Published Articles

As you progress in Karate you should seek to understand more of what you do, why you do it, and how you can best apply it to yourself.  In Karate this is known as Shu Ha Ri - Learn the essence of the moves, understand them and then apply them in a way that works for you.

​

Understanding the root of Karate, or any martial art for that matter, is about understanding that the origin comes from people who are able to defend themselves.  There was not really the idea of Kihon or Kumite that modern day Karate teaches and all the focus was on practicality of the techniques that ultimately could save their life.

​

As part of his own personal journey, one of our instructors (Scott Watson) has spent a lot of time trying to understand some basic principles and has chosen to share this with others by having some articles published in Shotokan Karate Magazine.  

​

Below are some of the published articles:

• Gedan Barai -  A New Perspective (SKM153)

  • A discussion about understanding all the elements of the Gedan Barai and ​possible options for using all parts of the technique.  Exploration into where this techniques applies the block and what parts can be used offensively.  Looking at using the whole of the technique so there is no waste in our training.​​​

​

• The Block Control Strike Principle  (SKM154)

  • Looking at some of the techniques we practice and how these can be boiled down to a principle.  Once the principle is understood we can look to see where and how this is applied through kata.​

​

• Straightening the Curve in Shotokan (SKM156)

  • Many of the techniques we use in Karate have a circular motion but to get the most out of these, the body is used to turn this rotational energy into linear energy at the end of the technique, making it more effective.  We use Mae Geri to demonstrate this principle and then look where else in our training we apply this often without understanding why.​

​

• The Origins and Thoughts About Blocking in Shotokan (Published on SKM website - link)

  • This article goes back to basics to discuss that when fighting systems started to be recognised there were no basic or formalised, rule based, kumite we do today and therefore it investigates the true purpose of what we are taught as blocks today.​

​

• Chambering the Thrust Technique (5th Dan Thesis)

  • This article was a Thesis submitted as part of Scott's 5th Dan grading.  It explores how we best prepare for the thrust techniques in order to make them effective.​

​