Sumo wrestling is highly organized and rules are strictly
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The Religion and Rigour of Sumo Wrestling
I was sitting in the Vancouver airport a few years ago when, down the passageway, came the biggest men I had ever seen. Dressed in
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Story of the Three Sons and a Pot of Water
There is an old story I read many years ago. I will do my best to retell it: A sword master was visited by an
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Judo: The Gentle Way
Since Judo became an Olympic sport, it would be hard to find someone that has not heard of it. Judo is one of the most
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A Multi-Style Training Approach
There is a wonderful little book called Moving Zen written by C.W. Nichols. It tells the story of his training and living in Japan. A
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The Best of Martial Arts is a Personal Decision
If you are looking for a style to practise or you are already involved and the instructor tells you theirs is the best martial art,
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An Evening That is Different
On a cold and snowy evening in the Yukon, people and children come together in a small gymnasium. Children surge into the building followed by
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Is That All There Is … To Kicking-Punching-Throwing?
Could you please teach my son some self-discipline? He seems to be hitting people at school and I need help dealing with this type of
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The Many Faces of Martial Arts
What does the name “martial arts” bring to mind? For many, it is fighting and whatever form that takes. To others, it evokes oriental mysticism
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