SANCHIN31

How many kata in a system is too many? I have heard of styles with upwards of 20+ kata. Can anyone truly expect to really learn (meaning bunkai) that many kata and be proficient in them? Would it not be better to concetrate a few kata and really be able to learn them? By learning I don't mean perform them well, I mean to actually be able to apply the bunkai. The true bunkai,not the multiple opponent blocking overhead strikes bunkai. Goju has twelve,but IMHO I still think that's too many.

I say many schools based on the schools in my area that I have visited. Hopefully this isn't the norm all over.

FYI you can click on edit to fix your posts. Our school is not what some would call traditional either.We practice ground techniques as well.

The lower your stance is, the closer you are to being on the ground. what good is a low stance that is strong in one direction and transitioning is slow? recipie for disaster. low, long zenkutsu dachi is weak in tactic and near impossible for in-close fighting...but looks good in competition and its always better to display exaggerated technique to wake up the sleeping judges and get your "I'm #1,2,3 symbol" -which is usually something that is worth less than the entry fee. The answer to me is clear. It is neither specifically for leg power nor comfort in awkwardness. It has more to do with functionality and structural efficiency than either of the above. Of course developed leg power is a product of the exercise, as is comfort in awkwardness, but the primary utility of a low stance is to change the height and angle of one's posture in a structurally efficient manner, in order to effectively apply a grappling, throwing or takedown technique.

Nothing wrong with sport martial arts as long as they are taught as sport. Jumping fancy kicks do not relate to self defense.

You are studying for it every time you practice.If you need to know something for the test they will tell you.One year is a long way off and really you don't "have" to test.

Wow and ow! Was this in sparring? In class or outside of class? Were you barefooted? What bone did you break? Sorry for so many questions,but you were less than descriptive in your post. Get well soon!

OOPS! I feel like a dote! I should have searched! It is a similar thread.

When bashing karate is the issue the chamber is always brought up. Usually referring to "punching from the hip". As many of us already know someone that says that has had poor instruction. So what can the chamber be for? 1) elbow to ribs 2) two way action, push/pull 3) grappling, holding opponent in position for strikes or locks We can dispell the myth that chambering is only traditional and has no self defense applications. Feel free to add your own applications of the chamber.

Does he still teach the taikyoku series too? I like the learning of naihanchi,I think it should have been included in goju.Alot of the moves in the pinan kata can be found in other goju kata.

Thanks for the wlcome! I look forward to sharing and learning here!

How many of you practice line work? Seems like alot of schools have abandoned it,but there are alot of benefits in line work. Concentration (focus) Muscle control Fitness Fluid motion Balance Line work is not all that is needed,but it needs to be repeatedly drilled to develop good form.Good form leads to good technique which leads to good applications for your karate. Line work is especially important for the beginners to learn the basics.

For all those starting out in karate or even those into it already an excellent e-book is availiable free at https://www.iainabernathy.com

Sometimes at class we form a circle with one or two in the middle. The ones on the outside smack away at the ones in the center. Everybody gets smacked,it's great fun.

Yes, a blackbelt is just a good student. Shodan means first rank,so you could say that before that you had no rank.

Do your best!

In that case I'm 15 ..........31yrs young!

Hi. My name is Brian,I'm 31 6'3" 190lbs. I did TKD for 3yrs. At 17 I started goju and am currently Nidan. Glad to be here. I live in Greenwood,AR. If you are in my area and are interested in training contact me.

The best self defense is avoidance and awareness. I don't go out on the streets looking for trouble or put myself in bad situations. I have experience from "real street fights",but I'm smart enough not to get into them anymore.

Nidan in Goju since 1999.

The same people giving children blackbelts wonder why martial arts has lost respect. Keep the standard,16yrs old minimum.

This summed things up very nicely! Board breaking doesn't have self defense value,but can give you confidence.

I agree with most of what you said. IMO about %75 of TKD schools are mcdojo's.When I was in school I attended one for three years.I didn't know any better and my parents didn't either! TKD has went the route it has because of the public.TKD gives the public what it wants to see,not what is effective and practical.So now you have belt factories with 20yr old 4th dan running them.I'll stick to goju. There are good TKD schools out there,you just have to know how to find them. p.s. Goju does not have the pinan series kata and is the only Okinawan style that does not include Naihanchi.

If you are a striker learn to grapple,or at least how to defend from a grappler. If you are a grappler learn to strike or defend from it. I don't train for the ring,so I don't have to worry about either.I just focus on those that would do me or my family harm.These are usually just hotheads with no training anyway.