GojuRyu Bahrain

I guess a distinction in technical skills vs. attributes might make sense here. A rotational curriculum makes perfect sense for teaching attributes (coordination, distance, timing, strength etc..), but technical skills often require a hierarchical knowledge, e.g., teaching throws to people who can't break-fall doesn't make too much sense. Non-hierarchical techniques could be included into a rotational curriculum, but that might bore advanced students to some extent... (I am going through Heian Katas way too much recently ).

As Wagnerk already mentioned, the focus of any club/dojo is mostly instructor based. However, some organizations tend to a more sport (read = less self defense) oriented curriculum. In my experience, particularly the JKA teaches that way. Is Shotokan for you? You have to see for yourself; try your local club(s). Observe the class and technique/behavior of the senior students, speak with the instructor, participate... let us know what you found

Kensei, You make a very good point on the relation to Sanchin Kata (which we Goju karateka should do three times every training). However, after Sanchin we continue training on other topics (e.g., more advanced Kata and their applications) so that Sanchin gets 5-10 % training time. If one would do only Sanchin that's not enough (and nobody does this in Goju Ryu). Now, in Shotokan (even for experienced Karateka), I noticed that very often a much greater focus is put on basics (50-100% of training time for Kihon & Heian), and I think this hampers progress. As you mention, there should be enough time for the remaining Kata (and various Kumite forms). Another fact is that most of the techniques in the Heian Kata are derived from older Kata (the techniques off Heian are repeated in more advanced variations). therefore, Kanku, Bassai, Sochin etc.. include the Heian basic techniques (but more divers = more interesting)

Thank you for your replies so far! I am not arguing against practicing fundamental subjects at all, but not at the cost of progress. Perfection etc... In the 17 or so years after reaching my black belt I have learned the Goju Ryu syllabus. All the Kata, all the Kihon, most throws, chokes, and sabaki and I go through this material in ever finer iterations. And thus I get better, without arguments... But in Shotokan, why would I reiterate through the basics without ever progressing further when I haven't even learned all the Kata? When I don't even know at least one application for every move? When I don't know the Katas left - right - forward - backwards? It is counter-intuitive and - to me - seems quite afraid of moving on. In this regard envision a math class in school where they never progress from addition....no subtractions, multiplications, fractions, derivatives, integrals, vectors etc... No progress, never learning math, just getting faster at addition. Seems quite pointless. Regarding traditional Karateka.... before Funakoshi, the traditionalists didn't practice the Heian Kata at all One might argue that their tradition is older (and thus more traditional).

Why do experienced Shotokan practitioners (15 or more years experience and advanced dan grades) indulge themselves in practicing the Heian Kata so much? (they love to do that in every Shotokan dojo I know ) I don't understand it - it is simply boring...I mean, in which other style or discipline do people repeat the most basic exercises over and over? To what end? What can be learned that cannot be learned better in the more advanced Kata? Wouldn't the training time be better spent with something new?

Wasn't he the one who discovered the Hick's Boson in Kanku Sho?

My first grading took place in the late 80's and I don't remember much of it...I guess I was quite intimidated with being alone in front of a very stern looking examiner from another Dojo... But really, if you have attended classes regularly before the exam than there is not much to worry about. Do your best and you will be fine! - Good Luck

I put all of those belts on one time (for fun). They offer quite some protection....think armadillo

Goju Ryu = Sandan 2004 Shotokan = Nidan 2008 Kobudo = Shodan 2005 Arnis-Escrima = 1st Kyu 2010 Uechi Ryu = 2nd Kyu 2005 Kendo = 5th Kyu 2002 Kempo = 6th Kyu 2000 Wado-Ryu, Judo, Aikido, Brasilian Ju-Jutsu, Ving Tsun, Kickboxing = no graduation but at least 1/2 year training each. I know it looks like a mess...but Goju Ryu is my core style (continuous since 1989), all others are supplemental to that journey.

