Chunmonchek

I usually don't last more than 15-20 seconds with these types of videos...but I watched this one to the end. A very fine display of martial athleticism.

My youngest loves that movie...but then, we are a bit biased, as a dojo brother wrote the screenplay.

Mr. O, Are you sure that Goju was the first? Would you consider Higaonna Kanryo's Naha-te, Juhatsu Kyoda's Toon Ryu, or the Nakaima family's Ryuei Ryu as training internal arts? What's your Okinawa Goju lineage? Mine is Shoreikan/Toguchi, though my teacher resigned from that organization in 1973. Best, Chris

I'm happy that you feel so strongly about your training....however, "never" and "anything" are 2 very absolute words. After 40 years of time in, I would now never make such a statement. I agree that Karate can be a way of life, however, Karate is not life. FP, My apologies if I appeared harsh. When I was single and younger, martial arts training was high on my list of priorities. As I got older, married and had kids, and my responsibilities increased, my time on the floor decreased. My love of the arts did not lessen at all. In fact, the lessons that I learned on the dojo floor helped me be a better husband, father and person. If you train correctly, have the right instructors and keep things in perspective, your training will become part of almost everything you do. You and It will be inseparable. Now I understand that training does not occur solely on the dojo floor. Now I understand that proper martial arts training teaches much more than how to fight. It takes more than four walls and a roof to make a dojo, and that it takes more than a tight fist to correctly practice the arts. Make the world your Dojo! Best, Chris

I'm happy that you feel so strongly about your training....however, "never" and "anything" are 2 very absolute words. After 40 years of time in, I would now never make such a statement. I agree that Karate can be a way of life, however, Karate is not life.

Miyagi Chojun Sendai, the founder of Okinawan Goju Karate-do said: "Family first, Then Work/School, Then Karate" Wise and timeless thoughts, IMHO (and I say this as one who at one four year stretch of time concurrently training under 3 different instructors, training 7 days a week, 3-7 hours a day, on a regular basis...and who has traveled with my teacher to teach our branch dojo, often 3-4 times a year, logging in over 40 hours a week on the dojo floor) Chris

During the 12 years that I leased 2,500 square foot of commercial space to run my part-time dojo, there were more than a few years that I paid thousands to teach. Training under my teacher, rates ran from $3 per class to $5 per class. I've spent thousands and thousands traveling to train with others, including to Okinawa, travelling with my teacher to branch dojos in Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Canada and in the USA to teach (many years 2-4 trips a year). That said, the $ means little if you can find a great teacher that you resonate with, that is willing to teach you his art without reservation. I was charging my students $65/month back in 1990, with no fees for grading, or special classes, etc. I'm now up to $85/month. There are dojos charging in excess of $300/month or more in my area.

When I began full time training with my present Okinawa Goju Sensei back in the mid-80's, I was already a shodan in another Okinawa Goju lineage. I asked him if I could wear a white belt. He said no. From my perspective I wanted to begin at ground zero and was afraid that he and other seniors would assume certain knowledge, resulting in gaps in my training. From his perspective, by putting on a blackbelt, I would be forced to "rise to the occasion".

I doubt its just a European thing. I've seen wanna-be's from the USA, Canada, the Carribean, the UK, and even from Asia. It seems to be human nature at work. A friend and very Senior American Goju practioner once told me that the biggest mistake that the Americans/Euorpeans did was to treat the Okinawan Sensei as demi-gods. Pretty soon many of these Okinawans became to expect this...hey they're only human. This gave the Okinawan Sensei a great amount of power over their students and student's students. Power corrupts...and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This friend began training Goju in Okinawa back in 1961, and saw this evolving early on; and my teacher lived it in the late 60's early 70's. Many non-asians figured out the game, and broke away forming their own Ryu or Kan, and then crowning themselves with extravagent titles. If you take a step back and look at things objectively, many martial arts organizations look and smell like huge pyramid schemes, with money flowing to the top. That said, I see no wrong with the structure if quality instruction, knowledge and art flows back down. Many who lack real skill, knowledge, lineage, and relationships need to use the "smoke and mirrors" of titles, hierarchy and the untouchable/unapproachable master in order to protect their rice bowl.

Rank serves some legitimate purposes. In a large organization Rank helps with organization administration, as well as to encourage those beginners who are encouraged by external recognition of accomplishment. In a perfect world, its a personal matter between teacher and student, no more, no less. Anymore, Rank is rank...

