Karate_John

Work 9-5, No kids or anything. But the Dojo is only open twice a week. I attend both the children and adult classes as an instructor/student for 6 hours total of floor time. I hit the gym or practice at least an hour everyday that there is no class, practice on my lunch break sometimes. and randomly work on something throughout the day... until someone notices My weekend is break time so usually just a walk, or light kata practice.

My condolences. I know the feeling all to well. I had an older Sensei pass away last year, was a very humble old man, war vet... and had amazing stories from his youth, which I'm one of the few who will ever know, not even his family knows some I do. I gave him rides to and from the club, and a few other places when he asked. So we got to have many candid conversations about the martial arts, my club, and style. I could ask him anything rank meant nothing... I was told to "drop" the formalities when it was just us. He gave advice, always offered to pay for gear and things (which I never allowed), and overall was a huge supporter of my training. It's a shame he never got to see me make black-belt, But when I do... I'll always remember he was a big part of it. But I must say I miss the candid conversations. So yes, You never know if there will be a tomorrow... But both instructors and students touch and change each others lives everyday. The Dojo and club is like a second family. as you said take care and live life like there might not be a tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing, He's a very impressive Karateka.

For the Chief Instructor (CI): How many CI's meet and greet their students and visitors before and/or after each class with a smile and a hand shake?? Is that important to you, the CI?? Not the CI, But My CI will meet and greet students and visitors, provided he is not preoccupied, or working with a student. he does not teach in the kids program so usually is not in attendance yet at the start. Do you, the CI, insist OR encourage your assistant instructors to meet and greet, either at the door or on the floor before and/or after classes? The only rule is on the floor, You must bow and greet any "black belts" you pass in-front of who are not actively teaching. For the Assistant Instructor: Does your CI require you to meet and greet? Require, No. Does your CI conduct training on how this should be conducted? Nope. Just use basic common courtesy. Does your CI discipline or counsel you if the meet and greet isn't provided as required? Not required, so no. For the Student: Does the CI meet and greet you? Generally yes. Does any Assistant Instructor meet and greet you? generally yes as well. Is this important to you? To a point... I like the feeling of being acknowledged. For the Visitor: Does the CI and/or any Assistant Instructor meet and greet you at anytime while you're visiting? Yea, when I visited our hombu dojo with my instructor, The organizational head, and his assistants came over and greeted me. Does this matter to you? again I like the feeling of being acknowledged, and it tells you something of the character of the instructors.

First, Welcome to Karate Fourms Now, as for the question. My opinion is there is nothing wrong with seeking knowledge from sources outside of what your instructor teaches. Books and video are excellent sources for inspiration for strategy and tactics that will work for you. But keep in mind what you see and read are not necessarily going to be the same if you instructor later covers the material. Always attend class with you mind open for changes.

I felt the same way when I got my Brown belt... it basically made me a senior student. It really made me want a black belt, more then anything else. I trained more, pushed myself harder, attended some hombu dojo classes, all for that black belt. However I'm now coming to the end of that long road, which is a few short months away... if all goes well. I mean it's a very very real possibility for me now, more then a when then an if. But oddly I came to the realization about that black belt.. It's not an end it's really just a turn in that road. I no longer desire a black belt the same way I did... no my motivation is now knowledge, and to refine my abilities to become the best karateka I can. regardless of the outcome, I just love the art now

Congratulations!

Solid post!! Rushing students to add to the senior grade numbers seems to me that quality will suffer for the sake of quantity!! I agree whole hearty with you both, but fear not! The club itself is a branch of a larger organization, and is ran as a non-profit out of a high school, with a small adult class student body. so you get a lot of individual attention. I've been told our chapter, unlike the hombu dojo, et. al. does not usually use the last two kyu's. and the black belt test is usually 2-3 years after receiving brown belt (3ed kyu). I'm currently in my second year as a brown belt. My feeling in the promotions are a bit political in nature, so we are not completely out ranked by our peers at the hombu dojo. us brown belt level students were given permission to join the black belt class at the hombu dojo, along with our active black belt student for supplemental training. (sadly it is a trip to attend) It was a bit nerve wrecking the first time, being the only few brown belt's in attendance, But on the plus side I do know how we stand-up to the shodans from other schools in our system.

Thanks all Yea it was a surprise... And there is already talk about the black belt exam before years end, It's going to be a busy few months of practice.

So last night, was the last day of our summer program. a once a week meetup to practice with just the upper colored belts. (unless invited) After class ended, and everyone was about to walk off, One of our instructors said wait! under the direction of our program head, and had everyone line back up. Our program head at this point stepped forward, and said something along the lines of although my training partner is not here today. He does not want to wait till normal classes resume. And I was promoted on the spot to 1st kyu!! (partner is as well) The scary part now is the realization that there are no more steps to climb, only a door that needs to be opened. Opened to a new beginning.

Hope this helps some, As far as I know. Ushiro geri would be a Back kick, spinning usually as your opponent is in front most of the time. But it is launched with your back facing your opponent like a mule would kick. Ushiro mawashi geri on the other hand, would be a reverse spinning roundhouse kick with the back of the heel connecting with the opponent. not straight back like Ushiro geri.

