Master Jules

Ill try to go with some advice that I base on "real life", not just sparring scenarios at the dojo. Most people generally consider me somewhat of a "big guy"....Im 6'1", 205 lbs, with very little body fat......HOWEVER.....as a bouncer, Im NOT considered a big guy at all ( some of these guys are built like houses.....ya know 6'5 300+ lbs).....when I "fool around" with them after work (theyre always asking me to teach them stuff)......I find that the bigger guys usually move a little slower.......I wait for them to throw a punch, and kinda "zip in, strike, and zip out" kinda thing......If you can get inside their "reach", you can jam them up......just dont let them grab you unless you really know how to grapple....... As far as your "big guy" at the dojo.......the fact that he is a newbiew and has little control.....well.....try to use that to your advantage.....if your gonna get hit.....and it seems like he likes to hit, or at least cant control his contact.....take it........remember....youre still in a "controlled" environment.......get used to what its like to be hit.....that way.....if it happens in "real life".....at least youre "used to it" and it wont shock you.......plus....itll toughen you up a bit....also.....sparring against a "newbie" keeps you on your toes, so to speak, cause you have no friggin clue whats comin next.......they probably dont either......anyway...........good luck !!!! PS.....btw......KEEP YOUR HANDS UP AT ALL TIMES......his size is obviously his advantage.......study him.....find his weaknesses.....everyone has 'em......so observe him.....learn his weaknesses......and then exploit them to the fullest......again......GOOD LUCK !!!

LMAO !!!!.......WW.....good post.....hahahahaha.......yes......as we all know.....there are many " hidden bunkai" applications in Ballet........in fact way to many to list here.......Ballet is definetely one of the deadliest arts, and truly one of the most complete....... All kidin' aside though.....Ill have to go with Shorin ryuu here......most Okinawan arts in general are extremely well rounded....but again.....it seems as if weve been through this type of thread before.......so.........whatever.....lol.... Sorry.......havent had my coffee yet and Im still a bit punchy.......

Shawn.....you pretty much have the sequence ok.....but what is your question about the kata ? Just to add....Goju Chad was incorrect in saying that the "Goju Kai is the leading authority of all Goju ryu".......The Goju Kai is the organization which represents Japanese Goju Ryu, created by Gogen Yamaguchi, NOT Okinawan Goju Ryu. Gekisai Dai Ichi is the 2nd in the family of 5 "Geki" kata, which include : Basic Form #1 Gekisai Dai Ichi Gekisai Dai Ni Gekisai Dai San Geki Ha There are also some very suptle differences in the performance of the katas, depending on which of the major Okinawan "Kans" is performing the kata. None of the Gekisai katas are considered to be "black belt" katas. They are not even "Koryo", or "ancient" katas.....those start at Saifa, the first of the "koryo" katas. As with all kata, the goal is to learn all the aspects of it, and to perform it and understand it to the best of your ability. It is expected that a yellow belt, for example, be able to perform this kata and "understand" this kata as a yellow belt should....It is also expected that a 1st dan should be able to perform it a lot "better", and have a much deeper level of understanding of it, and so on...... Miyagi created the Gekisai katas (which mean "To Wage War"), so that he could "bridge the gap" between the "basic", and the more advanced techniques found within the "Koryo" katas. Each Gekisai kata builds on the one preceding it, and the practicioner can be brought back to the techniques found within these Geki kata when learning the more advanced kata. Some kata also have a connection....for example : saiFA and kururunFA......both have to do with seizing and grabing or.... seyunCHIN and shisoCHIN there are common "threads" that are found within the system of Goju ryu that tie it together from even the traditional warm-up to the basic techniques......all the way up to the advanced katas and techniques.

Thanks for the tip......gonna be a busy day for me today, but I will get to it ASAP.....promise

Sorry to disagree with you, but I started in Kyokushin in 1973, so Im speaking from empiracal knowledge here.......KYOKUSHIN karate is to "rigid".....other forms arent, such as Goju Ryu.

No problem.....you had the right idea.....good post.

Exactly my point Nick

Nah.....old comp......no worries bro...... Ill try to get back to this post later today and go through it again.

