Articles
The Evolution of the Middle Block
BY Master Dan Harrison The Middle Block has gone through a few refinements from when I first learned the Basic Techniques. It started as a defensive block. Through practice it became a defensive block with a counter strike. Now it can be used as a defensive strike....
Sport Psychology Lessons in Isshin-Ryu
BY STEPHANIE HUSKEY, PH.D., 6TH DAN I began training in Isshin-ryu when I was ten and learned some powerful mindset lessons over the years. By the time I was a 4th Dan, I had enrolled in a master's program in sports psychology*. In every class, I was fascinated by how...
Rob Pushard on Isshinryu Karate: A Lifetime of Dedication
By Kyoshi Rob Pushard Introduction Humble Greetings to the martial arts community from the beautiful state of Maine. My name is Rob Pushard, I’m an 8th Dan in Isshinryu Karate, with 49 years of experience in this extraordinary discipline. Today, I wish to share some...
How to Be a Good Student, Sensei, and Master of the Art of Isshin-ryu Karate
By Grand Master Willie Adams First, most Martial Arts instructors train all their students the same. This is a big mistake. One size does not fit all. Kids must be trained differently than teenagers. Teenagers must be trained differently than adults. Adults must be...
Expanding our knowledge: is it disrespectful to Isshin-ryu?
Co-written by Master John Ingram (9th Dan) and Master Cindy Ingram (8th Dan) We hear from some people that expanding knowledge by training other karate and Kobudo styles is disrespectful to Master Shimabuku. Our Sensei, Harold Mitchum was totally ok with it. However,...
Watch Out for a Lady
By Master Carol Burris It all started in the 90’s at our dojo in small town Athens, TN. I had trained for over twenty years and realized that most women were not as lucky as I was to have a Sensei that encouraged women to excel in their karate training. The ladies in...
Learning, Loyalty and Laughter In the Martial Arts
By Master Dan Holloway About the Author Master Holloway was born in Japan in 1952. His father was an American serviceman and his mother was a native of the country. He maintains his ethnic traditions and speaks conversational Japanese. He has trained continuously in...
The Quest of Ten Thousand
By Master Mike Branch I read a little story one day, whether referring to horsemanship or Karate, I do not recall. Where and how I heard it, however, is irrelevant because I have found the philosophy of the two is interchangeable. The story went something like this:...
Kata as We Age
By Master Mike Branch The older I get, the ease of mobility I once enjoyed seems harder to come by. Don’t laugh, because it’s probably true for you as well. If not, you just aren’t old enough yet. I have trained horses for a number of years now. Plus, for many years I...
Competition Kata or Dojo Kata, What’s the difference?
By Master Mike Branch There seems to be some debate these days about what people are calling “competition kata” (or tournament kata) versus what, really, I don’t know. I can only assume they mean: “dojo kata” or basically the way kata is run at home or in the dojo....
Instructor Information: Key Points To Look For In Evaluating Kata
By Master William Scott Shamblin The purpose of this article is to give instructors and students alike, some simple, concise, easy to understand, and straight forward references in evaluating Isshin‑ryu kata. It must be noted that good kata can translate...
