GojuRyu Bahrain

If de-escalation doesn't work, Law Enforcement People should use either "Judo" like restraining techniques, or stop a conflict with superior numbers/weapons. There is no reason at all for them to engage in a fist fight, break someones knee or stomp a head (which would be Karate)... ...respect for the car-less lifestyle! I guess it keeps you fit!

Sounds very, very good. Kudos!

The technique is Fumi Komi (stomping), not Kansetsu Geri. It's probably used for situations with unknown number of attackers when you can't let them get up again? There is always the option to steal the downed persons purse and run away instead (That was a joke). If the threat is removed, escape! However, we should keep in mind that in the "western" world the self defense aspect of MA is largely academic. I don't know anybody who has used Karate for self defense in a situation that couldn't have been de-escalated or avoided otherwise. Law enforcement persons excluded, but they shouldn't use karate for their job anyway. Statistically (for preventable injuries/deaths), self defense starts with: (1) driving safely (-22 to -50% injuries/deaths from car accidents), (2) judo breakfalls (-20 to -25% injuries/deaths from falling), (3) good housekeeping (-6 to -10% injuries/deaths from poisoning), (4) no firearms (-5 to -9% injuries/deaths). (5) think before doing something stupid (-18 to - 25%) Sources: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/ and http://www.cdc.gov/injury/ Conclusion: I do Karate for fun, fitness, and to vent excess energy. I try to keep it practical and applicable for a worst case scenario, but at the same time I am sure I will not use for self defense. Thus I can include head stomps in my training.

We practice 24 throws (nage waza) as fixed part of our curriculum. These trows are an integral part of belt tests and resemble judo throws, albeit with a 'bit more Karate' added. Obviously there are many more in the Kata, which have to be discovered and practiced as well. Here is a video of the first 12 recorded from my German Honbu Dojo:

If I go to train somewhere, I want to train at a relevant level. If I'm told to wear a white belt, I expect to be treated as white belt and learn things like Oi Zuki and Age Uke, which is a waste of my and the instructors time. (I can workout more efficiently in the hotel gym, without renting a car, driving for an hour etc..) If I wear a white belt and am treated as a black belt, I can wear my black belt as well. If I come with a white belt but expect to be treated as a black belt I'm a hypocrite. If I want to humiliate myself I wear a pink belt.

At the moment, I'm training 2 to 4 times a week plus about every day just the odd 10 idle minutes between things. I teach once or twice a week, and am definitely counting it as a learning experience. Some years ago I realized that teaching is needed to continue developing my Karate; and still there has been no class that I feel I learned less than my students. There was a time once when I didn't train for over a month - I had two broken ribs - that time made me really grumpy...guess I need Karate as a relieve valve for excess energy or so... Another period in my life I trained 6 times per week 3 hours each, plus 1 hour on the seventh day...oh was I fit then...after six months little injuries started to accumulate, it was too much...helped me digesting certain things, though

Cheesfrysamurai and andym, thanks for your understanding. Now the opportunity has passed (I came back without training in that place) I feel a bit sad about it... Also, I am not really the Michael Jordan of Goju Ryu (not even in my dreams ) just an average guy who spent some years practicing. My sensei once mentioned that Karate is a road and some have traveled it a bit longer, but that doesn't make them better... Anyway, I thought about the visitor belt: I'm sure in Amerido-te it is pink!

Thank you Bassaigyu and others for your comments! I found the blog (here is the link: http://www.ikigaiway.com/?s=seisan). Thanks, it is fantastic! Its much wider scoped than my tiny project; very interesting to me. Also, the Kata is performed by real masters of the various styles, so that the differences are better pronounced. I have to re-read it over the next weeks! Does anyone have a good explanation for the double open handed action (after the first turn, repeated 3 times in every version of the Kata)? It seems very much infight to me, with the following sequence showing various endings. I'll try to post on it later....

Sesan Kata is certainly one of the older Katas because it exists in one form or another in most modern styles of Karate. I've been working on Sesan (from my Goju Ryu perspective) for a while now, and with the time accumulated some of the versions practiced in other styles (Uechi Ryu, Shotokan, and lately Isshin Ryu). Here is a link to all four versions that have been video-edited for synchronization: Although there are major differences, particularly between the Shorei and Shorin versions (and of course the Uechi Ryu version contains lots of the usual Bushiken etc..) there is still a lot of common ground. I hope for two benefits from this exercise: (1) This comparison may help finding more fundamental principles of this Kata independent of today's versions. Something like the common-ancestor-Bunkai (2) The differences clearly show that - as much as we want to believe in ancient traditions - Karate and Kata have not been static at all. There were lots of modifications to this kata, left-right reversed, whole sections left out, other techniques introduced..

