My job as a teacher of traditional Okinawa karate is to educate students. If you learn even one thing from the following article, I have done my job. I was asked to write about what makes Lyoto Machida different from a typical MMA fighter. But I realize that you cannot understand that until you understand exactly what it is that Machida practices … traditional karate do.

As a teacher, one of the most common questions I hear is, “How is this going to work?” This is usually asked when students learn how to block. In the beginning, blocking is awkward and slow, but over time, with lots of repetition, it becomes faster and more comfortable. In the beginning these blocks are drills for coordination of the mind and body, but as the student’s training progresses, the technique becomes more refined.

There are three phases to this process. At the beginning, the student has only natural movements without technique. The teacher first shows the student the mechanics of the technique, and the student becomes very rigid, almost robotic. Next, over a period of time, the student gets back to natural movement, but with technique, proper form and muscle control. Finally, the speed and power of the technique builds naturally over time. One of the biggest mistakes a student makes is sacrificing technique for speed or power. This is why it takes so long to obtain a black belt in a legitimate dojo.

Now the big question: “Did Lyoto Machida practice blocking this way?” Absolutely! These are beginning steps to a refined defense that have smaller movement and no wasted motion. For example, a high block would not be a practical defense for a jab because it is too slow, but through time and training the refined technique will allow the karate ka to defend against any type of attack and combination.

Karate ka are trained for life situations and to adapt to any given obstacle. In my style, Goju-Ryu, there is a term called gokui that translates to “essential teaching.” The essence of Goju-Ryu is sanchin, which means three battles. These are mind, body and spirit (energy). It is said that if a karate ka can master Sanchin (coordinating mind, body and spirit) he can master Goju-Ryu. This is a difficult thing to do and takes a lifetime of training to accomplish. This is also why a black belt isn’t the end but only the beginning of a karate student’s training.

Karate masters have been described in many ways. My favorite is as follows: “A karate ka will go through life as a gentle breeze or a calm ocean but, at any given moment, he can escalate to the force of a hurricane or tsunami then immediately return to his original state.”

This speaks volumes about the mentality of a karate ka. Karate is 90 percent mental, and skill builds over time. The rank of shodan (first degree black belt) is an “entry level” and usually takes between five and seven years of training to obtain. Traditionally, when a sensei (teacher) promotes someone to shodan, he is accepting that person as a student. The person has come to training regularly, worked hard and has done every thing the sensei has asked of him for years. Now he is truly ready to learn. A student’s belt is a symbol of his achievement, but his true rank is in his mind. When students leave the dojo, I remind them that when they take of their belts, they don’t take their karate off. Karate is the development of the mind, body and spirit.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of “bad karate” out there. Yes, you can buy your black belt and certificate for $1,000 from a two-month, crash-course karate school, but you are better off going to a martial arts supplier and paying $20 for the same belt and making a certificate on your computer. In the end, you will have achieved the same thing … nothing!

These fad schools don’t teach traditional karate. They often call the place where students train a “studio” or “gym.” In traditional karate do, students practice in a “dojo.” Many people assume that fad schools teach karate do. They do not, and this association is damaging to the reputation of traditional karate do. The majority of these fad schools train for weekend tournaments, where every competition is a “National Championship.” No need to qualify. You just pay your money at the door, and you’re in.

There are many versions of fad karate. At open tournaments, where practitioners from any style can compete, I have seen blue, green, purple and camouflage gi (uniforms). At these events, I have seen kata (forms) set to music, sloppy technique and a huge lack of respect replaced with bad attitude.

The types of tournaments I want people to know about are traditional tournaments. (There’s that word again, “traditional.”) In these tournaments, only white gi and legitimate, recognized styles are allowed. The experienced competitors wear either knuckle protectors (thin hand pads that only protect the bones on the top of the hand) or no pads at all, and every technique must be executed with control.

The criteria for a point are as follows: did the technique have timing, distance, target and control? Was the technique executed with proper speed, power, balance and ki (energy)? Did the technique symbolize a killing or crippling blow?

Is it physical? Without a doubt! In the black-belt divisions, you are allowed to make contact as long as you do not cause excessive swelling or bleeding. There is a foul called mubobi, which means “defenseless attitude.” The official will point at your face and then point at the door. If a competitor receives this call, he will be suspended from competition for one year, because he was not able to protect himself and needs more training before he can compete again.

The mentality of this kind of athlete is one of respect and sportsmanship. I know when I competed, I didn’t view it as a contest but more as a test. I was putting my skills up against those of other practitioners. I would learn from my mistakes. The biggest part of my competing was my positive attitude. For example, when I walked into a tournament, I would not look at the table with the medals and trophies, but I would look at the other competitors, sizing them up and deciding who would be my biggest challenge that day. I would be upset if the competition wasn’t challenging, because fighting against people who are better than you only makes you better!

In 1994, I was All-American. I won the Nationals with no more than a jab, a reverse punch and a front kick, with an occasional round house thrown in. All these techniques I learned in my first month of training. The only difference was that I kept changing my timing and angles. I also used foot sweeps to off-balance my opponents. Hmmm, this sounds familiar. I always trained (and still train) with the idea that there is someone better out there who trains harder than I do!

I could go on forever about principal, technique and training methods, but I would like to talk about one more thing that Lyoto Machida displays, its called zanshin. Zanshin means “remaining mind.” A karate practitioner should always practice this. For example, common sense dictates that you should look both ways before crossing the street. But zanshin means you continue that awareness as you cross the street. Just because there were no cars coming when you first looked doesn’t mean that some person driving 90 mph isn’t coming now! Your mind must be working continuously. In the ring, it isn’t the bell that stops the fight but your opponent. If you drop your hands when the bell rings and then get hit because your opponent ignored the bell, that’s your fault. You let your guard down and allowed it to happen!

All martial arts are linked. You will see techniques from various styles mirrored in others. As long as a style remains true to its origin, and the technique and principals are not altered, the tradition of that style will be preserved. If you want to learn more about traditional karate, here are some names to Google: Chojun Miyagi (Goju ryu), Morio Higaonna (Goju ryu) and Gichin Funikoshi (Shotokan).

Lyoto Machida has proven that karate can exist in the MMA world, and he has proven it fight after fight. My advice to any martial arts practitioner is this: whatever style you train, train hard, be true to yourself, never underestimate your opponent, believe in yourself and learn from your mistakes. My hat is off to a true martial artist!

Ralph Batty, Jr.
Goju-Ryu practitioner, 27 years
1994 Amateur Athletic Union National Champion
1994 International Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation World Champion

I honestly can't remember the date. How many years ago it was that I walked into the Dojo and met Sensei Ralph. What I do remember was an awareness that he had a gift, that he was overflowing with this "understanding" of The Way and that it was available to anyone who could hear him, see him, and accept this path. For me, it did not come easily. It still does not. I have to go over it, and over it, and over it again. I am not a "natural." I took the beginners class twice... but still something called me. Sensei Ralph inspired me, motivated me to try, to work hard, and pushed me farther than I could go on my own.

I remember that first promotion to white belt with black stripe... it was a total surprise. I felt unworthy, but he saw something in me that I could not see. I was humbled that day, and inspired to live up to the confidence that he showed in me. I still feel unworthy, but I trust him and do not question my rank. I can only do my best, and I can always work harder.

And now, just on the horizon, and again to my surprise, I see Shodan in the distance.

What I do understand is that I am finally at the beginning, that I am honored to be a part of this Dojo, and on this path that has no end.

In gratitude and respect,

Doug Chesler

(my friends call me Neehar)