My New Facebook Profile
It was time to update my Facebook profile when I suddenly stopped to think about what I was doing. What do I stand for and if I do stand for anything, why would anyone care? Read More …
Category: Karate
For me, karate has little to do with sport. I earn my living through IT. Music is my hobby, family my love and Karate is my life.
Change The Chip
A short article for the section Karate in the 3rd age. What are the benefits and challenges of becoming more physically active in later life? Read More …
What is the mysterious secret that only black belts know?
Is there a secret that is only known to Black Belts in Karate? I wrote this short article because I wanted to remind myself what it is that we are really doing when we learn a martial art. Read More …
Interview with Shihan Chris Thompson
I was lucky enough to be given an opportunity to speak with Shihan Chris Thompson whilst he was here in Spain instructing in May 2015. This recording was made on the fly during the break between classes and I recall we were all pretty tired from the training. There was no time to set-up and we had a few problems with the audio. It was also the first time I have ever interviewed anyone, so I now have tremendous respect for those that make it look so easy. It is not… Read More …
What is a karate belt anyway?
Karate students generally wear their belts with pride, but what does it actually mean? If you ask the public, the only belt they seem to know is black, which means you are an expert, brown, which means you are almost an expert and white, which means you are anything but an expert. So with all this in mind, why do we even need all the belts in between? Read More …
Black is the colour
A friend sent me a recording of Johny Smith playing Black is the Colour. It brought tears to my eyes, that haunting melody, the sad tonality overlaid on major chords. I listened to it a few times and immediately started to feel better. This short article came about as a result. Read More …
Is karate a realistic solution to bullying?
I wrote this short article to share my own experiences in dealing with an issue which many people face every day. Bullying can take a variety of forms and if allowed to go unchecked can lead to long term mental health issues and even tragedy. It is a problem that requires immediate action and can be difficult to address, because it often takes place in the shadows away from the gaze of those who could prevent it. Read More …