I welcome Kids from age 16. Before that, i send them away to Judo class. I believe that kids should learn how to fall, roll, wrestle, and develope socially acceptable habbits for conflict resolution. In particular, kids should NOT learn how to maim/kill their opponent, i.e. Karate. (I have taught 6-9 year old kids, and it was fun, but it wasn't Karate. It was running around punching the air, shouting and Heian Shodan)

It rather seems that people with a shorter life expectancy are predestined to be great Karatekas. Correlation does not imply causality.

I charge 1 Dinar (~2.65 U$D) per person per 1 1/2 h session. No other fees. No contracts. All that wealth goes into equipment (mats/pads etc..) and if I ever have something left there will be a big party! Sadly I've made the observation that many commercially oriented instructors eventually fight and break off with their respective organizations, co-instructors and/or heads of style. I don't want to face the situation where greed overwhelms my passion to share Karate - that's why decided to operate solely non-profit (small loss most of the time actually...).

After working on Sepai and Sesan for the past 10 years or so, I recently started revisiting Saifa in depth again. So, presently I like Saifa best

Regarding the double punch in Saifa, it serves more likely another function, e.g., the end of a move where you push down/away a shooting attacker (who is trying to tackle you). You respond by pulling your leg back and control the attacker by pushing him down. This should be practiced, but if your dojo does not even practice tackles you won't see this application, either...

Regarding Sagi Ashi Dachi in Saifa, that could be more likely viewed as Hiza Geri ( knee kick ) and should be practiced thoroughly, because it is so very useful in self defense situations.

Hi JonHunter, You raise an excellent question that is more or less valid for most Karate styles: why is there such an obvious gap between the techniques in the Kata vs. the actually practiced Kihon? Why is there so much focus on Zenkutsu Dachi & Seiken Zuki, when these make up only a small portion in the Kata (especially in Goju Ryu Kata, where Seiken Zuki is almost completely absent)? Why do so few Shotokan dojos practice throws when those are so obviously present in the Kata? Maybe one day the Karate community wakes up and starts thinking about this question....i would welcome that day!

Great post Harkon! Mastering tension and relaxation is the essential step towards mastering Karate: only a relaxed mind acts fearless, only a relaxed body moves swiftly. Everything breathes hard and soft. Wecome to Goju Ryu

Having studied Goju Ryu, Shotokan and Uechi Ryu (and graded in each), as well as trained with Wado Ryu and Goju Kai (its not really different from Goju Ryu???), I find Goju Ryu most appealing to me (personally). ITS THE BEST!

Oh shut...I'm no medical doctor, but I know that with time, patience, dedication, patience, passion for martial arts, and more patience you will be better than ever before. (maybe less athletic, but better nevertheless). Wish you a speedy recovery!

Hi Muttley, yes, I added a year of aikodo (don't even know which style it was) to my Goju Ryu Karate. I liked it a lot, it really facilitates understanding of Tai Sabaki. I also found it very beneficial for strategies against multiple opponents (I guess this could be a part of Tai Sabaki, though). And the falling and rolling is amazing.. I liked it a lot because the Aikido people I trained with were very relaxed, friendly and had no delusions that their (very beautiful) art was for fighting. We practiced for the enjoyment of harmonic movement. I later visited another Aikido dojo, apparently a completely different style with much harder techniques, which I found much less enjoyable and at the same time still much less realistic than the Karate I know. Guess it all boils down (again) to the people in the particular Dojo. Go for it and tell us what it was like!

From what I have seen, the vast majority of Shotokan Clubs teach stuff that is not applicable for self defense. (Just look at the bulk of nonsense self defense out there on youtube). The names you list are shiny exceptions in that they teach and preach realistic self defense (correct mindset, strategy, tactics for avoidance and de-escalation and then realistic distancing and applicable techniques if things get bad). Proper Karate regardless of style incorporates all distances, especially clinch and grappling range (to strike, disengage or throw from close range is included in all Kata - if you have the eyes to see and/or the Sensei to show). For more realistic weapons tactics (defense) I would recommend Silat / Arnis / Escrima that are way better suited than Shotokan. Multiple attacker scenarios are most effectively managed by Hollywood Movie-Ryu or in Fantasy Book-Do ...in real live, get a back-up team, get weapons, get out of there.

