Master Jules

SWDW...... That is an extremely astute assessment. Goju is a very complex art, and has many "hidden" things going on at one time. For example, as you mentioned, the middle block. The concept of "block short, strike long", and block long, strike short". Both hands move in the middle block, as they both have purpose (many actually)....since you never really stand "square" to an opponent, is it the forward hand that blocks, or is it the rear hand that blocks ???....It can be both.....one hand can parry, while the other is doing the block, but it can also be a strike, or a "standing grappling move". This also hjolds true for the mawashi uke (circular block), which is done at the end of many kata. This block is actually showing you a blocking "path", wherein there are MANY blocks. The hand is pulled back at a 90* angle when performing this block, and again, the concept of "block long strike short or block short, strike long" is going on. For example, the hand which appears to not be doing the block can be doing a parry, and the hand which appears to be doing the block can be used to hook behind the opponents head and force him down. Then again, the hand which appears to be doing the circular movement may be the block, and the other hand my be performing a shuto to the opponents temple. While this might be a bit difficult to visualize in a written explanation, it is a very effective technique. Many people are familiar with the Mawashi Uke (circular block) which ends many of the kata. What many people dont know is that when the hands "press" foward at the end, that is actually a throw. The gripping that is done and shown by the fingers is a display of the shaolin chin na aspect of the art. It is showing a palm strike, followed by a grab, and the actual ripping off of flesh of the opponent. It was said that Miyagi trained for this by hanging a side of beef, and his grip strength was so legendary, that he was actually said to be able to tear off chunks of meat with his bare hands, something I certainly wouldnt want to be on the receiving end of.

The Goju Ryu blocking methods are designed to bring the opponent CLOSER to you, because Goju is really a grappling art. The Goju blocks are circular in nature, and facilitate the usage of the elements of Chin Na (seizing and grabbing), and chi sao (sticky hands) found in the system. Yes, Goju is certainly a "striking" art, but the blocks themselves are designed to not only deal with an incoming technique, but to put you in a more advantageous position to strike. There are also 3 "levels" of defense, so to speak. The first is the basic "block with one hand, then strike with the other".......The second is "block with one hand, then strike with the same hand", and the third is "block with one hand, and simultaneously strike with the other".....thats the "block-strike" part of the system. The grappling aspect comes from the usage of the "Ju" or "soft" part of the system. Being circular in nature, the idea behind the Goju block is to "meet" the incoming technique, "blend" with it (or "stick" to it), and then trap and control. The best example of this is the open handed middle block. Many of the Goju kata bunkai (applications) involve grappling, which leads to locks, breaks, and throws. As far as the issue of forearms and conditioning.....Goju Ryu uses a training procedure known as Kotei Kitae, or forearm banging, which develops the bones of the forearms to such an extent, that a block really is a strike to the incoming limb (good example here is the opening movement of Sepai kata. As you step back with the left leg in shiko dachi (sumo stance), the right forearm sweeps down like the wing of the crane, etc......Yes, its a block, but with proper forearm conditioning, its a strike as well.

Goju Ryu is inherently a Buddhist art. In fact, if you examine ALL of the Goju Ryu kata, you will find that each and every one of them begins with a block, or defensive movement of some kind.

Kids are kids......the most important thing to remember when teaching them, is that they are not "small adults".....they are KIDS.......keep everything as fun as possible......reward them with praise as much as possible......try to keep their interest with "cool" stuff......kids dont have the attention span and patience of adults......its up to you as the instructor to make them "want" to be there.

I started when I was 7, waaaaaay back in 1973, after seeing Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon"......I came home from the movie theater with my dad, immediately packed the laundry bag with pillows, and started beating it and kicking it (and making Bruce Lee noises) LOL.......mom thought it would be a good idea to get my into a program, so I started at a local Kyokushin school, and the rest as the say is history... Sensei Laurie......I noticed that youre in NY.....whereabouts ? Im in westchester, about 30 minutes north of NYC.

I have to respectfully disagree. I think that in the case of martial artists, its not a question of having a big ego, but rather the development of self confidence. Its not about having people being "scared" of you. Progressing through the ranks, a student grows in many ways. Self confidence is generally one of them. There is a big difference between being self confident, and being "cocky". "Cocky" is usually perceived in a negative way, while self confidence is an admired trait.

Egos are everywhere, in every field of endeavor. In the physical realm though, a big ego is easily dismissed when the ability to "do", and depth of knowledge arent actually there. This certainly holds true in the realm of the martial art world. The longer one trains, the more one realizes how much MORE there is to learn, and while you might not be a "beginner" anymore......you'll always have "a long way to go"........so just get on the mat and train.....and forget about having an ego.

I have trained with Professor Jay at his seminars for the past several years, going back to 1996, and even at his age of 80, he is unbelievable....the system is very very effective.

Its the same question again and again...."whats better ?" As said before....it depends on the practicioner and his/her training ethic......comparatively speaking, Goju Ryu is more well rounded than TKD.

........even funnier is how the Chinese woman leaves.....the next morning.....LOL

I though it was something like that.....Shihan has been around for a LONG time......he really knows his stuff. I would have loved to have been able to go to that seminar. Good luck on your tests.

Thanks for the info........gotta brush up on my lineages.

I think it was "Rosenberry", and I believe he was under the Shobukan.

Caddy : " I think its gonna break to the left " Happy : " No....thats just cause you only have one shoe"

Yes.....its actually two different organizations though. The Shoreikan was founded by Seikichi Toguchi, and the Shobukan was founded by Masanobu Shinjo. Both are extremely top notch as far as Goju Ryu instruction goes.

It is a style.....I teach it.....Its called CQB....close quarter battle....and yes, its VERY effective.

Why be afraid to die ????......Its unavoidable......the more important question should be.... ARE YOU AFRAID TO LIVE ??????? Live each day like its your last.......dance like nobody's watchin'.....and sing like you do in the shower.....

Nextel

"Kan" means house.....Shoto was Funikoshi's pen name....when he opened the dojo in Japan, he called the training hall "Shotokan", meaning, house of Shoto.

I grew up fighting in the local tournaments . Never a "ring", but we still go at it......lol....I fought a lot of full contact as well, but again, no ring.....and then, bouncing for 20 years.....well....thats as "real" as it gets......no ring there either....but no bell, no ref, and no "time outs".......weapons of all kinds......thats how I got the nickname "The Sandman"....

The dojo I used to own was called The Bushidokan. My colors were black and red.The patch was a red circle with the shaolin temple gates in black, with two fighters in black within the gates.

Hej hej Freddy.....hur mar du ? jatte bra ???.....dunno if I spelled that right......My ex girlfriend is from a tiny little town called Bengtsfors, in Dahlsland.....shes in Sodertorn university in Stockholm.....I visited her there last February......shes actually gonna be here in NY this week for a visit (I cant wait You have a beautiful country.....I cant wait to go back there.....but I have a lot more Swedish to learn......where are you in Sweden ?...Tack Tack.....hejda

New Rochelle.....about 30 minutes north of NYC.....where are you ?.....anywhere close ?