ps1

You could always ask your master!

Good to hear you had a good time. What does he teach?

This is only a superficial similarity. How do I know? Training in Goju since 1986. Studied Shotokan 3 years before that. Work out with friends in shotokan (usually sandans or higher) You will not see the huge differences in a tournament, especially in sparring because of the rules. Certain Goju kata are rarely done in a tournament because they don't score well as ther are too many soft techniques. Definitely have to agree. I've trained with a few Goju practitioners. They interpret the bunkai very differently. It actually reminded me more of Aiki Jujitsu than Shotokan. Very impressive system and very well rounded.

The most efficent and safest time to stretch for increased flexability is when the muscles are warmed up. I would suggest a strict routine after every class before you leave the school. The stretches should feel tight, but not be painful. Hold them for 30 seconds to one minute each. Relax, then go through it again. On the second time through I would always try to go a little farther. If you stick to it, you'll be amazed how quickly you gain flexibilty. As Makoto Jin said above, make sure you hit as many muscle groups as possible. Don't forget to stretch the lower back and abs though, many hamstring and quadricep injuries come from an over compensation for an inflexible core.

This is how I've seen most people do it and how I perform it as well. However, I was always told that the trail (left) leg should "snap" out more for an arial back kick. Does that make sense?

It can be extremely challenging at times. Enjoy learning it Brandon Fisher. As far as the differences go they are very different. As mentioned above, Kanku Sho is simply a jumping crecent kick at 180 degrees. In Unsu it is a full 360 degree turn ending in an arial back kick. I've seen very few people perform this in Unsu properly (it usually ends up being just a large spinning jump). On the contrary, Kanku Sho's kick is far less difficult.

You could always just google it. Also, call different martial arts schools around the area and ask.

"Yeah...I did karate when I was a kid...I was one belt away from black belt." Why does it seem that everyone was always "just one belt from black belt."

Pretty sweet!! Nice job!

Sounds like your school is very organized and it will help to keep those new students feeling included. We didn't do it that way. Honestly...I may try to include that in the future though.

I think it depends on how long you've been training Goju. It may just get in your way if you're not already an advanced practitioner. Hapkido will definitely teach slightly different basics. Other than that I say go for it. You can never learn too much! Remember to talk it over with your instructor also.

Interesting article. Although...the reason boxers "corkscrew" their punches is because it allows the deltoid (shoulder muscles) to protect their jaw on the same side while they punch. I think it's a good read overall. Thanks for the link!

Karate is a mixed martial art which includes grappling, throws, locks, chokes, strangles. As well as strikes. It always has been. If you're not practicing it that way you're practicing kickboxing, not karate. I agree that Karate does contain grappling, throws, locks, and so on. However, since training in an art that specializes in those techniques (Aiki Jujitsu and Brazilian Jiujitsu) Karate's way of applying them uses more energy than is necessary sometimes. Afterall, traditional Kodokan Judo contains punches and kicks...but it's still the weak part of the system. Karate teaches the throws and whatnot...but they are still the weakest part of most Karate systems.

I agree with UseoForce whole heartedly! I've walked into just as many TMA schools that have said the same thing about other systems. Remember...there's no such thing as a bad art...just a bad instructor! Just wanted to point out that the bowing is usually replaced by a handshake and friendly smile. They simply tend to swap one tradition for another. I've had very few people snub their noses at it...it's just not their way. Try a hand shake. Afterall, when's the last time you met your business partner, car dealer, or boss and gave him a warm Thai bow? If you did that (in America)...people would look at you funny. Ettiquite varies from school to school and to expect someone elses school to follow your ettiquite is a little presumptuous. Besides...if a bow doesn't mean anything to them...do you really want them doing it? I'd rather have a warm meaningful greeting. In some places it's a bow, in others a handshake, and yet others it comes in the form of poking fun and kidding with each other. I do think the instructor sounds a little cocky though. But that's what alot of peole want to hear these days. Can't blame him for trying to sell his school to someone who's interested. It's what alot of people want to hear. Not all of them...but alot of them.

