BridgeWalley

Thank you very much for your replies! I know with myself that I am extremly eager to learn and spend alot of time practicing, doing and thinking Karate. My initial question was maybe not crystal clear but I see that I still got a couple of thoughts back that pinpointed it. I wanted to ask if it is necessary to have a skillset and experience equal to a 1st Kyu/1st Dan to get anything out of a taste in Shorin or Goju-Ryu. As some of you say, that the traditional types of Karate is very different from the style that I practice. It might then be a positive thing to get introduced at an earlier stage rather than usng 3 days getting rid of "old Shotokan habits" when visiting Okinawa. I appreciate your web page links and general advise. My preliminary conclusion is that I want to either: 1. Investigate the possibility of finding a seminar e.g that is held in Okinawa that is open for lower grade students "to get a taste of Okinawa-style Karate" 2. Follow your recommendation to find a traditional Shotokan school and hopefully find and study the original thoughts, principals and execution of the style. Do either 1. or 2. in combination with a cultural trip. I know that I will get alot out of just being there and grasp the surroundings. However I understand that training-wise I will not get much out of just a 2 week stay, but just by seing and experiencing the "real deal" will give me much joy and boost my character growth. Once again; thank you very much for your thoughts, links and recommendations! Much appreciated

Hey guys. I am wondering if any of you have any recommendations and/or thoughts on going to Okinawa to train traditional karate (e.g Shito-Ryu etc.) with the following background: I am interested in a 1 - 2 week stay, mainly to train and get inspired by the traditional styles and make them part of my skills and knowledge when I go back home. - I have only studied Shotokan Karate for 2 years, so my Kata-reportoir is limited to a selection of the Heian series, and my other knowledge (Kihon, Kumite etc.) is naturally limited to what 4 days pr week karate training gives you. I wish to travel to Okinawa when I reach my 5th kuy, so my specific question is this: Do you think it is a must to have a Shodan rank or at least 2nd or 1st Kyu to get the full experience from a stay in Okinawa, or do you think that it is ok for an eager karateka like myself to travel and train only as a 5th kyu? Appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks from Norway!