Hi all! First off, I have some informal martial training. My dad trained in various styles and then taught me growing up. He didn't teach me really advanced things (advanced throws, or joint locks, or anything like that), but he taught me what he used as a bouncer and police officer. However, I now have the ability to formally train...but theres a problem. I'm a little skeptical. A friend of mine has a black belt in Shorinryu karate and showed me his dojo just the other day. I like his sensei. He is very nice and didn't have a problem correcting students when they were not doing something right or when he felt they could be doing better. I like that. My biggest qualm about the dojo is I'm afraid its too traditional, and they are using techniques that are slightly outdated. I'm talking mostly about blocking with the forearm, which definitely hurts after sometime. My girlfriend is currently a 2nd degree blackbelt in Isshinryu karate(I don't want to go to her dojo and feel like I'm impeding, long story), and she didn't seem to be against the school, but she mentioned that Isshinryu was created because Tatsuo Shimabuku found faults in Shorinryu and Gojuryu karate. I could go on, and on, but thats the gist of it. Can a school be too traditional and could that be a bad thing? I'm not sure, because I could always adapt the style to what I see as more practical, right? Thanks!