I think you're correct from a self defense standpoint. If you can stand back up safely...do it. You should practice the self defense applications as often as the sport applications.

Did you post it in the Chinese Arts forum...I bet they could give a better analysis.

Whose tradition? I've said before that tradition is what you make it. The martial arts we all learn to day are so changed from their origional versions. "Traditional" martial arts are and always have been only practiced by the militaries of the world. Ok...you have me here. And I also call it Karate. However, it's more for expedience. I've pondered several times just calling them forms 1 through whatever. Point to you Triskel. My students do not misunderstand what I want to see. There is no longer another school for them to go to since my head instructor passed away. Should they choose to train in another school they are allowed to do so. But that school should teach its own verbiage. NO! I do not allow my students to call me Sensei. They call me Mr. Jones and my highest ranking student just calls me Bill. Sensei is much more than a teacher. Sensei is more of a guide through life and pointer of the way. Which brings up the main reason I don't use Japanese terminology. The Japanese speak in idiom and their language is almost an artform of itself. It is difficult for many Americans to fully comprehend the meaning of what is being said in full...so it gets summarized. Usually the summary does not do it justice. Therefore terms are misused in many many cases. If a student wanted to learn the terminology I would be happy to teach it...but they would learn it correctly. I would rather they spend their time learning the propermindset of training. Afterall...jikishin kore dojo. I do thank you for some spirited responses.

This is an excellent question and debate. I think it all depends on where you're from. Clearly, in the UK this would not be an option (if I'm not mistaken) guns aren't even carried by the police. However, in the US, where people are killed by guns every day...and many of those deaths are accidents...I can see Parkerlineage's point of view here. Afterall, having a liscense to carry does not necessitate carrying the weapon. It just means that you should really understand the dangers of the weapon. It's something many take for granted. In our BJJ school the instructor brought in a couple guns to show the kids. He taught them how to check to see if they are loaded and other safety tips. Parents were kind of freaked out at first. But I think it was a good idea. Hmmmmm...I don't think a lisence should be necessary though.

Pretty cool! I would guess that the low quality of the camera adds alot to making him look quicker than he is. I'm not saying he's slow...just probably not as fast as the camera makes it appear. Too bad there's only the one video. I'd love to see more.

He earned his BJJ black belt from Jean-Jaques Machado.

Wars were being fought over Soccer Matches before Columbus was a twinkle in his daddy's eye! Plus...as a whole...America hasn't paid much attention to the sport for the last oohhh 210 years or so! That's why we get our butts kicked! How can this compare to our skill levels in combat effectiveness? We have the most powerful military in the world! This is something that has been established and constantly modified since 1776! Being a vet I am a little biased here though. We don't consistantly win in sport martial arts because we don't have a government that will pay atheletes to train it specifically (nor should they as this is not the function of a government). Dominant teams like Germany, Sweeden, France and the like all give special allowances for their atheletes. Often, people who aren't in those programs or don't have special permission, can't even train in the arts legally. Personally, that's not an America I want to see. If that means we will rarely see a gold medal in the olympics...so be it.

I think this is an excellent post that addresses a lagitimate concern. It would make a great topic for an article!

I have learned both. Generally, I teach only American. I do not intend to travel to Japan anytime soon and do not feel it's necessary for any of my students to take the time to learn it. That's precious time they can spend practicing the technique instead of memorizing terms and phrases. JMO.

I feel a more correct statement would be: George Dillman CLAIMS to be the foremost expert on pressure point attacks.

Who's tradition? Please expand on your thoughts here. Tradition can mean so many things. To what purpose? Toward which goal are we (Americans) not aiming high enough? I know you said you don't want to go into details...but your comment is so general. How can we respond well to such an open ended statement?