Last year, I wrestled with the idea of visiting Japan again. Since 1977, I have visited the country more than 10 times, usually to train in karate and occasionally to compete. I had loved my time there, but my last visit was in 2007, and I wondered if this was enough. Perhaps it was time…
Kumite, or “meeting of hands,” is a commonly used term for sparring in karate. Today, people often equate kumite with sparring in dojo or what we see in tournaments. However, kumite would have had a far different meaning for Chitose-Sensei, who fought but never in tournaments. I did a lot of sparring in the dojo…
Ted Jungblut has had a long and storied career in karate. He started his journey in 1965, joining the Toronto dojo of Masami Tsuruoka, the founder of karate in Canada. He went on to dominate kumite competitions in Canada. For example, he won in Canada’s first three national championships (1974–76). He also fought and served…
When I started practising Zen meditation with a teacher, I didn’t think it worked too well. Instead of becoming calmer, my mind seemed to get louder and more chaotic, with trains of thought and emotions I could not control. I came to understand that my mind hadn’t gotten busier. I had just become aware of…
In November Canada Ryusei students participated in a clinic in Sherbrooke, Quebec, hosted by Chantal Lepage-Sensei and her senior student, Anik Desrosiers. Joining the Quebec Ryusei students were participants from three Ontario dojo, including Matt Mannerow and Ronan Johnson from Grey-Bruce Ryusei; Rick Going and Alex Mack from Ottawa Ryusei; and Carminha Caneira and I…
In karate we spend a lot of time working on our stances. Practising them strengthens our legs, sure, but that’s not their main point. The stances are designed so we can lower our weight into a rooted posture, enabling us to execute strong blows, blocks, throws and joint locks. But the equation many people make…