Hi DSKarate, welcome to the forum. You have an ambitious plan there, but why not? I started Goju Ryu when I was 13 and when I finally got my 3rd Dan (Sandan), I actually trained in BJJ (for half a year or so). Although I never got into cage fighting, I enjoyed all the martial arts training a lot (I am still at it years later). So in my opinion your plan is very good, even if you decide to change it later. On the other hand, if you are really interested in MMA, why don't you try it out sooner? It should be quite OK to cross train after your 1st Dan. And, besides Karate, don't forget about school, right? I don't want to sound boring, but it might be important later on. Nowadays, my job allows me to have my own Dojo, and I enjoy that a lot! Whatever you do, keep at it, and all the best.

At the moment, I prefer Hangetsu over all other Shotokan Kata, because it is the most widespread Kata throughout Karate styles. (In a previous post I compare Goju - Uechi - Shotokan - and Isshin Ryu versions: Sesan - Seisan - Hangetsu - Seishan) Hangetsu is not as beautiful as other Kata, but the Bunkai really rock.

Maybe my previous post was too long and too theoretical... Here is a simple partner exercise to learn the right stance for most Karate situations (I use this as a warm-up game every class): "Push & Pull". (Actually, it's simple standup wrestling). Two partner hold a firm Judo grip on each other. Both have the goal to control their partner's movement. Only Karate stances are allowed. Whoever moves his/her opponent to a wall wins (padded walls only!). reset and continue immediately! Start with low intensity pushing, then increase intensity, then include pushing & pulling. Experiment with Zenkutsu Dachi, Shiku Dachi/Kiba Dach, Sanchi Dachi, Neko Ashi Dachi. This exercise teaches intuitively which stance is best when, plus weak and strong angles and distances (respective to a moving partner).

Hi Newbie, Before I answer, I would like to emphasize that the stances in Karate (in combination with the final arm postures) mark only the end points of a given situation, similarly to the typical photos in Karate books. The actual Karate happens in the movement before. With this said, to your question: You are interested in the best stance for individual techniques, e.g., kick, punch or block. As you imply correctly, some stances might support a certain technique better than others. However, I would suggest to consider a wider scope: What is the best stance for which situation? Or, which forces are involved in a situation? A situation could be defined as: attack, evasion, controlling=wrestling, throw, countering a throw etc... The stance will depend on the situation and also on the distance (long range vs. short range situations). For each situation, the individual technique then depends only on the distance and the target (knee, groin, throat, kidneys...). To choose the right stance, the involved forces should be considered: - Evade an incoming force (regardless of the technique): no stance - instead, I would suggest quick and agile movement as tallgeese already mentioned. - Generate forward force: Zenkutsu Dachi! In other words, use Zenkutsu Dachi for all ranged attacks, regardless if Oi Zucki, Guyaku Zuki, Mae- or Mawashi-Geri, or pushing. - Generate sideways force, e.g., if you want to unbalance an opponent when you are already at his side or behind him: Shiko/Kiba Dachi! (that's why so many Kata show foot sweeps in Shiko/Kiba Dachi). - Lift something heavy (opponent or keg of beer): Shiko/Kiba Dachi! - Generate downward force, e.g., to control a thrown opponent: Narrow Shiko Dachi or deep Zenkutsu Dachi! - Create distance, e.g., to get out of the way and kick: Neko Ashi Dachi! - When you are close and/or neutrally balanced: Sanchi Dachi! (When you are close to an opponent you need to protect your groin, which Sanchin Dachi does splendidly). This list is far from complete; there are many specialized concepts for generating power in different styles, but I hope I could make my thoughts understandable... Also, apologies for the length of my post...its a wide topic...