Hello Takeru, Should you stay? That depends totally on why you practice Karate. There are many valid reasons, e.g. self defense, exercise, to be cool (nowadays Karate isn't cool anymore, though), for fun, to meet that girl/boy etc... If you feel good about it and get what you want, its probably the right thing for you. If you have doubts, visit other Dojos and see what else is out there. Then revise your decision. Best of luck and keep training - no matter what and where!

Thanks for your replies! I suspected the issue to be controversial because to be honest, I was a bit surprised about my reaction as well.... Thought it wouldn't matter, because I wore a white belt so many times when visiting other martial arts. But it does in my own style. In my own tiny Dojo I welcome all martial artists with whatever they come with. The more versatile the mix - the better for all of us. We are respectful, courteous, and polite when we hit each other. We laugh and joke, too, because we enjoy what we do. Here is more food for thought: In the prelude to that situation, if I had humbly suggested to wear a white belt, would they have humbly allowed my real belt? And what would that mean about my humility? Also, hypothetically, what would happen if - lets speculate wildly - Mr. Higaonna visited in the same manner? Ask him about a white belt, too? What applies to one should apply to all? Or where are the separating lines?

Agreed. Step 1 is helpful for getting the kick powerful (initially). In sparring, step 1 will be omitted or hidden (Sports-Fans: through hopping back and forth; Non-Sport-Fans: through kisami technique). Oshiro Geri is more of a follow up technique in a combination as opposed to the one and only technique for me... (I'll never be that fast).

Just saw your update. Thumbs up and a nice grading!

Ushiro Geri: Step 1: slide front foot sideways so that its on one line with the rear foot. Step 2: hip rotation until in Zenkutsu Dachi facing 180° away from the target. Step 3: push off the new "front" foot and kick with that heel of that foot like a mule. Don't bother to look, you will hit the target. Do this step by step a couple of times (slowly against a target). Correct the distance so that you do not fully straighten your leg on impact. Then do it in one motion. Watch the Target take off and fly to the opposite Dojo wall . Hope this post comes in time and good luck with the grading.

(DISCLAIMER: Long introduction warning) I have a long standing habit of visiting martial arts clubs wherever I travel, and met a lot of nice, and some really interesting people that way. Additionally, I have always tried to cross-train in as many martial arts as my time permitted. During single day visits and 4 year stays, always, have I been received friendly, invited to train (sometimes along with the class and on lucky occasions in curious and open-minded exchange with the instructor and few senior students after class). In my introduction to a new club (I try to write an email in advance) I tell a little about my background and interests. Never was my belt an issue: Visiting any Karate school I wore my black belt until I graduated in this school (I was graded to black and brown belt in other Karate styles). Visiting another martial art, I would always wear white unless asked otherwise, until I graded to another rank (Kobudo: Black; Escrima: brown; Kendo: Green; Kempo : Orange; Judo, Aikido + White ). It was never a question.....Uff, long introduction...... Recently, I contacted another Goju Ryu school and they invited me to train with them - if I would wear a white belt. Now I should explain that my main style is Goju Ryu (since the beginning in 1989), I've practiced continuously. My bunkais work. So, I tied this white belt around my waist, looked at myself in the mirror, and took it off. I am not going to visit this club. In any other martial art, absolutely. In my own style - no. Not for anybody. Not in Goju Ryu! Finally, back to my original question: Have I become an arrogant jerk? I hope not, but I'd like our thoughts and comments.

Even though in past times the concept of clan was dominant (I live in a tribal society of the middle east and can relate to the influence the greater family can exert very well), it was common to get married and move into separate quarters (albeit maybe under the same roof). But anyway, the analogy goes only that far. In actual Karate (especially in the Okinawan times) it was common to go and cross-train under a different master, often encourage by one's teacher. The old Okinawan Karate-Ka traveled over to China for learning, returned as new Expert and modified their curriculum happily, adding kata, changing them etc..

