Newell's Kajukenbo

♣️

One of the most limiting words in martial arts may be the word “is.”

“This movement is a block.”
“This technique is a throw.”
“This kata movement is for escaping a wrist grab.”

The moment we say “is,” we often stop exploring.

A movement becomes frozen in place. The student stops looking for timing variations, positional changes, alternate targets, different tactical goals, or contextual adaptations. The technique becomes a museum piece instead of a living skill.

But “can be” changes everything.

“This movement can be used as a throw.”
“It can be a strike.”
“It can be a frame.”
“It can be a limb destruction.”
“It can be a transitional position.”
“It can be a method of creating space.”
“It can be a moment of tactile control.”

Now the door is open.

Traditional forms, kata, and drills are often better understood as containers of possibility rather than single fixed answers. The body only moves in so many ways. Human beings only bend in so many ways. Under pressure, the same shapes and mechanics naturally reappear across many functions.

A rising motion can lift an arm, strike a chin, break posture, jam a shoulder, intercept a punch, or create a wedge for a takedown. The motion itself is not imprisoned into a singular meaning.

This does not mean “anything goes.”

Some interpretations are mechanically stronger.
Some fit the timing better.
Some better match the style’s tactical assumptions.
Some are more historically probable.
Some hold up under pressure, and others collapse immediately.

But exploration has to be allowed before refinement can occur.

Too often, martial artists inherit answers before they inherit questions.

The danger of “is” is not merely technical limitation. It is psychological limitation. It trains certainty too early. It encourages memorization over investigation.

“Can be” preserves curiosity.

And curiosity is one of the things that keeps an art alive.

♣️

It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.

To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.

He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.

While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.

We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way.

As we grieve this loss, we kindly ask for privacy for our family during this time.

Thank you for loving him with us.

With love,
The Norris Family

Great training today out of all our students!
For our family class we focused on a few basic strikes while adding forward motion.
For the adults an introduction to club defense & offense techniques.
Always fun & essential to introduce new concepts in a class ♣️ Well done everyone!

Ukemi is %50 of the training.

Your failure to be good at Ukemi becomes a hindrance to the development of your training partner and your own understanding of Budô. You have a role and therefore a responsibility to become skilled at Ukemi. To become good at Ukemi, you must have the right spirit. A spirit of presence and conviction. Without this spirit, you will be hesitant,fearful and stiffen in your body, hence creating a greater chance of injury to yourself and your training partner.
Developing the correct heart for receiving demonstrates an inner acceptance of the present. It will make you a better,safer and more enjoyable training partner, increasing your overall depth of understanding in the martial arts.

“Your Ukemi is improving. You’re starting to understand the martial arts now.”
( Takamatsu Sensei to Hatsumi Sensei )