Sun 07:48 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. In re-evaluating the ground defense portion of the Can-ryu curriculum, it is important to think long and hard about the key tenets of our style to ensure that the core curriculum I propose fits with those tenets. I will review them here. Read more: continue Read Full Story

Sun 07:48 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. I put together this bunch of clips so I could get a look at how different forms of karate executed a basic take-down (nage- waza in Jananese). When I started training (many, many moons ago), it was in Shotokan Karate. And, being a very hard Japanese style (Okinawan origins), it focused almost exclusively on the linear techniques. Read more: continue Read Full Story

Sun 07:47 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. The human activity of learning has over the decades been thoroughly analyzed by many Great Minds to include many noted Martial Artists. One excellent example was Dr. Jigoro Kano, Founder of Kodokan Judo. He was also a very famous educator in Japanese Society. Many of the technical aspects and the resulting methods of teaching (as well as the taxonomy of techniques) of Kodokan Judo are a direct result of Dr. Kano's understandi... Read Full Story

Sun 07:46 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. One of the interesting peculiarities about our particular scope and sequence _ our method for teaching Tomikiryu, is that between Ikkyu (1st brown belt) and shodan (1st black belt) there is a huge amount of time but a relatively small amount of new techniques. Between ikkyu and shodan is at least 90 mat-hours but only 5 new techniques. And those 5 techniques are not really the main idea that the student is supposed to get. So, ... Read Full Story

Sun 07:45 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. Don’t believe me? It’s true I tell you! The Okinawans had both grappling and wrestling. They called it tegumi, and if you do karate you do it too (whether you know it or not).What Was Tegumi Originally? Tegumi has often been described as a form of Okinawan Sumo. Read more: continue Read Full Story

Mon 05:33 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. Speed training is essential to effective self defense. "The ultimate goal of the warrior is to learn to end the fight with a single blow" this was stated by Miyamoto Musashi in his famous text "A Book of Five Rings. So how does the martial artist attain their own level of maximum speed for quick strikes and devastating kicks? Lets explore. Read more: continue Read Full Story

Mon 05:33 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. There are so many benefits to be gained through Martial Arts ranging from increasing Confidence and Self Esteem, to encouraging Discipline, Self Discipline, Respect, Focus and Excellence. The increase in strength, coordination, balance and flexibility. Read more: continue Read Full Story

Mon 05:32 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. So here is the Karate analogy. Teaching students who previously learned another style is like recarpeting an office -- you have to move all the furniture before you can install the carpet. The furniture is good, it just all has to be moved. Read more: continue Read Full Story

Mon 05:32 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. From conspiracy theorists to profiteers to well intentioned, committed students, all karate-ka (it seems) have a take on the mystery of kata application and relevance. Ideas like: “Only a few select people are still alive who know the REAL bunkai for these kata”, “It is the OLD way of training and Karate has outgrown it”, and “It’s the best/worst training for a real fight”. If any of th... Read Full Story

Mon 05:31 PST. Posted by staff@riposte.org. I have been thinking a lot about the subject of being a black belt. Last week in the dojo, my husband had an excellent discussion with a 1st kyu student about the process of being a black belt. Yes, there is a test, a list of requirements and long hours needed in the dojo. But, there is something more. It is the hard to describe, intangible quality that he referred to as "becoming" a black belt. It is something you know...when ... Read Full Story