Chris Denwood.com
  • Blog
  • About
  • Store
  • Virtual Dojo
  • Mailing List
  • Blog
  • About
  • Store
  • 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 Combative Nature of Kata

1/3/2022

4 Comments

 
Picture
When considering the combative nature of kata and how it fits into the civilian self-defence model of old-style karate (whatever 'old-style' may be, we'll leave for another blog post!), we have to first start with some simplistic truths. Once these are understood and appreciated, it is not too difficult to see how the movements of kata fit well into that model.

The first aspect to consider is that from a practical standpoint, there are really only two states when applying 'self-protection' against a threat to our safety. We are either 'escaping' from the threat, or we are 'engaging' that threat in such a way so that we may facilitate escape at the earliest appropriate opportunity. This is in stark contrast to consensual violence, where physical confrontation is actively sought out and time spent in that confrontation is often purposefully drawn out.

In terms of engagement ranges, there are again, really only two to be concerned with. You're either engaging the threat 'unattached' or engaging them 'attached'. These can of course be both pre-emptive and reactive, but the key contrast is the physical attachment. Your enemy may attach to you, you may attach to your enemy or both. Although crossovers exist, these two states require different combative tactics and it is obvious that being unattached will naturally facilitate an escape much easier than if already attached.

So based on the above, the list of priorities for the context of civilian self-protection may look something like this:     

Read More
4 Comments

Ten Exercises for Situational Awareness

7/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Practicing karate for personal safety requires a holistic strategy that covers far more (and sometimes the opposite) than the skills normally practiced in the dojo. Even if the practical methods taught are contextually aligned and effective for civilian self-protection, these still only represent a small part of a viable personal safety game-plan, as they tend to focus heavily on the last resort of a physical response. Of course, there are numerous options available before the requirement to go physical that unlock initially through the ability to maintain a healthy level of situational awareness and perceive potential threats before they may become a significant problem.

Read More
0 Comments

What is Correct Form?

23/4/2021

2 Comments

 
Picture
Now that's what I call a question...
What is correct form?
Ask ten people and I expect you'll receive ten different answers!

In fact, the reason why we have differences in the performance of kata across style is ultimately down to what is considered 'correct form', which is in essence a human construct.

​After all, karate doesn't really care what style it's from!


So let's take this idea of 'correct form' and explore what it may actually mean... ​

Read More
2 Comments

Okinawa Karate: A Microcosm of Life

5/4/2021

2 Comments

 
Picture
Please check out this incredible playlist that features a series of short interviews with some of Okinawa's most respected karate masters...
Picture
Okinawa Karate Spirit
These genuinely heart-warming interviews have been beautifully produced and serve to create a very valuable record of 16 teachers who not only have direct links to the pioneering masters of our past, but who have also contributed greatly to karate's continual evolution and inspired so many to find passion in this incredible art.       

Read More
2 Comments

Essential Hikite

4/10/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Following the ongoing debate and controversy over the Internet surrounding the practical purpose of Hikite (pulling hand), I thought I would offer my own take, which doesn't suggest any specific application per se, but instead covers what is in my opinion, a far more essential understanding of this concept in action. 

For me, in order for the physical expression of karate to become both holistically effective and integrated, we must look at the classical kata choreography according to its most essential elements. Regardless of any particular combative purpose (which due to lack of historical evidence is always going to be a product of reverse engineering based on informed opinion), the expression of universal principles that govern karate are entirely dependent on how we move as a human being. That is really our only constant.

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

    March 2022
    December 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    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