malanovaus

I was the second person my instructor had ever promoted to Black Belt under the age of 18, having been 15 when I earned my Shodan. And he'd been operating a dojo for over 25 years at that point. And it took many many, many years to earn the respect of the more senior yudansha at my school. In the organization I belong to there are very few still who under the age of 18 are promoted to Black Belt for all of the mentions that have been mentioned above.

Toguchi-Sensei did develop several kumite drills based off several kata, some of his own creation. I am intrigued as my instructor is of direct lineage from Toguchi-Sensei. Any other information may be helpful to give you a more definite answer.

As previously stated. Doesn't sound like any Gekisai Kata that I know of. The dojo I belong to has three different Gekisai Kata, none of which begin like that. I would be intrigued to find out more.

Okinawan Goju-Ryu under Roseberry John Hanshi.

My class uniform has our organization patch, and on one sleeve a small patch honoring Miyagi Chojun. My tournament uniform has no patches.

Aye, but have sparred many times with this, haven't yet to come across a padded fist that has made it through the cage.

My main reason for using non-open face headgear is simple, I wear glasses. I personally prefer the bars on my mask for the reason that shields can fog up. A link to my headgear can be found below. http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Sparring_Gear/Headgear/Headgear_with_Facemask.aspx

That is very, very different than the version of Seisan that I practice. Interesting to see different variations though.

Interesting a post about Goju and without having a Goju stylist respond. The most basic differences is that where Shotokan is a very linear sytle, Goju-ryu tends to be very circular. Shotokan emphisizes deep stances where Goju prefers solid stances, one of the lowest stances used in Goju-ryu is neko-ashi-dachi. And true that Goju is not geared towards competition, it is a close-in style that blends itself well with grappling arts.

My instructor is turning 71 this year, and he is in great shape for his age. This just goes to show how martial arts can improve the longevity of its practicioners. We also have a judo instructor in our school who still practices and he is 90 years old.

I myself have studied Goju-Ryu for many years, I would base my choices on where to study based on the teacher, class size, as well as the attitude of the other students. I find Goju-Ryu to be a well-rounded art.

The best advice is to focus only on what you are doing, and not lettting your opponent take control of the match or make you frustrated.

Have studied it for many years.

I agree rock solid kihon will help anyone's training, it is just unfortunate that there aren't any nearby Shotokan dojos in my area to try. Especially since Shotokan is at the complete opposite of my primary style. But nonetheless great information.

My favorite katas to perform at tournaments are either Kata Seipai or Kata Shisochin. Kata Sanseiru might be one of my favorites as well.

I feel somewhat lucky I guess, as in our school there are at least 23 katas practiced as part of the curriculum. We have katas that are taught before and after the Gekisai Kata that serve as transitional kata to prepare students for the koryu forms.

Tensho isn't taught in the schools I train at until one reaches Shodan, but we also have a shortened version of Sanchin Kata which is taught to students at the time someone reaches Shichikyu.

I gave my brown obi to a junior student to inspire them to continue on their own journey, aside from that just went out to dinner with my parents (I was 15 at the time).

I agree, my instructor has a saying is that one fights how they train, if they train easy than they fight easy, if they train hard, then if they need to fight, they will fight hard. I find more truth in those statements every day.

I study at the Hombu Dojo of the Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan Budo Organization under Roseberry Shihan in Lincoln, NE.

Goju-Ryu as it is practiced by members of the Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan Budo Organization does include a Gekisai Dai San as part of its kata curriculum. It is taught to students at Rokyu level. It just goes to show that different schools/organizations that even though they may practice the same style that there are different curriculums.

Gekisai Dai San was developed by Toguchi Sensei in collaboration with Miyagi Sensei as a further transition into the koryu katas.

I stumbled across an interesting book in a used book store. "Weight Training for Martial Artists" by Jennifer Lawler I had to pick it up, I've found it to be a good book.

I would certainly rate Kyokushin-kai as one of the more popular styles of karate-do. Oyama Sensei I believe was definately onto something when he developed this style.

These are the testing requirements for adults able to test for Shodan at the school which I train in. The actual list on the wall is this long, but this is all of the prior material that a student needed to learn for previous tests. One year as Ikkyu, Hookiyu Kata #1, Hookiyu Kata #1 Bunkai, Hookiyu Kata #2, Hookiyu Kata #2 Bunkai, Kiso Kumite #1, Gekisai Kata #1, Gekisai Kata #1 Bunkai, Gekisai Kata #2, Gekisai Kata #2 Bunkai, Kiso Kumite #2, Gekisai Kata #3, Gekisai Kata #3 Bunkai, Gakusei no Kata, Sanchin Kata (Short Form), Gekiha Kata #1, Gekiha Kata #1 Bunkai, Saifa Kata, Kiso Kumite #3, Gekiha Kata #2, Gekiha Kata #2 Bunkai, Kiso Kumite #4, Seiunchin Kata, Kakuha Kata #1, Seisan Kata, Sanchin Kata (Long Form), Kiso Kumite #5, Method of instruction, Kiso Kumite #6, Fukushiki Kumite, Essay (4-6 pages double spaced)