Chris Denwood.com
  • Blog
  • About
  • Books
  • Virtual Dojo
  • Mailing List
  • Blog
  • About
  • Books
  • Virtual Dojo
  • Mailing List
Picture

TRADITIONAL KARATE FOR HOLISTIC GROWTH

Okinawa karate should be both life preserving and life enhancing.
Join Chris as he explores the essence and application of this incredible art...

The Hierarchy of Impact

4/5/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
Within the chapter that focuses on the percussive impact in my upcoming book on the exploration of civilian combative methods found in Naihanchi Kata, I mention the 'Hierarchy of Impact' and how this important principle may be utilised in the practical application of traditional karate.

The components of 'distance' and 'time' are luxuries seldom enjoyed in the realm of civilian self-protection, so it stands to reason that any system that relies heavily on these is fundamentally flawed when aligned to this specific context. And in my opinion, due to extended ranges emphasised in many of the more contemporary karate systems in order to meet other goals, the hierarchy of impact is not often given the attention it deserves.

In this blog post, I'd like to write a little about the hierarchy of impact and why I believe any self-defence based karate dojo should look to embrace this principle throughout a variety of training protocols.    

Read More
2 Comments

Hikite: Why the Hip?

9/3/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Pulling the non-striking hand back to the hip is a common motion found in karate and although there are numerous practical applications for such an action and indeed, different reference points for hikite, I think it's important to consider why the hip position may be principally emphasised in most fundamental techniques (kihon-waza) found in classical kata.  Following on from my recent posts on this subject, I'd like to discuss two key reasons, based on the assumption that the 'hiki-te hand' has something in it when being employed (i.e. the opponent's arm, head, clothing etc.) and not performed simply for the sake of conformity.

Read More
0 Comments

People Skills vs Physical Skills

19/6/2017

2 Comments

 
In the case of civilian self-protection, our situational awareness and specifically, the way we interact with people is always far more important than the development of physical attributes. Of course, trouble can come your way regardless of how you act, but being a game of 'managing the probability of risk', any good personal safety game-plan would be best served on the basis of one being a decent human being within society.   
"When your temper rises, lower your fists. When your fists rise, lower your temper."
​- Chojun Miyagi
Take a look at the following clip, where Tim Larkin reviews footage of two experienced MMA fighters taking a pretty severe beating outside a gas station. In the review, Larkin raises a number of valid points covering the specific context of their skill-base, plus the reality of weapons or multiple opponents. However, the real message that pops out to me is the fact that this whole situation could have been completely avoided had Maiquel Falcao refrained from such anti-social behaviour towards the two ladies. A perfect example of how people skills should always be prioritised over physical skills...  ​

Read More
2 Comments

On Developing Functional Strike Paths

13/4/2016

0 Comments

 
The study of body dynamics in traditional karate can go as deep as you'd like it to and exploring the subtleties found in the art can be a very addictive process.  Indeed, exploring how you may best use positional advantage, move between stances efficiently, make use of natural strengths, exploit natural weaknesses and interact with an opponent to achieve the best results can prove a very seductive pursuit.  So much so that we sometimes forget to keep at the forefront of our minds the fundamental requirement for simplicity in self-defence, with the real risk of 'pure function' creeping further and further away from our dojo training. As they say, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication!

Percussive impact makes up Karate's primary strategy for dealing with an imminent physical threat to one's safety.  If avoidance, escape or dissuasion are not valid options to pursue or have already been exhausted, then the order of the day would be to employ swift, aggressive and overwhelming ballistic strikes. either pre-emptive (ideally) or reactive, with the aim of switching off either the ability or the inclination for the opponent to continue posing a significant risk, thus facilitating the opportunity to make a safe escape.

Read More
0 Comments

Function Dictates Form

16/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Aesthetics plays a huge part in karate...but for what reason(s)?
During the performance of kata, it can become quite easy to fall into the trap of producing specific shapes simply for the sake of aesthetics. With standardisation across styles, plus the pressure for kata to become visually eccentric and pleasing for competition or gradings, many students who follow a modern-day approach may be conditioned to aspire to form first and then wonder at a later date why the kata they follow do not directly transfer into the functionality they may require for practical application. But of course, kata was never originally developed to visually impress.

"A kata is not fixed or immoveable. Like water, it is ever changing and fits itself to the shape of the vessel containing it. However, kata are not some kind of beautiful competitive dance, but a grand martial art of self-defence, which determines life and death." - Kenwa Mabuni


Read More
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    Articles
    Books
    Bunkai
    Health & Fitness
    History
    Hojo Undo
    Inspiration
    Interviews
    Kata
    Knowledge
    News & Updates
    Principles
    Reviews
    Training
    Video

    Archives

    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2019
    October 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

Picture

Terms & Conditions  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact 
Copyright © Chris Denwood 2013 All Rights Reserved
Photos used under Creative Commons from Genista, SLImagesCa, ser..., The Consortium, perpetualplum, cphoffman42, ennuidesign, stoermchen, Ksenia Ruta