Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

IKENSHO: Proper Technique vs. Improper Technique

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

What makes a technique proper? I had to ask myself that question because I don't feel that most in karate actually know and understand what makes it proper or improper, they often look to the form presented and that question arises, "is form of technique proper and how does that translate to form vs. function, i.e., function being its application according to its intent."

It must be noted if you are a first time reader of my stuff that I no longer use technique-based teachings except as a beginner model because I prefer that one focus on a principled based fundamental model of methodologies to learn the more critical aspects of karate or martial arts for the intent of self-protection.

What is improper? ANSWER: when protecting oneself and it fails...
What is proper? ANSWER: when protecting oneself and it succeeds...

Both questions should initially be answered with, "It depends..." using the ellipse to indicate there is far more here than a simple and simplistic answer that humans lean heavily toward for a variety of reasons BECAUSE in the end the two questions and their answers above should dictate just how you teach the arts. Even with these simplistic perspectives the answers although good sound-bites leaves out a lot, i.e., for instance, when they work and when they don't work can mean that in the legal system even when you successfully protect yourself those skills used may end up sending you to jail anyway ergo they succeeded but they failed anyway. 

To those who are committed to the technique-based programs this is NOT a hit on what you do BECAUSE one very proficient, knowledgable and expert karate-ka once stated, “I think the problem with is that they are often taught out of context… and that is totally OK when FIRST learning a technique. People see this INITIAL phase and MISTAKE it for the entirety of the process.” In short, technique-based is most excellent in teaching principles through a martial methodology so that when principles and multiple methodologies are then studied the foundation is laid properly and that is a good thing AND YET to remain static within a technique-based model hurts more than helps when working toward mastery of the discipline. 

Note: this and all my articles are not meant to be a comprehensive encyclopedia of the how-to of martial arts or karate but rather a stimulus of the old gray cells so that one can perceive, discover and create the necessary methodologies and philosophies that govern the righteous honorable way of the empty hand. As you can readily imagine it is the discovery that is the impetus of greatness and not the repetitive practice of movement; it is the creativity of thought that spurs on the actions necessary to assimilate proper processes and concepts in one’s mind; it is how we excel and break the stagnation of such static, unmovable and unchanging practices. 

What is proper technique? What is an improper technique? What is one’s intent in answering these questions? What is one’s intent in the training, practice and application that would answer these two questions? What other questions can you derive from this study? 


Charles James
For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

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