Kihap, or “Kiai” in Japanese, is often translated as “yell” or “shout”. In practical application, this isn’t wrong; when teaching beginners or children, instructors often say “yell like this” and demonstrate what a kihap sounds like. Sometimes, but not always, students would often kihap much like their instructor as they Continue Reading
Yoshi Ota
Strength Training and How it Can Improve Your Martial Arts
You may find yourself having a regular training routine: you go to the dojang two or three times a week, you get a good sweat in, and you feel like you’re in shape. Not that one can’t get in shape just by doing classes, especially for those who are brand Continue Reading
Meaning of “Do”: It’s Deeper Than You Think
The martial art I practice is Tang Soo Do, and there are many other martial arts that have the same “Do” word: Ken-Do, Ju-Do, Kobu-Do, Hapki-Do, Taekwon-Do, Jeet Kune Do, etc. In most (if not all) of the translations, the word “Do” is translated as “The Way”. In Daoism, Continue Reading
Being Japanese and Practicing Martial Arts in America
Being Japanese and very obviously Asian in complexion and physical stature, I have often been asked “do you know karate?” or “are you a ninja?” long before I started training in martial arts, and it only got worse once I wore apparel that clearly showed that I did. I suppose Continue Reading
Etiquette and Tips for Training while Traveling
I find myself at a point in my life where I am 1) single, 2) childless, 3) employed with flexible hours and accumulated vacation time, and, 4) not having a ‘home’ dojang. There are studios I do frequent more often due to schedule and location conveniences, but I see myself Continue Reading
What does it mean to “Empty your cup”?
You may have heard your instructor say at one point or another to “empty your cup”. What can this mean? Does it mean to literally empty your water bottle or canister of all liquids? Of course not! Depriving oneself of hydration can not be your instructor’s focus (if it is, Continue Reading
The Importance of Going at Your Own Pace
When I was a blue belt (black belt candidate), I was in my mid-twenties, single, and full of energy. There were times where I would go to the dojang 6 days a week and do multiple classes a day. I was a junkie for training and I loved it! After Continue Reading