cheesefrysamurai

i sometimes leave class with my pants but i would never wear my gi outside the dojo. There is no valid reason to. (IMO)

I have a ronin competition gi which i really like

I heard these are great http://www.fenomkimonos.com/

Great congrats

I understand prices go up. I would never question him on value nor do I want to. I just wish i had more then 2 75 minute sessions 2 times a week. I would rather pay what I pay and be happy as I am then go somewhere else and be flooded with classes that I may not care for

Judging by what people are paying, I feel like Im paying quite a bit. I can't see leaving over 10, 15 or even 20 dollars a month. I hate that class is only offered 2 times a week. I feel for 135 / month, there should be more going on. He also charged a registration fee and promotion fees. (neither of which i have had any prior experience with) I am happy there though. Its a little painfull doling out that 135 but i would never try to express that I question the value of his instruction

Yeeesh, I was hoping there would be lots of options. Those high dollar systems are great for larger commercial schools but for smaller schools, its simply not possible.

Definitely a "feel good" act. Could bolster positivity

I know he wants to keep track of attendance, pay history, rank, lessons, and contact info. thanks

If ANYONE outthere hasn't seen both Ipman movies with Donnie Yen, they are phenominal. In one - the Japanese (karatekas) were the enemy and in the other the westerners were the enemy. I love good (and sometimes not so good) MA movies

As far as I know, the karate system i train has takedowns, not really throws but honestly I don't know the entire curriculum. We cross train in Judo. It meshes very well with the goju.

I dont know how everyone else feels but i am a HUGE fan of the shaw brothers movies and the definitely gave me the MA bug as a kid. I still like them.

Thank you Sensei Straightblast for making me a master of the art of cringing

First of all SOLID SUBJECT. I would not consider China the source of Japanese karate. Without question Okinawan systems are heavily influenced by people traveling. Its evident in many aspects.

So Sensei wants to step into the new century and get a computer for keeping track of attendance and other info. Can anyone recommend a decent software package. Price is an issue, we are a small dojo and he is not interested in a big investment. Thanks

Congratulations Sounds like a great opportunity. Well worth the sacrifice. Keep us updated.

I wouldn't want it any other way. It makes the journey one I'm happy to be on and looking forward to the road ahead.

I feel that way. I leave class happy, I'm happy with my instructor, he's well qualified and down to earth. I feel the judo and goju complement each other well.

I agree 1000 percent. We do more self defense then anything. If there was no self defense, I wouldn't be there I think the main thing to consider is whether or not you want to learn a particular system, or if you want to become proficient at self-defense. I like to think the two should be one in the same, but this is not always the case. But if the system is your goal, then its a good goal, and I say go for it. But I would like for my system to provide what I need in self-defense, so I look for that where I can, along with the other aspects.

I'm very curious about what the pros might say. As far as I know, character is an important part of rank. I am surprised that he got as far as he did. Its unbecoming of rank to be a class clown. Has he been addressed? Does his mother laugh when he disrupts class?

I agree, effective strike. Its pretty quick to whip out. It doesnt telegraph that much. Its not exactly the strike someone might expect.

I agree with that too. My sensei also believes this. I have often heard "not every technique works for everyone but you have to know it so you could teach it" Honestly, I am trying to empty my cup, I am trying to learn the system. I know from my previous training that there are going to be some techniques that favor my strengths, and there are going to be some techniques that are near impossible to pull off. Regarding kata, I am just trying to become proficient in the system and grow. I am confident that without a good grasp on kata, I will not progess in the system.

Also I love the portability of traditional arts. I know everyones teaching my vary slightly, but i really like the idea that i could walk into many goju schools and it will be very close to the same.

I can't deny your logic. I certainly don't think kata is the end all be all. Its part of a curriculum. All I'm trying to say is that if one day I want to earn my shodan in goju, I have to learn it. - No way around it. I cannot begin to try to reinterpret a system to my own preference. I SURELY do not have the skill or knowledge. So far it feels kata is more a moving meditation for me. Its feels like a moment where everything stops and my concentration is focused on proper form, breathing, the snap my gi makes when i strike, kiais, and It does not replace drills or sparring. I think drills and sparring are far more important to real fighting skills but my goal isn't about the quickest way become battle ready. What i meant before is, regardless of system of karate, If you are picking and choosing what techniques to study, you are not learning the complete art. I guess i could eliminate what i feel is worthless or redundant but then it would not be Chojun Miiyagis Goju (or close to it), It would be cheesefrysamurai karatedo. Many of you are far more skilled then I am and can do this. I can not. I agree. Over time as the system gets canonized, it becomes tradition. Necessary for what? For learning the art of Shotokan - absolutely necessary, for learning to protect your life . . . not so much. I beg to differ on this. By "just doing the Kata" you have a point, but looking into the bunkai of the Kata then, in my view you are wrong. Wasn't it Master Itosu who said in his first precept: "Karate is not merely practiced for your own benefit; it can be used to protect one’s family or master. It is not intended to be used against a single assailant but instead as a way of avoiding injury by using the hands and feet should one by any chance be confronted by a villain or ruffian." Baring in mind his belief in Kata, is this not still true? One man's precept. And not the first, and definitely not the last to be made by any individual. Funakoshi had a book of 20 of them, I believe. Some I agree with, and some I don't. Some are taken too literally, in my opinion. The thing to keep in mind about "tradition" is that it is something that is established over time through repetition. Its really nothing more. Some people are more willing to attach importance to some and not to others. I think its also important to notice that just because a tradition has been established over time, doesn't mean that something better can't come along and replace it.

How much and what Jujutsu did you study? I studied Jujutsu for 3-4 years. I see you describe the styles you train as Goju-ryu Karate and Jujutsu. It was reasonably traditional. Japanese names for everything except strikes. Our complete curriculum contained all the judo throws. There were boxing elements added in and the end of every class ended in grappling or self defense. The reason I ask is that most jujutsu schools practice Ukemi as a norm. We did ukemi every class. Standard drills (junbi) are also quite common. We basically had rows of 3 rolling across the floor, then turn around and roll back. We did this for the front and back breakfalls too with the side to side, the whole class did it at one time This should stand you in good stead for training Aikido. You seem keen to avoid some of the processes. Can I ask why? I am not looking to avoid. I think hard work is essential. To me, it makes the rank meaningful. I guess then its not unlike what I have done, without striking, I guess like bjj, when you focus on one thing you get good at it. I just had a hard time imagining the flow of a class. I always admired Aikidoka. I am hoping one day to try it. Right now I am training Goju and Judo. The Goju is traditional Okinawan.