username19853

Well here’s a disappointing update. LOL. Apparently I misunderstood the Sifu. He said he can only accept me as a student if I already had 2 years worth of experience in Hung Gar, specifically. I thought that was such a bummer! After looking up the next closest Hung Gar place, it’s 5 hours away! Not sure how his school works, but hey, it’s his school. I’m sure it would have been fun. I joined a Muay Thai place shortly after the OP.

I’ve been a yoga teacher for a number of years. Although I haven’t practiced either of those arts, I can say something about yoga since that’s where they come from. Yoga, of course, doesn’t give anyone mystical powers. However, I see yoga as a set of tools to help you in a number of ways. The poses: - they never change, they’re always the same. And yet, they’ll feel different every single day. Sometimes harder, sometimes easier. You’ll feel extra stiff in some places, and then a different day you’ll feel extra loose. The poses are tools for observation. What have you been doing that made you feel a certain way in this pose? How you eat, how you sleep, your stress levels, your activities, they all will have an affect on this. BREATHING. - stress can cause an elevated heart rate and oftentimes trigger an anxiety attack. If you can gain control of your breathing, you can bring your heart rate back down and get control of that stress. Easier said than done, but breathing is a tool that yoga (and I’m assuming these arts) often emphasize. The 8 Limbs of Yoga. - these are often referred to as the 8 step process to enlightenment. It includes personal and spiritual observances of yourself and others, breathing, the yoga poses, concentration, “withdrawing” your senses, meditation, and finding and maintaining a mental state of bliss. This is the “curriculum” of yoga. There are many other practices that can count as yoga, but I think what I’ve covered is the core. These practices are meant to help you live a longer, happier, healthier life with as little stress and struggle as possible. They help you to focus on what’s going to serve you, rather than staying stuck on what doesn’t. MY ANSWER. Yes! I believe that incorporating practices such as yoga, martial arts (not just the two you mentioned), and anything similar can bestow great capabilities upon the practitioners. Certainly, none of the mystical kind. But if you have a big heart, a healthy body and a clear mind, there’s no telling what you’ll be capable of.

So I actually put together my own curriculum for Shorin Ryu! I’ll share what I have so far and hope that it can be of some use to you. Although I’ve only been training Shorin Ryu for 12 years it’s consistently been a huge part of my life. White Belt: Fukyugata focus - Fukyugata 1-3, they get a green stripe after they properly test for 1 and 2. When they test with the third, they get their green belt. - knowledge of certain kihon applications are required to get to green. Fukyugata 1 is for basics and 3 is for speed/power and basics, so they’ll only need to show one bunkai for Fukyugata 2. Green Belt: Naihanchi focus - Naihanchi 1-3, they get a brown stripe after testing for 1 and another for 2. When they test and pass for 3, they get brown belt. - kihon applications and some bunkai will be required for each. Brown Belt: Pinan focus - Pinan 1-5, they get a black stripe after they test for Pinan 1 and 2, another black stripe when they test for 3, 4 and 5. - Then wait a year to test for black belt, where I’m debating on a full test of everything they learned, requiring more bunkai to be shown for each kata they’ve learned. This is to see that they’re still learning and growing as well as maintaining knowledge of what they’ve learned. AND/OR I’ll teach my next kata, Seisan, and that will be their final requirement to get their black belt. Dan Grades: - pretty standard. Must wait 2 years to test for nidan, 3 years for sandan, etc. Personally, I’ve always hated the colored belts like yellow, blue, purple, etc. so I’d like to keep white/green/brown/black. I’m thinking the testing for Kyu ranks will take place every 3-6 months. I’m also working on a kumite/bunkai system. All karate, nothing special. But in a way that I think will give “unknown movements” more practicality so students are aware of WHAT they are practicing and WHY. The focus will be on kihon for that, as I believe a solid understanding of kihon can promote a better understanding and exploration of the bunkai in kata. Definitely still a working process, but I hope this helps!

Until I can hold a low ma bo/horse stance for 30 minutes! Challenge accepted! He said this is a hung gar tradition for students to be accepted. Any tips for training to accomplish this, besides just practicing horse stance?