Wow, this is an extensive discussion with many good points for and against Kata made. I think Kata are essential to Karate, and here is why: Without doubt, Karate techniques and strategies have to be learned and refined with a partner. The drills can come from a qualified instructor without ever referencing Kata to the students. Modern fighting arts without Kata are abundant and arguably faster to learn to an effective level (for fighting) compared to Karate (fighting and self defense are different things, though, but that's a different topic). The question is: Will they last? How are these drills recorded? As has been pointed out here before, modern forms of recording are available today: Books, videos, podcasts etc.., but I doubt these forms will outlive their inventor in the long run. The drills will change from instructor to instructor until the original concept is no longer contained. On the other hand, during my travels abroad I have met people from a different lineage (We all did Goju Ryu, but lineages had branched off back in Okinawa times, as far as we could trace it, without interactions between each other). Both lineages encourage individual study, development, and practice of practical Bunkai (practical for civilian self defense scenarios) based on the Kata. We trained well together and began exchanging our favorite Bunkais. Of course there were little and large differences in the performance of the Kata, BUT the amazing thing was that we had (independently) found the same core strategies and very similar applications (i.e. the exact same locks, hidden throws etc..) despite the fact that our lineages had split about 8 decades ago. To me, this shows how extremely well Katas codify and preserve self defense strategies and techniques, provided someone puts in the effort to disassemble and analyze them. Although Karate without Kata seems easily conceivable (for a few decades), Kata is the DNA of Karate: An excellent medium for storing fundamental combat strategy over long periods of time, tested and refined, to give future Karate generations the same chance, joy and task in studying it. Even if one or two generations of "Master Teachers" have omitted applications completely (like in modern Shotokan) the original core concepts are still available and ready to be revived. I think that is pretty cool!

People of all styles, not only Goju Ryu, branch off into different Dojos, then sub styles, then their own organizations (in no particular sequence and to various extents). This seems to be very much the norm and always has been, as far as I can hear and read, in China, Okinawa, Japan, and the rest of the world, too. I guess it's a normal step for growing up in a martial art, like growing up in real life: it would be odd (under normal circumstances) to stay with ones parents and never, ever start to have an independent life, start a new family etc... So to me it is normal that when someone becomes mature enough in their style that they include their own personality, priorities, and do their own thing to some extent. That should not mean that mutual respect is lost. Like in a family, there should be pride, trust, and respect shared mutually among teachers and "grown up" martial artists who go their own way. And I guess like in any family there are black sheep and odd cousins and the inevitable family reunions with much joy and the occasional nuclear explosion (emotionally spoken). I just wish there were more visits between dojos... and I mean mature martial artists visiting each other with an open mind and mutual respect to exchange their insights; instead of coming to a dojo for teaching or being taught and get all stubborn about silly little differences that are actually not so important in the big picture of their respective style(s). Conclusion: Is one organization better than the other? Depends on the individual teacher (the one accessible to you, not the organization's head), how much they know, how much they teach (might be different from what they know), the interactions with other organizations, how they treat their students, and lastly, if they can let you grow up one day to be a mature martial artist yourself.

Hi everyone, Nice forum, after reading so much it is time to introduce myself properly: Name is Hendrik, I have been practicing Goju Ryu Karate (Yuishinkan Lineage via Fritz Noepel, Head of Goju Ryu Germany, via Tomaharu Kisaki, Osaka) continuously since 1989, first in Germany (san Dan), then in the Middle East where I live and work. Besides Goju Ryu, I have been practicing Uechi Ryu (Brown belt), Shotokan (second Dan) and Kobudo (first Dan), among others (BJJ, Aikido, Kendo, Judo, Kickboxing, Ving Tsun, etc.. but nothing more than a year besides my regular Karate training). Problem is I'm not very talented so that I have to practice a lot . My favorite thing in Karate is practical Bunkai, which is also what I focus on in my small Dojo in Bahrain. Apart from that, I try to visit Dojos wherever I travel, and was lucky to meet many nice Karate-people from various styles/lineages/schools. So, I hope to read more interesting posts and contribute one or two useful things, hopefully!

Yes, it s a nice kata. The applications are fun - too. Lots and lots of wrestling in there! Goju Ryu's own rear naked choke (with the escape move as special bonus shown right in the next technique!).

I have learned a very much related form in Kobudo, where the whole kata (very similar to Kanaku Sho) is performed with two jifa (okinawan wooden hairpins). These jifa look like tiny tonfa held one in each fist so that two ends protrude out on the thumb and little finger sides and the third end peeks out between index and middle finger. All three ends are pointed (sharp!). Holding a jifa makes the punches much more effective (Key in fist - principle). The Uchi Uke pull-back motion after the punch then becomes a ripping motion (with the pin sticking out on the thumb side of our fist) to attack the inner side of the attackers arm. (Thats where some main arteries are ) The jifa also makes the remaining moves in the kata (a lot) more effective because with a jifa, those moves always rip open the attackers arms. I know its a freak explanation - but hey! Another, more serious way of looking at this technique is from the Goju Ryu / Uechi Ryu perspective, where several Kata show exactly this punch block, also repeated three times at the beginning of the form (i.e. Sesan, Seishan, Sanserui, Suparimpai, Shisochin and Sanchin, albeit sometimes performed slowly and always in Sanchin Dachi). One explanation (that I don't like very much) is a simultaneous punch vs punch-block scenario. Hoowever, I see this move as a return to a very chinese gamei position that is fundamental to Uechi Ryu and its white crane and feeding crane ancestors. After all, why would one let the arms linger around with an extended (vulnerable) elbow joint? Get it back - keep it safe!

