Smitty

Well, I fell in love with Goju karate about 2 years ago. Ever since, I've seen myself grow and I've loved it. Well a while back I learned Sanchin kata, and I've read about chi cultivation through it's practice. I got pretty bored this weekend, and figured I'd give the whole chi thing a shot, since I've never really "experienced" it. Well I did Sanchin somewhere around 15 times this weekend. Now I notice I can think about a body part, like my hand or whatever, and it'll feel ... I'm not sure if heavier or stronger is the right word. I'll have the same sensation when I kiai during a kata (without thinking about it) and I feel a dramatic change in the power of my strikes, and I feel less pain now when I'm struck. Is this all in my mind, or is this the beginning of "chi cultivation"?

Orange belt (5th kyu) in Goju Ryu

Goju Ryu karate here.

For the longest time, I've seen my Sensei take hard shots to the nuts, and stand there and smile. He finally told us what it was called. I'm not quite sure how to spell it, but I believe it's called gosenchi. An internet search, however, has yeilded no information. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Be happy you don't live in Huntingdon. I don't think Lancaster is far away from here, though. Here, there's a Goju dojo (my school), Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and I'm not sure if the Judo guy is still around. But we're missing the point. Central PA is dull.

There are only 3 women in my dojo. The Sensi's wife, another lady, and a teenager, 14 years old. There are only a few adult men in my dojo, with the rest of us being teenagers and a swarm of little kids. Regardless, the 3 of them get no special treatment; that's probably because they beat us all with little trouble.

I was having a conversation with a friend of my Sensi's friend the other day (they're both prison guards). He was telling me that you'd have to register as a weapon when you become a blackbelt (which sounds rediculous to me, so I don't believe that one). But it got me to thinking : Ignoring philosophy, It doesn't really seem to me that street fighting and karate are all that different, just karate is more structured. Am I right, or am I missing something?

In my opinion, some people look at kata too narrow-mindedly. Katas are not meant to just be locked into a certain movement. Just because a kata has a technique executed from a low stance doesn't mean it has to be done in a low stance. As far as I can tell, stances are open to change. Part of the thing with katas are to strengthen as well. If you don't look at all the variables, you can't get full value of the katas.

I bet it'd look cool to do. ...and it'd be cooler to watch me get killed.

I guess I'm not the first goju karateka to post, but hey, I'm bored. Goju Ryu Characterized by circular movements, dynamic tension, and breathing. Utilizes Sanchin and Hojo Undo, combined with breath control, to condition to body against strikes. Very "in your face". (As far as my training has been) 50% standing, 50% on the ground. 50% hand techniques and 50% foot techniques, with knees and elbows when appropriate. Throws, grappling, and pressure points are taught and used. Mobility and circular movement are emphasised as well. If I missed anything, let me know.

Readin through my trusty Bubishi today, I had read about something called Arahat boxing (That might, however, be the wrong spelling, I don't have the book onhand). Can someone tell me the characteristics of this style? Or anything you might know?

My most important lesson...... so many to try to pick one out of... I guess it's patience. Lots and lots of patience. My sensi has us doing the Taikyoku katas over and over again. At first, I hated them, they were basic, and BORING. But I had to do them to get to do other katas, and some nights I didn't get to do other katas. One night, I did it technique by technique, step by step, every step being corrected if it was wrong. I had never realized there was so much to have right. Now, I have to be patient in waiting to start, because they're my favorites. The patience I was taught has helped in my outside life, as well. Before long, I found myself being patient with the trouble makers at school, patient with my parents in our disagreements, and patient with my girlfriend (and boy, do I need it.) So... yeah... Patience.

In my opinion, katas are great for training. Their applications (bunkai) are not limited to just what's apparent. There are very realistic techniques hidden within the kata, but you just have to find them. Though they have changed with time, they still hold combat relevance, you just have to be open to interpret them. You're not limited to stay standing with the katas. Some katas contain throws, sweeps, ect. Also, they make for building concentration. Many military self-defense courses don't include katas, but they already have good concentration, having survived boot camp, ect. As for a modern kata, I doubt that alot of people today have enough insight to create a kata. The katas of old have elbows, knees, throws,and to my understanding, pressure points as well. Not only that, most have multiple applications for every movement. I don't think many people these days are qualified to create a kata. Just my 2 cents

I'll give this one a shot. It doesn't seem like it'd work too well, as many of the guys at my dojo are much heavier and could just power me away.

Sorry, I wasn't exactly sure of what it was called. Ok, so you're standing up, 45 degrees of your opponent, they know you're there. You need to keep them from attacking you with either hand, at the same time setting you up for your own attack. Does that make it any clearer?

I believe that's what it's called. Breaking through the opponent's raised hands and attacking from close range. I understand that's important for goju. Anyway, any tips / advice / strategies?

Well he was digging into my cheek with his elbow, and my teeth cut it. It was very..... interesting.

I do it all the time. My sensi just smacks us around, but no serious injuries. Bumps, bruises, cuts (I got one on my tounge last night ) but I don't think anyone's been hurt too bad.

Sum 41, all the way.

I think he was talking about the whole "no influence from aikijujitsu" thing.

I'm not Master Jules, but if I remember correctly, Saifa was created by Miyagi Sensi.

Ok, from what I understand, most of the Okinawan Styles derive from either Naha-te or Shuri-te. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong, and tell me what the derived styles are, and how they're different? I think I read something a while back saying the Naha styles are "close in", whereas the Shuri styles are "distance" fighting systems. Just trying to get my facts straight.

It works the same....... they're all taller than me anyway.

Does anyone have tips on sparring people that are alot heavier than you? Most of the guys at my dojo are, well....... large. They're alot bigger than I am. I'm not exactly mammoth (16, 5'7", 145 lbs) and I often find Kumite turning into me-getting-plowed-over. I'm aware of some things, like circular movements and so forth, but those don't often work, since they're just as experienced as I am, and they know how to counter just about every evasive thing I do. Anyone got any insight?