Real-World Lessons for a Functional Karate System (Part 2) Author: Tony Bolton In Part 1, we looked at the mechanical and strategic gaps in modern training. But a fight is not just physics; it is physiology and psychology. When the conversation stops and violence begins, you are not fighting the opponent in front of you. […]
There is a curious obsession in traditional martial arts, and karate in particular, with the way you stand. Not with how you move, not with how you get somewhere, but with the precise frozen moment at the end of a technique — the stance. The angle of the foot. The bend of the knee. The […]
Real-World Lessons for a Functional Karate System (Part 1) Author: Tony Bolton We often describe traditional Japanese Karate as a "Japanese Garden"—beautiful, structured, and manicured. But real violence is a jungle. It is chaotic, messy, and unfair. If we want our karate to be more than just successful choreography, we must acknowledge where the gaps […]
A few years ago we recorded a GLIMPSE video that got a bit of attention. We were asked to create a readable version for those of you who do not want to sit through a lengthy chat. Fear originates in the amygdala, triggering a chemical cascade including adrenaline. Everyone reacts physically the same way — […]
Some deeply personal thoughts by Sensei Chris Edwards The people that know me well know how much I struggle with my Mental Health. My one saving grace between my job as a Nurse and my other stresses in life is Martial Arts. Without Martial Arts, or Karate in particular, I know for a fact I […]
Parents often bring their children to the dojo with a specific vision in mind. They hope for a bully-proof child, better school grades, iron discipline, and perhaps some lovely photos in a crisp white uniform for the grandparents. These are understandable desires. Yet, they often miss the actual purpose of our practice.Martial arts is not […]
Thoughts by Sensei Sandro Sandten Does martial arts train character? Many of us started martial arts because we were looking for more than just movement or self-defence. We wanted to develop a posture—an attitude—to understand ourselves better and to find a path that connects physical training with personal development. There is a lot of talk […]
Sensei Sandro Sandten about Peer Tutoring in Martial Arts. In Karate, you often get the feeling that you have to work everything out for yourself. But many eventually discover that learning in the Dojo becomes much easier when you have someone by your side. Someone who understands where you are, and helps you stick with […]
Missing Link is the Method. Gendai Koryu Karate is the Style. After nearly 15 years of Missing Link Martial Arts, we have decided that the Karate we practice deserves its own name. For a long time, we had good reasons to stay away from specific lineages, style names, or large official organisations. We wanted the […]
Why Missing Link teachers are guides, not gatekeepers It’s a familiar figure in any dojo, in any art. The competitor who is untouchable in point-sparring but freezes when the context changes. The kata specialist whose form is a breathtaking display of athletic perfection, yet who possesses only a superficial understanding of its application. The historian […]