Just kinda feel like sharing this in case anyone can relate. I received my Shodan in Shorin Ryu and due to work, wasn’t able to train at a dojo until the beginning of 2020 when I lost my job as a yoga teacher (my classes were all during karate classes). At the beginning of 2020, I had to move and started training in Chito Ryu around the time I got back into college. I was told to learn as much of their system as I could, remaining a white belt, and eventually they’d test me on what I picked up with the possibility of jumping straight to Shodan. I thought that was cool, and I really didn’t mind being a white belt for awhile. However, as the months went by, I started learning more about the dojo I was training at... The instructors are out of shape. No big deal, as I know plenty of instructors that are out of shape but have a wealth of knowledge to share. That’s what I thought these teachers were like - and don’t get me wrong, they’re plenty knowledgeable. But they have the attitudes of an irritated child. Let me explain! 1. Initially, you think they’re just tough on you. But over the course of 8 months or so, I not once heard them encourage or congratulate one of their students. Never giving any positive feedback, only pointing out what was wrong and needed work. 2. They only have one way of teaching everything. If you can’t understand what they’re saying the first time, instead of trying to say it or teach it differently, they get frustrated and walk away. 3. They wanted to test me in kobudo, a class that’s held once a week. I was having trouble learning what I’d need to know for my test because they were always having me practice different weapons and rarely repeating what I’d be tested on - on top of the class only being once a week. When I first went to the instructors and said that I didn’t feel confident in knowing what I need for my test, they told me to act like I’m confident and then walked away. When the test came and I told them I’m not going to participate in the testing, they told me “that’s not what I wanted to hear” and then walked away. These are the main examples of many, but the ones that stood out to me. I knew I’d have to find a new dojo, so I started looking around. When I found this Isshin Ryu place, and Isshin Ryu feels somewhat awkward to me because of the difference in how they do techniques, I knew I was in a better dojo (with better teachers) at the beginning of the class. I did something wrong, but I tried and did it a little better, and the instructor said “great job!” I made the decision to stay there at that moment. And although Isshin Ryu is different, I truly enjoyed the instruction of the class, as well as the personalities of the teachers. I’m not sure if anyone can relate or has any input on my previous instructors. But I’m good at karate. I’m not the best by any means, but I know I’m not bad and I know I make kata look good. The Chito Ryu School was lacking experienced black belts, some of which were exceptional. But most of the black belts, even brown and green belts, had a hard time remembering the curriculum. No class structure. Although I was really disappointed and frustrated, I’m thankful I had this experience and I’m thankful that I had enough self respect to find a new place to train. I’m looking forward to learning Isshin Ryu!

It seems like every martial artists dream, to live and work at a dojo in Japan. I’d love to do this at a Shorin Ryu or Goju place. Although I’m sure I’d have to wait until after corona goes away (ugh), does anyone have any tips or insight on how to go about doing this? Has anyone here actually done this? Can you share your experience? Thank you!

Thank you for the response, Seamas! I’m glad that you included which one was a good addition to your karate. I recently read that Chojun Miyagi had some training in Baguazhang during his travels to China. I’m curious to know how that helped shape his Goju Ryu!

Well I e started doing a lot more kata and shadow boxing, that’s for sure. But something I never did that now do is a LOT of abdominal exercises! I was a workout junkie up until 23 or so, I’m 25 now and hate working out unless I’m doing karate - in which case I train like I’m Goku (in my head). Otherwise, I like to work on mobility and milf flexibility.

I’ve recently learned about Toguchi’s contribution, but what I’d like to learn more about are the different kumite of Goju Ryu, specifically: - Kiso Kumite - Jissen Kumite - Ippon Kumite How do they work, and what are they? Whenever I find a video of, say, kiso Kumite, I’ll see one partner drill and then multiple variations of that afterwards. Are there different levels within each kiso, jissen and ippon kumite? Or are there only the 3? Can anyone provide a link explaining them more, or even better, a video of each one? Currently reading Karate: Beaneath The Surface by Kenneth Kamen and it’s intriguing! Thank you

I honestly don’t think I can fight a trained fighter. I just don’t have it in me! But for some knuckleheads on the street, they’re probably drunk and/or stupid if they attack me, in which case I’m confident in my abilities to hit to the groin, elbows and knees, gouge the eyes, etc... if I’m ATTACKED, I’m fighting for my life because I don’t know what the other guy(s) are thinking or are capable of - and chances are, they don’t know either Again, not because I can fight. But because I actively avoid people, situations and places (to a degree) that would make me feel like I’ll need to defend myself or someone else. The fact is, to a fault, I’m more likely to defend or stick up for someone else than myself, it’s like a reflex. Without thinking, I’ve done it many times and I’ll continue to do it til I die. What I’ve learned, unfortunately, is that the people I’ll stick up for USUALLY continue to put them in situations where they could get hurt (emotionally or physically) and even if I can save them that one time, they tend not to learn their lesson. So to save MYSELF hurt, because I care, I avoid those situations. Not the situations where I can help someone, but the situations where I’ll get (seemingly) uselessly involved.

Alright, if you’ve seen the anime show Samurai Champloo, you might know what I’m talking about! I’m pretty sure this takes place in the Edo period. There’s a scene where one of the main characters, Mugen, is fighting a samurai somewhere in Japan. At one point Mugen says “I come from Ryukyu.” And then the samurai freaks out in fear. So, if this wasn’t just something in the show... Why would someone from mainland Japan be intimidated by someone from Ryukyu? What was so beastly about the islands? I know Okinawa was a part of Ryukyu, and that’s where karate came from - but that’s all I can figure. Any thoughts or ideas?

I just keep all my belts in my gym bag. White, green, brown and black. They’re all very special to me and I like seeing them ever time I put on my gi!

