South Florida Samurai Martial Arts

05/20/2026

Hot Kata

Let me warn everyone: this practice is not safe. If you are not used to hot temperatures, this could potentially make you extremely sick. This is simply my own experience that I want to share. I live in Florida, where summers can be brutally hot. Walking on asphalt, concrete, or sand can burn your feet in seconds. Beach sand can reach temperatures of 120 degrees....

Let me warn everyone: this practice is not safe. If you are not used to hot temperatures, this could potentially make you extremely sick. This is simply my own experience that I want to share. I li…

05/15/2026

New Moon Kata

The New Moon is symbolic of communication, information, learning something new, investing in new ways, and experiencing your neighborhood through fresh eyes. In May 2026, the New Moon falls on Saturday, May 16th. Unlike the Full Moon, the New Moon offers no extra light—just you and the darkness. At first, that might not sound appealing. No spotlight. No visibility. No dramatic energy....

The New Moon is symbolic of communication, information, learning something new, investing in new ways, and experiencing your neighborhood through fresh eyes. In May 2026, the New Moon falls on Satu…

05/14/2026

Kata with a Friend

When I say “kata with a friend,” I’m not talking about during class. I’m talking about getting together with a friend or family member outside of class to do kata. Kata can be meditative and enjoyable when done with someone who matches your speed and enthusiasm. You’re not trying to explain or teach the kata. You’re simply sharing the experience of the movements, the focus, and the environment together....

When I say “kata with a friend,” I’m not talking about during class. I’m talking about getting together with a friend or family member outside of class to do kata. Kata can be meditative and enjoya…

05/09/2026

Chanting for Kata

Chanting has been around for thousands of years, but I’ve never heard of anyone incorporating chanting into kata practice. I started experimenting with chanting during some of my katas and found it…

05/08/2026

Birthday Katas

Birthday Katas are simple: perform one kata for every year you’ve been alive. As a rough estimate, each kata takes about one minute, so that can help you judge how much time you’ll need to complete your Birthday Katas challenge. I started doing this when I was 57 years old. Yes, it really does take about an hour to complete 60 katas!...

Birthday Katas are simple: perform one kata for every year you’ve been alive. As a rough estimate, each kata takes about one minute, so that can help you judge how much time you’ll need to complete…

05/06/2026

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05/04/2026

Kata in the Elements

Training Beyond Comfort  The purpose of this practice is simple: take kata out of your comfort zone. Rain, wind, heat, cold—unfamiliar weather conditions challenge your focus and test your abi…

04/16/2026

Chanting for Kata

I do katas everywhere—daily, on special occasions, even on vacation in front of landmarks and landscapes. Over time, I’ve developed 20+ different ways to practice—some for fun, others for health and fitness. This May, I’m sharing one kata idea each day. Day 1 Chanting Chanting has been around for thousands of years, but I rarely see it used in katas—so I started incorporating it....

I do katas everywhere—daily, on special occasions, even on vacation in front of landmarks and landscapes. Over time, I’ve developed 20+ different ways to practice—some for fun, others for health an…

03/24/2026

Shuriken Weekend March 2012

03/05/2026

When Do I Begin Self-Defense

Today is my fifth morning feeding my daughter’s cats before work. My day starts early — I’m out the door at 3:00am It’s dark. The lighting changes. The shadows obscure your vision. And my self-defe…