The Sword Polisher
💡 What is the meaning of life?
Yanti Amos shares a profound reflection on teaching, mentorship, and the art of transformation—drawing parallels between the craft of a sword polisher, the discipline of karate, and the wisdom of yoga.
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Struggles in the Dojo by Steve King sensei
Karate is built on respect, discipline, and personal growth—but what happens when ego and rank are used to intimidate rather than uplift? In this powerful article, Steve King Sensei shares his personal experiences of facing and overcoming bullying in the dojo, the responsibility of a true Sensei, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
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The Challenges of Physical Contact for Male Karate Instructors
In martial arts, physical contact is inevitable, but when it comes to gestures of support—like a simple hug—male instructors often face hesitation. In this thought-provoking piece, Jon Keeling explores the challenges, perceptions, and inequalities surrounding physical contact in Karate. Should male instructors be more cautious than their female counterparts? Read on and join the conversation.
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Great martial arts instruction goes beyond technique—it’s about leadership, mindset, and the ability to inspire. This space is dedicated to sensei, coaches, and instructors, both new and experienced, who are committed to lifelong learning and effective leadership.
Here, we explore what it truly means to lead—with wisdom, adaptability, and a deep respect for the journey. From refining your teaching approach to navigating the challenges of coaching, our articles and discussions are designed to help you grow, evolve, and empower your students.
Leadership is not a rank—it’s a responsibility. Let’s walk this path together.
🚀 Stay curious. Keep learning. Lead with purpose. 🚀
Egotism is the anesthetic
Ego, of course, can be both a good and a bad thing, but in this piece, I wanted to highlight one aspect of the ego that I believe is wholeheartedly bad:
Beginners Mind Leadership
A beginner’s mind is an attitude of openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, regardless of experience or expertise. In Zen philosophy, it is often said that “in the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind, there are few.”
To Instructors
Curious about the qualities that define an exceptional karate instructor? Read another inspiring article by JT Sensei
To the women and to the leaders in our community
Benefits of Women-Only Karate Classes
Having trained in martial arts for 40 years as a woman, I can confidently say that there are real benefits to women training in women-only karate classes
Are martial arts associations helping or holding you back?
While they offer structure and credibility, some become restrictive, controlling, or even abusive. If you've ever felt pressured, excluded, or unfairly treated, you're not alone.
rules for karate success
RULES FOR SUCCESS IN KARATE Compiled By Les Bubka
Months into the pandemic and COVID-19 is not going away. We all face difficulties, maybe our finances are not great, our physical health is not up to scratch, we might be depressed. We all miss social interaction and there are so many effects that an individual can experience during these tough times. I’m no different, I struggle, I miss contact with my friends and most of all, I miss training in the dojo. The way that my training is structured makes it very difficult to make training via platforms such as Zoom worthwhile. I mean, how many times can you go through Kata, Kihon and combinations without repeating the process again and again? I want to be punched and thrown about...