I always appreciate what sensei8 has to say. I’ve only actually trained in Shorin Ryu (extensively) and Chito Ryu (only about 5 months now) but I’ve been a huge fan of Goju Ryu ever since I first discovered it back when I started Shorin Ryu. To this day I wish I could find a Goju dojo near me so I can start training there! I started Shorin Ryu because I wanted to do Kyokushin but couldn’t find any dojo’s near me. I was always a big fan of their kumite because it looks like too much fun. Absolutely known as a hard style. In Shorin Ryu, we hardly do any sparring the way that Shotokan does it and no way have we even tried it the Kyokushin way. I hope someone corrects me if I’m wrong, but Goju Ryu is the “sister style” of Shorin Ryu, so they tend to be very similar in many ways, but VERY different in others. In particular, Goju utilizes the Seisan dachi while Shorin utilizes shizentai dachi (natural stance). I once heard from a former instructor that Goju takes unnatural, powerful stances and trains them until they’re natural, while Shorin Ryu takes natural stances and trains them until they’re powerful. No idea if that’s correct on the Goju side! But in general, our kumite is practiced through Yakusoku kumite, Tegumi and futari geiko. If these can be practiced using bunkai, that’s great, but that’s not always the case. I’m more or less just sharing my thoughts. I’m totally open to someone calling me out if anything I said is simply absurd. LOL

I have a friend thats desperate to retire and buy a plot of land somewhere to do something similar. She wants to have people come stay for a week and do lots of different fitness activities, yoga lessons, and various other well-being activities. It seems like the dream life!!

Sensei8, Your response is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!!

Sensei8 said it best! Anything lighter than 8oz is just too light for me, the 8 is even pushing it. Then I tried a 10oz from some random company off amazon, and the material was just terrible - restricting my movement. My Meijin tropical, which is a 12oz, is still my favorite. As I’ve stated in more than one of my previous posts

Kicking with the ball of the foot, not the top. Since I trained in Muay Thai before I came to karate, I take great pride in my round kick and the loud bang it makes on the pads and heavy bags. But I’ve always felt like my front kick is so weak and pitiful! Is this just the nature of the front kick VS the round kick? Can anyone relate? If anyone can offer tips on technique or supplementary exercises, I’d greatly appreciate it!

I’d try to open up a retreat center, somewhere tropical would be preferred. Offering karate Of course, as well as yoga and meditation. Any martial arts instructors or yoga teachers could offer retreats or trainings as well, but I’d have a separate area for them to use, a “guest dojo” if you will. While having my own dojo that’s open full time. The only struggle would be maintaining students, as I’m sure the focus would fall on guests coming for retreats. So somewhere tropical, yes, but probably not off the grid.

https://www.amazon.com/VAlinks-Resistance-Taekwondo-Basketball-Volleyball/dp/B0894SRJDZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=boxing+resistance+training+bands&qid=1596723412&sprefix=boxing+res&sr=8-5 I’m well aware that it’s not traditional, and old fashioned hard work is best. But I still think this would be fun to use when I’m at home. I’m wondering if the resistance bands would even work when punching from the arm being chambered on the hip (shotokan style hikite). Any thoughts? Would you use this? Any routines you can share that you’d use this for?

I saw on a different post, different website; Someone said to mix kosher salt in warm water and rub it on your knuckles before and after makiwara training. Can anyone confirm this and why??

Yeah I’ve been hitting my makiwara for a few months now using a leather pad. Just a few days ago, I finally bought some Jute rope to wrap around it. I found it much easier to strike, Even feels better - although my knuckles got slightly cut up just yesterday! They’re very minor, and I can’t even tell they’re there unless I literally look at it but I’m sure they could become much worse if I keep punching. As for the heavy bag - it’s just not as satisfying! I go to a boxing gym 3x a week and although I can beat the heavy bag much harder and longer than the makiwara, the makiwara has its place in my heart. Just like karate has its place in my heart far beyond boxing ever will. Wish I could could say the same for jump rope but... I keep hearing about the hemp rope. I’ll give that a try next!

I don’t remember if I answered this or not, but here’s an update: Pinan Shodan Pinan Yondan Pinan Godan Naihanchi Shodan Naihanchi Sandan

I’ve been using a leather pad that slips comfortably on top. Currently considering getting some rope to change things up. What do you think? What do you use for padding your makiwara? What do you prefer?

Thank you everyone for your responses! As P.A.L. Said, I’m starting to zero in on just a few kata to rely on for self defense. Mainly Naihanchi Shodan, Pinan Yondan and Gekisai (originally Fukyugata Ni but I like Gekisai better). Otherwise, most of my bunkai practice is in kihon. Using Chudan Uke and shuto Uke to practice for defense against punches and following up with something appropriate. Using Jodan Uke as a forearm strike to the throat or face for example. Much more. So my idea is using these kihon to drill my initial reactions to attacks, and drilling parts of my kata as what follows next. Of course, it’s not always necessary and kata is all I need. But I’m sure my plan will change after a month or so to focus on something else thanks again!

Short post! Now obviously I didn’t know the guy! But I felt like he was underrepresented, at least in his personality. I still think Brandon Lee did it best in Dragon, but I’m curious to here some thoughts!