AyaShindou

Yea, in TKD and Kung Fu I was taught to use my shin when kicking the legs. There's a lot more power in the kick than if you were to kick with your instep. That may just tick your opponent off. I would have to agree with you, except I'm not use to using the ball of my foot with anything but a front kick, and even that's not apart of the kicking curriculum in classical Goju Ryu. When we do a front kick, we have to kick with the heel of our foot.

Next question: Is Haidong Gumdo and Kendo pretty much the same? From what I've seen, I can't really tell the difference.

Yes, you kick with the ball of your foot. I misunderstood what my sensei was telling me when he said you have to curl the toes back. The kick takes a lot of leg strength, it's as simple as that. A round house in sports TKD is much easier to do and a lot faster, and it's what I'm use to. I've never been in a classical system before that's so serious about getting every kick, movement, stance, just perfect. My sensei corrected my posture, punches, kicks, stances, blocks, everything tonight. I know I can kick my way throuygh this style, but mastering proper form in another story altogether. I personally prefer the sports TKD round house over the classical. It takes less technique, time, and effort. lol

Correction on the kick aiming for the face or chest. I thought it was a kick to the face or chest because it's not an instep kick. I was talking to my sensei tonight and he said the technique is to curl the toes back as much as possible, the kick is still meant to hit the side of the body, but with the bottom of the toes. The reason behind it is so that you're not risking breaking any of tarsal, metatarsal or phalange bones in your foot.

Well, it's all suppose to be done in one swift step, but by breaking it down, five steps are required. (1) in fighting stance... forward foot pivots so that's it's horizontal. (2) back leg goes up behind you. (3) hip rotates as you throw out the kick. supporting foot is pointing in the opposite direction. (4) kick must be high enough (which takes a lot of leg strength) (5) kick can't land until it is brought back into its original place (behind other leg in fighting stance) In addition, you do not aim for the side of the head, ribs, or legs when performing this kick. It strikes out at the sternum or face (depending on where you want to kick) The only thing that makes it a round house kick is that you have to pivot your foot, then rotate your body as you throw the kick out. But then it just strikes out straight ahead.

One of my ESL students is a Third Dan Black Belt in Haidong Gumdo and is now teaching me two days a week. I'm wondering if anyone else studies it. It's like a Korean version of Japanese Kendo.

Hi Lukin, it's good that you are a little nervous about starting Karate. A little nervousness during your experience will help keep you focused and concentrated. There's really nothing to Karate until you get to the higher belt levels. At first you will just be taught the basic blocks, punches, kicks, stances, etc. It's all pretty straight forward, but you will be surprised how fast you will progress once you get the basics down. You will also find that there will be a certain technique that doesn't feel comfortable to you, especially if you have studied other martial art styles in the past that have an entirely different curriculum system. Like for me, I find the round house kick in classic Goju Ryu karate incredibly hard to adjust to. It's not like your every day Taekwondo round house. It requires much more leg strength and technique. Always make sure to ask your sensei questions if you have any, and tell him where you struggle the most so that he can provide extra help in that particular area. Good luck!

Depending on what direction your supporting foot is in determines what leg muscles you are working...Both ways are worth learning. I think there shouldn't be a kick a martial artist can't perform. Meaning, a good martial artist should have absolute leg control and flexibility. I personally like throwing out a side kick with my supporting foot facing the opposite direction. It just allows you to throw out a much faster and stronger kick.

I believe stuff like levitation is just out there and silly. But it's true that the body has an aura that surrounds it. I know I am channeling into this energy (Qi) when I get right into my martial arts training. I just feel the energy flowing throughout my body. I believe that energies lead people into success and fortune as well. Why are some people so successful while others are cursed to be unsuccessful throughout their life? It's not that one is trying and the other isn't. If we could see what is actually leading us down the paths that we are destined to pursue, we would know exactly why human beings all stand at different levels of stature, success, consciousness, etc. Chrisma is a form of energy as well. What makes some people so compelling and entertaining to be around. It's the energy that they possess. I am just getting into energy medicine, and know very little about it, but this is my philosophy regarding the topic.

Hi guys. First post. My name is Aya Shindou. Three weeks ago I started taking Goju Ryu Karate lessons at a local club in my town. It's very different from what I am use to. Before starting Karate, I studied/practiced Kajukenpo Chuan Fa (Kung Fu) and Taekwondo. What's different about Goju Ryu is that it's a classical system of Martial Arts. Kajukenpo was self defense oriented, while Taekwondo was sports oriented. In Goju Ryu the techniques, (punches, kicks preferably) have to be done in a specific way. Every technique has to be perfect in stance, structure, etc. One kick that I'm having trouble with is the round house kick. It's not like a Taekwondo round house kick, or a Kung Fu round house kick where you have to put a lot of hip into it. In Goju Ryu, there are four steps to the kick, and it takes a lot of leg strength to get it high enough. What are some good leg conditioning methods that may help me build leg strength faster. I want to master this kick. Even though it's not very practical in a real fighting situation, it's still a technique that takes a lot of time to master. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!