Every week I post a message in my app to tell subscribers about that week’s new additions. For the last few weeks, we’ve also been discussing the current situation and potential ways in which we can take care of ourselves and each other. These seems to be going down well. So, in the hope this is of some use to some of you, I’m also going to post this one here.

“If you are going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill.

Considering current world events, martial arts are not that important in the great scheme of things. However, they do matter to martial artists! They are part of your identity and a major part of your lifestyle. For some, martial arts are also your profession and how you provide for the needs of your family.

This is a follow-up video to the one called, “Traditional Things I Do NOT Do and Why” that was uploaded last week. In response to questions and feedback, this video looks at some misunderstandings that arose and explains why I still do the following traditional things:

1) Use Japanese Terminology

2) Wear a Gi

In this video we look at a Naihanchi / Tekki based partner drill and pad drill. The drill consists of the kata methods being rapidly applied in a way that seeks to maintain dominance and ultimately facilitate escape (self-protection context).

While all the methods in the drill are found in the kata, the order is not the same. It’s vitally important to understand that the learning order (i.e. the sequence of the solo kata) is not the mandatory application order. In application, we use whatever method is relevant at that moment: the situation dictates, not the solo kata.