koryu

Chi, or Ki is obtained by correct posture and body alignment along with proper technique execution. There are several aspects to achieveing ki, although I will not get too detailed. This is a very controversial subject, and although several people do not believe it, I do believe there is such a thing. As far as the feeling, it is very hard to describe. I find it to be very cleansing. The best way that I have found for ki to be achieved is through proper kata training, specifically Sanchin (for me). After performing such kata, one feels refreshed and energized. This is the best way I can describe ki. You will know when you have achieved this. As far as the kiai... It should originate from the abdomen or tanden. Similar to how a person is taught to sing. It should come from deep within the body and released with a forceful breath. How a kiai sounds depends on the individual person. You should not feel a kiai in your throat. Don't worry about how loud the kiai is, until the dynamics are correct. A good kiai, along with everythig else, is achieved over time with practice. Hope this helps answer your question

We train such techniques in several kata, although I have never had the opportunity to use such a strike in a real life situation. Although I do not think that it is impractical, I do believe that it would have to be a very rare occasion where an opponent is completely open to such a strike.

Black belt - San Dan. 13 years and counting.

I apologize, I should have read further to see that you actually meant the sai kata. Here's what I've found. http://www.ironcrane.com/assets/multimedia/saichb.WMV - 1.3Mb - Online video, poor quailty, but all moves are distinguishable if you are just using as a refresher. Personally, it's not the best performance of a sai kata that I've ever seen, and the moves involved are not very complicated, but it is a fairly long kata. If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact me or just post again.

"http://www.bestinmartialarts.com/images/shishi.mov" - 2.5Mb - online video of Shi Shi No Kon no Dai (I am not sure of the quality, I refuse to install quicktime, so I can't play it on my computer). As far as the second kata, I'm finding "Chatan Yara No Sai" for the sai kata, and "Chatan Yara No Kon" for the bo kata. Please specify which one you're looking for so I can attempt to help you further. I would assume that you're looking for Chatan Yara No Kon since this message is entitled Isshin-Ryu bo kata. I will try to offer any assistance I can.

As stated in previous replies, bunkai is simply the application of the moves of the kata. Although, there are different levels of bunkai. There is the basic, or obvious, level where every application is almost identical as to how it is performed in the kata (a block is a block, kick a kick, and so forth). Then there are more advanced interpretations where movements vary and get more intricate (blocks become strikes, stance movements become throws). Then there are the "Secret" interpretations of the kata (blocks charge meridians, while strikes attack vital points along meridian channels). A person could study one kata for years and still not understand all the posibilities of the bunkai. The possibilities are endless for even the most basic kata. Study and understand as much about a kata as possible, and you kata performance will improve.

Geiki Sai Di Ichi - 8th Kyu Geiki Sai Di Ni - 7th Kyu Saifa - 6th Kyu Seiyunchin - 5th Kyu Shisochin - 4th Kyu Sanseiru - 3rd Kyu Sanchin (Miyagi Chojun) - 2nd Kyu, 1st Kyu Seisan - Dan Levels Seipai - Dan Levels Kururunfa - Dan Levels Superinpei - Dan Levels Tensho - Dan Levels Sanchin (Higashionna Kanryo) - Dan Levels For the higher level kata, I just put "Dan Levels". These kata are not structured as to when they are to be taught. Each individual will move at a different pace through the learning process of these kata. Although, generally, by the time someone reaches about their 2nd year of Nidan or Sandan, they have learned all 13 kata and the associated bunkai and kakie. From then on, there are other kata that can be learned, but they are not from the Goju system and are not considered a part of the curriculum. This is just how my school does it, but there are several variations. I know several schools that teach Sanchin first, which is ideally correct because of what it teaches. Although, in today's society, I feel that one should have a good grasp of the basics, such as postures, proper breathing and muscular tension. I feel that there are several students who may learn the kata and then take it upon themselves to perform it incorrectly, or with incorrect posture and cause injury to themselves. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

Here is the standard belt system that we use. White and Red belt (white worn on top) - 4th Dan with Renshi Teacher's License White and Red belt (Red worn on top) - 5th Dan with Renshi Teacher's License Black belt with Red stripe - 6th Dan with Shihan teacher's license Black belt with Red stripe - 7th or 8th Dan with Kyoshi Teacher's License Solid Red Belt - 9th or 10th Dan with Hanshi Teacher's License I use 10th Dan on this list, although this rank cannot ever be attained by any living individual. Only those who dedicated their entire lives to the study of the art are awarded this honor upon their death. (Notice, these belts are only for those who teach, there are several black belts that achieve these ranks and have no desire to teach. These individuals are awarded plain black belts.) I wanted to add one other thing. Those who teach and achieve these ranks do not automatically receive the titles that go with them. One has to be awarded the title to wear the belt. This helps to distinguish those who have been honored as such. These belts are only worn durning formal occasions. Generally, during training, most black belts will wear their original worn and tattered black belt. Hope this helps!

We train Okinawan Goju-Ryu, Kobudo, and Jujutsu at my dojo, and all are separate classes. There is no kobudo requirement for grading, and, similar to others, there is no rank given for kobudo under shodan. I think this is fairly common from those whom I speak with, but it also depends upon if your sensei's at the instructor's level for kobudo as well. There are several individuals who train only karate-do and don't train weapons, only attempting to master one style, which is completely personal opinion. As a side note, I feel that lower kyu ranks should probably not be introduced to kobudo. White belt is definitely too soon in my opinion. I feel you should have a good understanding of basic karate technique before ever picking up a weapon. But again, this is only my opinion.

Hip torque is key to proper body alignment and striking power. Power comes from the hips, but this is not the only thing that it is based on. The entire body is involved in the process. Let's take a basic punch for example. The hand starts palm up, closed fist, chambered around the floating rib. As the hand goes out, the other hand pulls back (push/pull motion), the hip on the same side moves forward with the direction of the punch. The hand turns over at the end of the technique and at this point several things happen at the same time. The hand tightens, along with all the muscles of the forearm, bicep, tricep, and lat. The legs tighten, toes grip the ground, and hips return to their natural position and center of gravity drops. All the muscles in the body should be tight at this one quick moment and then released to their natural positions. This is the technique of a good punch. But this is only developed after years of training. It is not something that comes overnight. Proper striking is also developed with the diligent training and study of kata. If you study and train kata correctly, this will develop for you in time. Hope this helps.

Personally I feel that the style does not matter, do some research and find one that you're interested in. Here's a hint when looking for a dojo. Go to different dojos and ask to observe one of their advanced (black belt) classes. Watch how they train. If they are working out hard, sweating, training to their full potential, then you will receive good training at this kind of school. If their black belts are just standing around, doing their own thing on the mat, off in separate corners doing different things and there is not a drop of sweat... Do not choose this school. Look for crispness in technique, and the spirit they put into the training. The black belts should be the ones to look up to, and should train the hardest all the time. This is the kind of school you want.

I think 1 1/2 hours is ideal. This gives about 20-30 minutes of warmup and stretching time before the workout, 50-60 minutes of warmup time, and time at the end of class to wrap up, review, and ask questions.