Isshin-Vegg

I've never studied TKD, but when I was younger (even though I'm 16) I was one of those people who would bash TKD just because it wasn't karate. But I have come to realize TKD and how effective it is, and I don't know how people can bash TKD on the YouTube videos because the more I watch them the more I gain respect for the style. I mean I know this isn't the best way to gain a respect for a style, but most of respect I've gained through TKD fighters is through MMA. I see TKD black belts to be very effective in a cage, like Anthony Pettis and last TUF season's Chris Cope are both pretty good fighters. I think TKD deserves more credit too because their inventiveness with kicks are amazing, they have high speed and power, and I watched this video where 4 styles through kicks at a bag (even though the karate one through a dumb front kick -.-) and the TKD won by a landslide with a round kick, which I find to similar to Karate's. I don't know if this helped, but as Einstein said "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

Well Puma in my opinion it's uniqueness comes from the fact that we use the vertical punches and block in almost the same manner too. Even though this isn't really uniqueness it's made from a combonation of two traditional okinawan styles, Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu. You get a combonation of the two that Master Shimabuku made to cover their weaknesses that he saw, and it has kobudo too so it has the weapons to make a full and complete form of fighting (other than the fact of ground game, but we have used the clinch too). That's the basic run down other than the fact the at the beginning of our katas we step out to the right versus others which I believe step to the left (this was to show the difference from other styles). And most practioners spell it Isshinryu with the ryu attached. And BDPulver as a non-member of the OIKKA do you not follow Master Angi Uezu as the top-sensei?

Thanks for all of the posts guys it's been a while since I've checked in, but I got the answers I thought I would. I was wondering though if I thought Isshinryu was this way because my sensei used to be a wrestler and is a naturally strong guy, but now I see it's mostly true in other's eyes too. He does always preach be hard where you need it and soft where you need it too. He often uses the analogy of the big football linebacker holding a baby (hits hard on the field, but soft with the baby). Mike, I will surely take time to answer your question. First of all know I started training when I was 6 so I could learn self-defense, and now I am 16 with a 1st degree black belt (out of 10). That being said I have grown to appreciate Isshinryu in its entirety. I like Isshinryu because it teaches defense over attack, and I find it to be a well-rounded counter-striking system (look at UFC fighters like GSP and Lyoto Machida). Most of what you learn is how to counter certain moves or strikes. Karate has also allowed me to think and learn in ways most nonmartialist can't, so when you begin to train you'll find you'll probably to think in a different way and see things in a different light. I think you'll find every penny you spend on Isshinryu with be welllllllll worth it. Finally, it's also cool to be able to tell other people my body is seen as a deadly weapon in a court of law. Hope you begin to learn Isshinryu soon and if you begin to take lessons please post a topic of your progress I'd like to follow you on your journey.

Well, yeah Goju Ryu and Shorin Ryu are the style Isshinryu were made from as the founder (Tatsuo Shimabuku) was a high ranking black belt in both forms. I find it funny that you say it's not popular in America, which I agree it isn't, but among most places it's most popular in the US.

Okay, so when I think of other styles I have a general conception of the way one would fight. For example, I imagine a Kyoshukin person using strong kicks and hits in general, and I imagine a Shotokan person using low stances and using strong moves too, and a person from something like Wado-Ryu using faster paced attacks with a stance to favor that style and such. Also, though it's not karate, you expect a BJJ person or one of grappling influence to take it to the ground. My real question is, is there a general conception of Isshinryu, or is it a mixed style, or is it not known enough, or is it just another karate style to you guys? (I'm mainly asking about power and stances and fighting expectencies not really the fact that we punch with a vertical fist and such.) As a 1st Dan I have my own ideals, but I want to know one from the outside looking in. Also, if a person from a style not metioned wants to know the same things about their style post the question and we'll get a lot of general conceptions out. Thanks for reading this long post and replying. -Andy

I am a black belt in Isshinryu and I feel like I should know this, but why do some people spell our style Isshinryu vs. Isshin-Ryu? Is it a difference in following master Angi Uezu vs. not? Or is it just "tomato vs. tomahto" (how people say them lol) where it's one's personal preference?

I kind of agree moriniuk, besides the age limit at my school, I believe when your sensei feels that you show the technique because it has been drilled into your head by repetition and time that maybe even only 6 months will be good enough. I mean as long as you can perform all of the kata and kumite at what looks and is a BB level and when you spar or do anything off that manner with the technique that was taught to you since your first lesson then... well you should be a BB. I wasn't able to test for my BB until I was 15 so I had 9 years of training so I don't know how it is to join and be able to test in 3 or 4 years, but that's my opinion. In my school from when you first receive your brown belt I believe it does take people about 1 year until they can test with the whole process from white taking about 3.5-4.5 years depending on how often you train.

Alright thanks ps1. I might look into later this summer after vacations and stuff. Also if you were to buy a dvd or book on BJJ which would you go for?

Jon Fitch is my favorite UFC fighter. He is 26-3-1-1(the second one is a no contest before his UFC career). Anyways my question to you guys is; Is Jon Fitch's Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu any different from BJJ, and is the Gracie who teaches Jake Shields and the Diaz's any different? Or are they the same, or even just the same but adapted for MMA?

Thanks everyone. Especially brickshooter and tsd because you guys explained his TKD background and more insight into Sliva's background and type/why his kick differed from karate kicks. So overall very little impact for karate unless people think it's karate and join for that reason haha. cool Also I can't believe how many replies this got. I expected like 3 in total. Again haha

Yeah, I know the man who owns the ROC stuff. His dojo is in Smyrna which isn't too far, but is a blue belt high in BJJ? because in Isshinryu it's not to high of a rank. But I don't know BJJ standards are, and how high of a rank you have to be to teach.

"I am nice man with happy feelings all of the time." Yes! In the words of Charlie Sheen that quote is "winning!"

I didn't take the time to read all of the other's response's, but please note back when Karate styles were being developed on Okinawa most of the kicking techniques that Karate styles began doing were all from southeast asia. Therefore in kicking both styles are the same so that's why it depends on the person. Also, Muay Thai focuses on kickboxing, while karate will teach you techniques and apply them through kata and kumite. Sparring will happen too but as far as I know I think all Muay Thai does is kickboxing, so if they're fighting one who is not a black belt or a higher rank they may have a better chance at first with Muay Thai because they just train in fighting!

Okay, so as you can see by my styles to the left you can see I only have done karate training. I would like to do Judo or BJJ to add to as a ground and takedown base as Isshinryu is mainly striking. I'm not sure which to do so I would like everyone's opinion on that (being in Delaware I can't find any Judo school's in Kent County on the internet so I think it might not be an option). Also, if I am to join a school what should I look for in an instructor because it seems to me BJJ is very competitive and all of these people have said they've trained this person and that person, so what? Finally, how much do the average classes cost per year, and does it really usually take people 10 years to earn a BJJ black belt? Thanks for your time!

I hope your name is a reference to Kung Pow. I love that movie with every part of my body. And though I do not do BJJ I thought that was cool and funny.