First of all, I m still new in the forum, so "Hi" everyone! Its a nice forum and I hope to learn and contribute something meaningful (sometimes at least). Regarding the topic of blocks, infinitehand asked "What happens when you combine it with stepping or shifting." Thats a really good question. Lets look at Kata (the time vault of Karate techniques and, more important, of combat strategy). In most Kata of all the styles I know, "blocks" are combined with stepping forward. That is a clue. A clue of the ancient chinese/okinawese masters directly through time and space for us to see. A clue written in bold red letters, written at least in 72 pt. font size for the blind and deaf.... These "blocks" are no blocks. No sane person moves forward with a block.....and then turns away or completes the Kata. We don't see it in Kumite, or boxing, or anywhere else. Because it doesn't work. Of course, there is the first hand, the flinch motion, that does the initial redirection of the incoming force. Then, the second "main" hand/arm (the official "block" pose shown in all those kata books) disbalances, controls or strikes. It could be a choke, or throw, too. Now, we have something that makes sense: (1) A natural flinch motion (motions towards the center of the body are always faster than outward motions: try it!) continued in one fluid motion with (2) the second arm (and body) that prevents further attacks through advantage of position or by damaging the attacker. Examples: Sepai (Goju Ryu) That weird benzoku dachi uchi - age uke position just before the 270 degree turn in the middle of the kata. Well right, age uke while stepping forward and twisting yourself with the butt towards the attacker (**utter nonsense warning at this point**). If one performs a standard judo hip throw without partner -funny enough- it looks exactly the same: forward step into benzoku dachi, hands up to grab the opponent and all, including the 270 turn (the hip throw), at the end. Age Uke vs Hip Throw 0 : 1. Examples: Heian Shodan (Shotokan). Stepping forward (3 times!) with Age Uke. Weird? Yes. If you took somebody small (more likely to be attacked in real life situation) and condition them to deflect (dodge?) an initial grab (a probable attack against a smaller person) and then run forward (screaming madly) into a larger attacker while pushing forward and continuously smashing their forearms upward into the attackers throat...It is a scary sight...A very similar thing happens at the end of Heian Nidan, too, and in Jion, and Wankan, and so on.... Age Uke vs. Throat Smashing (Haiwan Uchi) 0 : 1 Examples: Wado Ryu. Approximately everthing Iain Abernethy has posted in the web. Iain gives a thoughtful explanation for Shuto Uke as well - highly recommended!

Hi Cheesef! (I m new to the forums, so here in short: Goju ryu since 1989 continuously = 3rd dan, Shotokan since 2005 =2nd dan, Kobudo 2004-2005 =1st dan, Uechi Ryu 2005 =2nd brown) About Saifa: Beginner kata that introduces to dealing with close range attacks, grabs, tackles, bear hug etc.. let someone grab your wrist (one hand left-left, left-right, two handed etc...) and do the first sequence of the kata. Experiment with the distance between attacker and you, the angle between you and him, and see what you feel: is it easy to break free? Do you achieve a wrist lock? How does the attacker react? If he moves downward-forward, why not hit him hard with otoshi empi (elbow from above to the back of the neck) or with a back fist to the face? Second sequence : what happens if you are being wrestled down and you twist and move forward like in the kata: You can knee him where it hurts... Then press his head down and knee that one, too. Could that work, if you move exactly like the kata shows? The kata also shows that you can use the knee or the shin or the foot, depending on the distance, doesn't it? try what happens (carefully!). Third sequence: Imagine somebody trying to "shoot" you, i.e. tackle you and grab both your legs. If you don't knee his face, "spread", i.e. move the front leg back and attack the exposed head with a hammerfist (or two?) to the temple. For good measure, twist the head until it comes off while doing mawate (rotate 180 degree)...careful-most people need their head the next day... you get the idea, imagine realistic, close quarter scenarios and try, but try carefully, and stick to the exact motions in the kata. +++ Disclaimer: Take care, this things do work and are very dangerous +++ Practice with extreme caution and under supervision of a qualified instructor +++