shogeri

Nothing beats getting out into the mix of it all.

I agree that many have given good advice. 1. Side step moving forward in a V stepping pattern as you counter. I agree that you should do diagonal and circular fighting rather than a linear one. Back step only to fool your opponent or to regain balance. Do not make it a habit. 2. If you have to back step turn it into a side step with parry and strike. 3. No true blocks (karate). Only strikes. Parry alot, and stay on the move. 4. Follow through, do not stop with one strike, expecting a solid hit. Even if it is, still go through with it. 5. I agree that you should train not to fear being hit. So train getting hit. 6. Be dynamic in your thinking, in your actions, and in your reactions. 7. Do not fight like a boxer, fight like you know how to. That is, like someone who wants to win. 8. Keep your opponent guessing what is coming next. Again, use combinations, and set up strikes. Fake high, hit low. Hit low, fake high, strike to the mid section. Etc... Sparring IS fighting, as this is your opportunity to apply the same principles in training as you would on the street. Gone are the days of watered-down sparring. This makes for poor martial art training. You will train your mind and body to react improperly, period. You can still have fun, but spar like you mean it. Never take yourself too seriously. Smile. Relax. Breathe. Take care. Those are my thoughts...

Under my style, anyone who shows the technical capability (self-defense concepts, technical ability, fighting concepts, qi, etc), the maturity, the wisdom of the art, and can end a confrontation in less than 10 seconds has my vote. Once that is accomplished, they have to walk me through what they just did, write an essay, and that is pretty much it. Age is a factor in what I teach, as it is more combative, less traditional, and less sport based. Essentially, it is a family based system, which is the flip side to traditional. There are exceptions to every rule, no matter how trenched a style is in tradition. I agree there should be standards within said system. I am just saying all this in case I was misunderstood in previous posts, which were geared more torward a traditional way of Martial Art. those are my thoughts

The Martial Art should mold itself to the person, not the person to the Art. Jujutsu is older than Karate (in their current form). Thus, a true Karate way should include jujutsu techniques, but not all of them do. There is Karate-Do, and Karate-Jujutsu. At first glance it is hard to tell the difference. Goju Ryu for instance incorporates, at higher levels, jujutsu techniques, which in all reality are chi' na techniques, since Goju Ryu is Naha Te is Chuan Fa or Chinese Kempo/Shaolin as one goes backward in lineage. True jujutsu (jiujutsu) is both a striking art and joint locking/throw down circular way of Martial Art. I teach a jujutsu mix of karate, taijiquan, muay thai, etc... So I am partial in most regards to jujutsu. If I were to take a external style again it would be Kenpo, and or Hung Gar Kung Fu. If I were to start as a child I would take Taijiquan as taught by the masters of two centuries ago, rather than the 20th century. Erle Montaigue has a decent approach I respect. Just do whatever works for your body, mind, and spirit (character,etc). Research and study academically as you go along in your training. Those are my thoughts...

I remember what it was like to be a young kid, first and foremost. I also remember the countless hours it took to learn certain things. Now, in some cases, when I am able to self-correct, then I am able to help others correct themselves. Many times, a person of young age will technically know their stuff, but in some regards not be able to correct specifics. We had a 7 year black belt in GJR, and she was smart for her age, and her older sister (about 20) was also a black belt who helped her out. Technically she was great for her age. In all respects, she earned it, but on a level appropriate to her. I would and could learn technique from her. But the adult size application, and correction belonged to someone of equitable size and demeanor, in order for it to truly be a fruitful experience. She was excellent in regards to teaching children under the age of 13 or so. Now this doesn't mean one doesn't respect her wishes, talent, or effort...Thus rank. Even if they are 50. The same goes for a 50 year old respecting youth. Respect is mutual, and yet given for different reasons. When dealing with an unknown person, it is given on a human level. Otherwise strangers wouldn't give a rat's butt about other people, and everyone would be annihilating everyone else. Having a person approach you (that you do not know) wearing a Black Belt, does not immediately imply they deserve 'Black Belt' respect. Once two people are placed into a situation, then respect becomes something that grows, and is earned. It follows the tenets of trust, honor, dignity, and so on. Those are some more brief thoughts.

Sure... I was just sharing.

qi = energy (This is as simple as it needs to be.) Also, it is believed to be the essence that gives the world, and the individual body, life. Qi moves blood through the body and energises the organs. This energy is derived partly from our genetic make-up, partly from our breathing, and partly from the food we eat. It lows through a network of meridians or pathways in our body. Qi unites all parts of the body into a single, integrated whole. Some say that qi is matter on the verge of becoming energy or energy on the point of materializing. qigong is the study of qi physics is the "discipline of Science dealing with the properties of matter and energy. Includes; acoustics, atomic physics, cryogenics, electromagnetism, elementary particle physics, fluid dynamics, geophysics, mathematical physics, mechanics, molecular physics, nuclear physics, optics, plasma physics, quantum physics, solid state physics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics." -embassy.org Many definitions of the above came from google (define:) Human qi is not quantifiable by physical standards outside of the body. Qi within the body in linked to all things in the body including, and most importantly, the brain. No physical laws of the universe govern internal qi. Only the body's natural functions, and our brain can do such. Those are some brief thoughts on this.