Martial Artists are just people, no matter what they strap around their waist or what title they assume. Generally, it has been my experience that those Sensei that are insecure about their ability, knowledge, lineage/history, and/or experience are the most egotistical, nasty, unapproachable and aloof. Instead of trashing anyone, I'll share some of my positive experiences... ...I've had the priviledge of training with Sensei Matsumura Yoichiro and Sensei Ogasawara Norimi and several occasions, 2 very high ranking Judo (as well as karate) Sensei. They both were very hands on, and were willing to teach anyone willing to learn. They both sat on my grading board for my Shodan examination. I will never forget seeing them after my grading sitting on a swing-set outside, just hanging out with each other (they were co-captains of their University Judo team in Japan). ...Back in the early 90's I had the opportunity to train at the Kodokan in Okinawa with Sensei Matayoshi Shinpo. He was very gracious, and spent some time with me after each class going over kobudo and Goju. We went out to eat a few times, and had one of his senior students pick me up from, and drop me off to, my hotel. ...On that same trip I trained at the Meibukan with Sensei Yagi Meitatsu, who was also very gracious. We spent time on the floor after class, at his home and at various restaurants. I went to Oki with no plans or arrangements. I just showed up on the Island with my gi and a letter of introduction from a good friend and Senior who trained at both the Meibukan and the Kodokan back in the mid 70's. The owner of the hotel called Sensei Yagi, who, within an hour, came by to meet me. He read my letter of introduction, then immediately took me to visit Sensei Matayoshi. I never saw what was in that letter! As a side note, the late Dai Sensei Yagi Meitoku customarily taught the childrens class in his later years. After those classes he would often give out cookies to the kids. ...my teacher, Kow Loon (Kayo) Ong, is one of the most knowledgeable and best Okinawan Goju practitioners and Sensei that I've ever met (and I've met and trained with more than a few). Kayo teaches anyone, of any age and of any ability. He's done this all over the world. All he asks is that you train and not forget what he teaches you. Funny thing is...I've seen people who have trained under the above gentlemen who are less willing to help others than them. Chris

What's a "martial art"? What's a "fighting system"? What's a "fighting art"?

Work your stretching with range of motion and strength at extended ranges in mind. Focusing solely on range is a mistake.

While I don't know very much about JusticeZero's art, there's some wisdom in his post. From a Goju perspective, I agree with much of what he posted. Regarding the Okinawan Goju front kick, there are IMHO some misunderstandings being propagated by many Goju Sensei. First, a front kick may be Kekomi or Keage, regardless of whether the striking area is the heel, the ball of the foot or the toes. The use of a thrust or snap is determined by the intent of the kick and how the kick is generated. We train both a front thrust kick as well as a front snap kick, both with the heel. Most, if not all, first generation Okinawan Goju practitioners only used the heel or toe as the striking area. The ball of the foot was adopted for competition in Japan, where tournament/shiai was vastly more common and popular. It gave 2-3 inches of reach which was important for those purposes. As an aside, originally Okinawan Goju generally did not include mawashi geri. Another thing that is misunderstood. Generally, kicking with the ball of the foot is anatomically and structureally less sound than the heel. Put another way, every time you add a joint in the line of the weapon, you weaken it. If you kick with the heel, there is no way for the ankle joint to collapse under impact. If you kick with the ball of the foot, there is. Chamber for the front kick may vary depending on close v. long range. Generally the higher the chamber, the higher the kick. That said, there are many arts that do not use a strict/tucked chamber for front kick...mostly longer range arts. Close range arts...Goju, Wing Chun, etc. tend to chamber by bringing the kicking knee high and tucked to the solar plexus area. When we deliver the kick, there is a slight sink/dropping of the tanden and very subtle hip roll, at or upon impact. This kick is designed to be in range at arm's length, as are many Southern CMAs. And like the Bencao, we sometimes use low line attacks to create range or collapse a joint, rather than in a percussive manner. Just my opinions, Chris

Maybe, but maybe not. Most of us, when young, think they've "learned" something, but really haven't. With age, hopefully comes the wisdom to understand that being able to physically mimic something or do something, may not really mean you "learned" it and "know" it. In other words, with age (physical and time in the arts) your expectations change. The older I get, the more I realize how little I "knew" when I was young in the arts. In fact, there's not a training session that goes by that I don't work on some kihon, stance or basic level kata. Someday, maybe I'll get it. Chris

Hello, I just registered, and thought I should introduce myself. I've been training Martial Arts for about 40 years, primarily Goju Ryu of some sort. While most of my training is in Okinawan Goju Ryu (started in 1980) and Matayoshi Kobudo, since starting in Nisei Goju, I've dabbled in a bunch of stuff along the way...Ju Jitsu, Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Yang Style Tai Chi, Pekiti Tersia, Wing Chun, Thai Kick Boxing, wrestled a bit, western style boxing, and judo. Now I practice and teach Okinawan Goju and Kobudo. Chris

Okinawan Goju and Matayoshi Kobudo

I don't believe every encounter requires you to walk away. That's just not realistic. To say so is idealistic. Every situation is different, and you have to deal with them on an individual basis. The real issue is how you walk away if you do. Frankly, only you will know, after some truthful soul searching. And if you conclude that you walked away due to fear or anxiety, than deal with it. It's a learning experience that you can only benefit from only if you admit to and work through the issues. I've seen individuals walk away out of fear, only to convince themselves that the next time, they would fight. Not good, as there is no one-size-fits-all response. If you confront your anxiety and learn from the experience, you will be better off should there be further like confrontations. Just my .02. Chris, Not-a-Master