I just sat here for a half an hour detailing every move of Gekisai Dai Ichi........my comp froze and the post didnt go through........arggggggg !!!!!!!

While your intentions are obviously to HELP your child (which is a good thing), practicing the wrong techniques, or the right ones incorrectly will only set his/her training back......try to arrainge a private lesson with the instructor so you can get a "hands on" feel for whats going on in the class....then you will be properly equiped to provide the help that will benefit your childs progress.

There is a big difference between "fighting good" and being a "good fighter". One can be learned, and one you are just born with.

I believe all martial arts by definition have elements of self defense......however......not all martial artists train for that purpose......some train for the physical workout, some for the spiritual aspects........while there are different reasons an individual may personally have for training......I think all martial arts have some type of self defense applications to them.

Now that is one heck of a good post !!!! When I wrote my post, I was a lil tired, and didnt feel like going into detail to the lengths that you did, but your history is correct.....My post was an extremely shortened version, missing many of the points that you addressed due to my being tired and lazy at the time I wrote it. Good job Shorin Ryuu !!!!

Congratulations !!!!!!!! I would like to add a recognition : My gf, who will be joining the forum shortly took her yellow belt test this past weekend, and passed, earning the rank of 7th Ho.... Again ......CONGRATS TO ALL !!!!!!! Keep it up.....you guys are "the next wave" !!!! Let us know how we can help you rise through the ranks.

Ryu means "school, style, or tradition" Do means "way" Kara, and Te, originally meant China, and Hand. After the Japanese invaded Okinawa in the mid 1600's, they changed the meaning of the Kanji to "empty", thereby changing the meaning of Kara-Te from "China Hand" to "empty hand" GoJu means "hard-soft" However, it is not "all hard", or "all soft" Goju is the art of being hard and soft AT THE SAME TIME.....That is why its such a difficult art

If you look at the White Crane form, you will see elements of EVERY Goju Ryu Kata.......it is a very effective style.....as far as sparring goes.....depends on the dojo......usually, Okinawan Karate uses the two-man forms in place of sparring, or patterned "punch-block" drills.....the highest level of which is known as "Jisin", where it is NOT predescribed, and the attacker goes for whatever he wants (head, chest, or down"), and the defender has to block (or get tagged).....In some older photos I have of some of the more traditional training halls in Okinawa, the background does show some pretty beat up sparring gear, so its safe to assume that aside from the two man forms that accompany the katas, and the punch block drills, the did do free sparring as well.

Karategurl......Ive been in Goju for a very long time......One of the beauties of the style is that it is very "complete"....Im not sure what level youve achieved, but Goju is most definetely an "in close" art.....there are elements of shaolin chin na (seizing and grabbing) techniques, which are extremely similar to JuJitsu, again, an art Ive been studying for a very long time......You may find that the similarities between the systems make it easier for you to "pick up" whats going on in JuJitsu......I see on your side bio that you study JuJitsu.....is that current, or just what you badlle in, or what you want to get into ?........BTW.....Im down in NY.....if you ever wanna take a road trip.....Id be more than happy to accomodate you, and show you some techniques about Goju that you might find very interesting. In any case.....lemme know how I can help....and feel free to contact me privately if youd like.....Lata KG

