Chi (Qi) Demystified

There is a lot of nonsense out there about qi. A big part of it is due to mistranslation and others due to secrecy, misdirection and let’s not forget television. Let’s talk about what qi isn’t. It’s not magic. It’s not an ethereal, life-giving, cosmic energy that pervades the universe. You have every right to… Continue reading Chi (Qi) Demystified

Aiki vs. Awase

There is a big misconception about what the meaning of Aiki (合気) is. To many practitioners of internal of so-called ‘soft’ arts aiki means matching the speed and energy of an incoming attack. In reality, this is awase (合わせ) a part necessary to creating aiki, but it’s not the compete picture. Morihei Ueshiba called it the… Continue reading Aiki vs. Awase

A Rationale For Fighting Back

Originally Posted on January 17, 2017 by Karri It can be difficult to decide whether to take defensive action against someone violating your boundaries, like personal space, inappropriate intimate contact or teasing gone too far. This is especially true if the offender is a friend or family member. But when given a wide enough perspective,… Continue reading A Rationale For Fighting Back

The Spirit of Competition.

Originally Posted on November 11, 2015 by Karri For the longest time, I held the belief that competition in martial arts was unsafe, and ultimately counter to the guiding principles we engender. I believed that deliberately putting yourself in harms way, and looking for a fight was reckless and only served to fuel the ego.… Continue reading The Spirit of Competition.

The Trouble With Being Big and Strong

Originally Posted on October 8, 2015 by Karri I have a student, who at the age of sixteen is already stronger than I am. He lifts daily, plays football, lacrosse and now trains in martial arts. To top it off, he is extraordinarily athletic. His reflexes, pain response and mobility are off the charts. In… Continue reading The Trouble With Being Big and Strong