There have been many great posts on here! As a Christian minister, I have been a martial artist most of my life. I have practiced both the internal and external arts for over 25 years. Chi works for those that know how to use it, and fails those who fail to (or are unable) to understand it. Most of the time, however, it works. Especially when applied correctly. It's just many do not know how to interpret what has happened, or misinterpret those situations in the first place. It's not a religion. It's not trickery. It just is.

Below 15, I lean toward a junior level black belt. Though technically the same as the other black belt, experience, wisdom, and knowledge of the art are crucial at that or any higher level. As an instructor, I can give out a black belt to whomever I believe represents what it means to hold such rank. Thus, age doesn't matter in the long run.

Sanchin is designed for preparing your body against attacks. It is the concentrated practice of taking blows, so that in regular training you body and mind react accordingly. It is a qi exercise or training tool by which a person connects their mental training with their physical training, involving endurance, qi focus, skeletal focus, muscular focus, and mental focus as they learn to absorb the energy, and then redirect it. Like all kata it helps develop both the mental and physical aspects of the art. This is why sanchin is the first kata learned, or should be. It goes beyond strength training. Thusly, all Goju Ryu kata's should or could use the techniques found in sanchin. Those are my brief thoughts!

my lineage comes from toguchi. Sanchin holds a dear place in my heart, though I do not practice it any more, I can still remember it to this day, as it is burned into my body. It was fun at the time.

The same can be said of 4 year university degrees as well. lol

So far as sanchin goes, we did one 180 degree turn to the rear, and then one turn back to facing the original direction. The kata of Goju-ryu are broadly divided into: Sanchin (basics), Kaishu-gata (open hand forms), and Heishu-gata (closed hand forms). The traditional kata passed down from Kanryo Higaonna to the present include: Sanchin, Saifa, Seiunchin, Shisochin, Sanseiryu, Seipai, Kururunfa, Seisan, and Suparinpe (or Pecchurin). In addition to such traditional kata, Goju-ryu has added Kokumin Fukyugata, a series of kata created by Chojun Miyagi for the nationwide popularization of the school-Gekisai I, Gekisai II and Tensho-which complete the kata of Goju-ryu for most schools. In the Okinawan Goju Ryu (sho rei kan) I learned, we were taught: Beginning Kata Dai Ichi Beginning Kata Dai Ni Gekisai Dai Ichi Smash and Destroy #1 Gekisai Dai Ni Smash and Destroy #2 Sanchin Three Battles Tensho Rotating Palm Seiunchin To Pull in and Battle Saifa Smash and Tear Sanseiru Thirty-six Shisochin Four direction Battle Seisan Thirteen Seipai EighteenKururunfa Suparinpei (Suparimpei) One hundred-eight Along with Kumite, and Bunkai, and sparring techniques, jujutsu, etc.

After studying Goju Ryu (up through 2nd dan), and then Taijiquan...The primary link is not just relaxation...It is the breathing. In taiji one relaxes and does not focus on their breathing and allows for it to flow freely. In sanchin, the breathing is trained, and the body is tensed at given times. Though there is only one type of chi in the body, chi has different functions. Perhaps sanchin kata develops breathe qi, whereas taijiquan and qigong develop a different level of qi relating closely to the entire body. Qi flows when a person is sunk, relaxed. Qi is is guided never forced. The mind is relaxed as is the body. Sanchin does mean 'breathe' or a derivative thereof. Later!

My style is called Shogerijutsu Naibu Karate-Do. I would fall under other, but do still practice: Chinese Taiji Boxing, Taijiquan, Thai Boxing, Jujutsu: Of which the above concepts are taught beneath Shogerijutsu, along with some of the basic Naha-Te principles... ------------------- However, I learned up to 2nd Dan requirements, in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do Shoreikan Budo Kai...Which was taught by Sensei Toguchi to Sensei Ichiro Takahata, to Sensei Haggerty... Budo Kai is an association, Shoreikan was said to be Toguchi's method of training...'Spirit respects the school', or something like that...It's been 14 years since I have been there...But that is what I remember... I also learned Tae Kwon Do, privately with 3rd Dan Josh Bennett, a fellow OU student, while living in Norman,Ok. I went up to 1st Dan with him. I also learned the 5 Pinan/Heian of Shotokan/Shorin Ryu, along with the Naihanchi Shodan, and Chinto.

Forever!!! mmoohooohahahha!!!! Just kidding...about 30 min to an hour...