I began teaching students in my home many years ago, after receiving my shodan. As far as actually opening up a "formal" dojo, when I received my sensei title, I went out, found a location on top of a pizza restaraunt, rented it, advertised, and away we go so to speak.......I incorporated the name of the business, and purchased an insurance policy, and made all students sign a waiver stating that they were aware of the inherent possibilities of injury due to the contact involved with martial art training......biggest rule of going into business......CYA (cover your you-know-what)......you MUST incorporate so you cannot be held personnally liable for any debts the business can possibly accumulate...... Just a suggestion......when going into business....remember....now youre gonna have 2 sets of bills.....rent and all the stuff you pay where you LIVE.....and the same for where you work.......If youre just starting out, and dont have a "following" of students that are going to help you with the bills, you may wanna consider trying to rent some space at a church, for example, or even rent space on an "off night" at a pre-existing dojo. Talk to anyone and everyone youve ever had a conversation about training with and put out "feelers" to see if in fact you will be able to attract students, or you will be stuck with a bunch of bills and no students to help pay them....... Take a good look at things financially speaking first....heres some help : Lets say you find a spot to open a dojo....Ill give you some ballpark numbers to think about.... Rent: 800 Phone: 50 Con Ed: 100 Advertise: 100 Bare bones minimum, youre lookin at easily $1000 a month in those expenses alone. Now.....whats the space like ?......Do you need to do any construction ? IE....build an office ?....Locker rooms for men and women ? Dont forget that your gonna need signs for the windows and/or the door. Now lets talk about equiptment.... Are you gonna need to carpet the floor ?.....will you need extra padding under the carpet ? How about training mats ? Heavy bags ? Makiwari posts or wall pads ? If your system calls for one, will you need to construct a shrine ? Will you need a computer and office supplies ? How about patches with the school or system logo ? Will you have T-shirts ? You will need to open a corporate account with a martial arts supply company, and to do that you need a tax ID number, so for that, you MUST incorporate, and theres a fee for that as well. And, as White Tiger mentioned....what are your credentials for teaching ? Ive owned a dojo, and as anyone who has or does, can tell you.......its not an easy undertaking. Feel free to contact me and Ill be more than happy to discuss this at length with you. Best of luck !

LOL.......Love the siggy Sandhoppa

Thats a very good point WW.......we share the same opinion on this one.

Dedication is one thing....and admirable at that.....but when your dedication creates a health problem for someone else.....thats just plain old inconsiderate......either wear a surgical mask and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before getting on the mat.....or just stay home and train by yourself at home.....

Make Sangria

As far as food goes Sandhoppa....the general rule is...."dont go full...but dont go empty"......stay properly hydrated as well. You must also remember, as was stated before, that a new excercise routine, especially if you begin at a relatively low fitness level, can be very "taxing" on the body, and the mind as well. It is not an "excuse" to have to "ease into it".....Biting off more than you can chew so to speak isnt the best way to approach fitness of any kind. The body has to have a starting point. Once you establish your "baseline" fitness level, attempt to make your progress in very small increments. By using this method, your body will make its progress in the proper manner. It does no good for anyone to workout to the extent that they are crippled for the following three days. As your fitness level increases, your recovery time will decrease accordingly. At the beginning, dont expect to do all that much.....go as long as you can, so that you will need say....one to two days of recovery time....if that means that you can go for an hour....great....if it means you can only go for a half hour, or even 15 minutes....fine...whatever...so be it.......after you "recover"....try to make 20 minutes for your next workout......shoot for small steps of progress....that way your body can acclimate, or "get used to" whats going on.....before you know it, youll be doing the whole class, coming in early, staying late, and training every day......Im sure you can eat a two pound steak.......just not in one big bite, right ?........same applies here......little by little bro......youll get there......I give you my personal guarentee on that........NOW DROP AND GIMME 50 !!!!!!!! LOL....just kidding....lets start with 5.........GOOD LUCK.......and remember.....were all wishing you well......especially me

Actually, yes......the karate kid movie was based on Goju Ryu.....The Crane stance the Danielsan performs, however, is a horrible version of what it looks like.......and as Shorin ryuu said.....a true Okinawan would never kick to the face......

Yes.....the head of my AikiJuJitsu organization, The Katsugo Ryu system, Grandmaster Joseph Torres of NYC has been training for 55 years. He is a bonafide, legitimate 10th Dan, and is truly one of the most highly skilled individuals I have ever trained with, or seen in general. He is a member of the world Soke federation. He is in his early 60's, and is still VERY much physically fit, and more than capable of performing his art at astonishing levels of skill. He is a close personal friend of mine, as well as one of my teachers. I have also had the pleasure of working with Professor Wally Jay many times, and even at the age of 80 years old, he was still very "capable". He has held the rank of 10th Dan for several years, and I think its safe to say that the entire martial art world recognizes the legitimacy of his rank and skill. While I do not "know" him personally as I do Grandmaster Torres, I have trained with him, and he really is amazing.