How often do you practice Tensho? Every time I practice What is the intent behind this Kata? I think the intent is to teach breath control, flowing movements, and Rotational Motion. Are there Bunkai associated to the moves? Yes, for sure. The most basic example is the opening eye rake and chop to the temple. Do you practice the Bunkai? Yes, an interpretation is part of our single steps (ippons) How does Tensho fit into the Goju Ryu curriculum? (What makes it similar to other Goju Kata, what makes it different?) Hmm, never really thought about it but here is what i'm thinking. I was always told it's the soft of Goju ryu while Sanchin is the hard. I feel Sanchin is more linear while Tensho is Circular. They both seem to focus on breath control, but engage muscle differently. Sanchin more power, while Tensho being more of a snap.

my organization is a offshoot of USA Goju. Per our history we had students train Goju-Kai as well in the past to bring it closer in line with Goju-Kai. and our Junior and Adult curriculum is the same. If i'm correct our Taikyoku Ich's are based on USA Goju's versions, and Taikyoku Ni's are basically the same as the videos Nidan Melbourne posted. The curriculum is currently changing a bit as they add new Kata, but this is what I currently need to know at my dojo. Kata for each rank: White - Taikyoku's Jodan, Chudan, Gedan, and Kake Uke (all have Ich and Ni versions) Green - Taikyoku Mawashi Ich & Ni, Sanchin Ich (Miyagi), Gekesai Ich & Ni Purple - Sanchin ni (Higashionna), Tensho, and Saifa Brown - Seiyunchin & Sanseru Shodan-Ho - Seisan Shodan - Shisochin above Shodan: Tenchi Seipai Kururunfa Suparinpai Genkaku The new Katas are mostly organization specific, most are above Shodan.

Honestly it really depends on the organization. But generally the rank of Sandan is the expected minimum rank to be able to promote students in kyu ranks. Shodan's & Nidan's usually can instruct, but bring in senor ranks during testing. With that said if your Sensei supports you, there is really no problem.

This is all debatable of course, but in my own research, I'm not sure why karateka say Yamaguchi Sensei was named the successor... per Seikichi Toguchi there was no named successor. Meitoku Yagi was elected successor and "Chairman" of the Gojuryu Advancement Society and supposedly Gogen Yamaguchi was training under him at points after Goju kai was created. imo History is a fickle thing, we'll never really know. I agree with Nidan Melbourne there was no real major split between the two, but smaller organizations off the main branches generally practice more then the core 12. and there is always differences between all organizations, particularly on the USA east coast as many are based off of USA Goju which has influences from Richard Kim and Masutatsu Oyama. Are you Goju-Kai Nidan Melbourne? For some reason I was thinking you were Okinawan Goju-Ryu.

Goju here, But here is what I know: Taikyoku Jodan ichi & ni, Chudan ichi & ni, Gedan ichi & ni, Kake Uke ichi & ni, Mawashi Uke ichi & ni Kongo ichi, ni Gekisai ichi, ni, & san Sanchin ichi, ni, & san Tensho Saifa Sanseru Seiyunchin (about 1/2 )

Here is a very simple run down: Karate belt ranks are broken down into a ranking system based off Go, a very old board game. The founder of Judo, Kano Jigoro, started using the Dan ranking system from the game to rank practitioners. in the very early 1900 every martial art in Japan basically was using the Dan and Kyu ranking system. Today anyone who holds a Kyu rank is a under belt, anyone who holds a Dan is a black belt. So generally speaking anyone who is a 10th Kyu is a white belt and anyone who is a 1st Kyu is brown belt, A 1st Dan would be the lowest black belt and 10th Dan the highest. Hope that helps

I haven't heard of the term ether, But Have seen a test done in parts over a few days for a Kyu rank in a rough spot. Kind of like you said Kihon and Kata on one day and Kumite the other.

Oh, that's normal? I thought I was a bit weird - I've been training for a year and I still feel nervous when going to class. It's always different, so you never know what's coming! I'd say it's very normal, I've been training for around 4 years with my current club, and I am also an instructor for the kids class. Yet... I still get em for every class

I never put much thought into this, My original Gi came from the club. My current Gi and gear I got myself, but not from the same store. The only comment I got was a quick pause in the class and my Shihan saying "Nice Gi" (Meijin Tropical) lol It seems in club at least as long as you don't use the same suppler they don't care, guess they get a small kickback for selling... but we are a non-profit anyway.

simply put most practitioners of martial arts are male, like contact sports it sadly considered part of the male domain... I honesty wish more women and girls would take an interest, as they would benefit. Personally in my Goju dojo our kids program only has about 3 girls out of around 30 kids. The adult program has 3 active female practitioners as well. From observation some of the main problems seem to be: 1. Some girls and women are put off with working with guys. 2. Some are afraid or just dislike contact, hitting or being hit. 3. Teasing/Peer Pressure as it's not considered a girl thing.

I have a Meijin myself, I use the 10oz for regular training days. I think you will like the Meijin Pro.

Thanks everyone for your insight's. I would have to say I whole hearty agree that In no way would I ever dream to replace what my Shihan teaches me. there is too many years worth of experience he has to offer, and nothing beats first hand experience and practice. @tallgeese & wagnerk Thanks, I'll check them out.

Hey Guys, Anyone know of any good books (or videos) on sparring theory? This is just for breadth outside my system. It's strictly for the knowledge as I'm interested to see what others think, plus my library can use more material

Yea I feel that's a bit young. In my organization at least, 36 would be the youngest possible age for 5th Dan due to time in rank requirements if you received your Shodan-Ho at age 18. IMO any faster then that sounds like belt factory.