gojupralgo

It's great to be able to do this sort of thing with your kids. I do caution you however. If you are looking to teach self defense to your kids, TKD in my opinion is not the way to go. Shotokan however can be.

It may be a good time to pick up a second art. One that compliments Karate, if it's available. JJ, JUDO, Aikido.. etc. And continue to train alone with what you already know. Keep yourself in shape.

You may want to check out the Shotokan school. I don't care what Doctors say. Knee strength can be buit back up. I'd try the Shotokan school. See what they are all about.

Self study does not work. It does not correct mistakes. It does not involve any physical contact. IT can be good to help memorize KATA, and be a supplamental tool. That's it.

You may want to consider starting out small. REnting space from a dance school (the floors will be good), a civic organization that may have space (YMCA). Here's another possibility. There is a School in Tucson, AZ with 3 different arts taught. Okinawan GOJU, AIKIDO, and a Sword art. I can't remember which one. I believe that they partner up on the rent.

Dragoon is about 50 minutes east of Tucson on I-10. Chinatown DOJO was a rough place.

There is your clue. Geki SAi Katas were created my Chojun Miyagi. The other basic 10 Katas were created before that. So the extra 20 or so were created by someone else since, and are not part of the typical Okinawan GOJU teachings. I'm not saying that this is bad, I'm just stating the facts. Some of the Katas are used by other styles as well. Sensei Miyagi was part of a committee that set a standard of several katas across all recognized styles in Okinawa at the time. For example, Sanchin Kata is used by several styles.

At under than 6 years of age, I'd send them to gymnastics or something similar.

Blanks was a decent competitor. Back in the 80's there was a guy names Steve "Nasty" Anderson. Be fought Billy Blanks in competition, and destroyed him.

Jackie Chan He's got charisma, and does all of his own stunts. Sonny Chiba Steven Seagal, Just becasue I like watching Aikido

This doesn't have to be a death sentence for your studies. Example: My father tore out his knee about 20 years ago. He opted not to have surgery. I built it back up, and it was stronger than before. This of course can't happen with everyone, but it could be possible. Doctors would tell you otherwise.

What you end up with is a 4- 6 year old that can duplicate the movements, and is now smacking other kids and their parents.

We will not accept any children under 6 years of age. They just don't have a real understanding of what MA is all about. They don't have the attention span, need to know their left from right etc....

Thanks Hey, nobody's technique is perfect. We are always improving. Just keep on striving for improvement. That's what we all need to be doing. I'm sure that your technique is better than you think as long as you keep on scrutinizing it. That goes the same for all of the Masters whose technique we try to emulate. They are constantly trying to improve.

For some reason I had some trouble viewing the video, so IP can't comment much except to say this. Sensei Hokama is very well respected in Okinawa. Not some commercialized moneymaker. I don't think that his organization has more than 5 DOJOs globally. If the video was edited, I don't think that it was by him. He's an old timer. A student of Sensie Higa. These guys are fast!

I remember seeing Jeane Claude VanDamme lie on the Arsenio Hall Show years ago. He stated that when he moved to California, he had to register his hands as lethal weapons with the Police Department. What a phoney.

My Father Sensei Michael Pralgo is my Mentor. He has been my Sensei in Karate, and Life from day one. As far as my Karate training, he tried his best to cover all aspects. Self control was one of them. I was a hot tempered kid, and he would not put up with it. I'm still a bit hot tempered, but know how to keep it cool. He taught me how to avoid situations, but handle them when needed. He backed me up when needed, but not if the problem was of my own doing. Any rank that was received by him was earned. No shortcuts. Then, and now he still puts me to work and challenges me. He's the guy thay works out with the class. Every class. And would work out in the mornings on his own. His training was for practical use. For self defense. Since the GOJU breakup in the 60s, he has stuck with the GOJU-KAI. This is despite numerous attempts by others to lure him away with inflated ranks and promises of large amounts of cash from Big NAME Commercialized Organizations that just about everyone on this board has heard from. He's very traditional. His tireless community service included free work for the NYC Police Department, anti rape/abduction classes, seminars at schools, and the NY Guardian Angels (we threw them out when we learned of their curruption) and numerous civic organizations. All that, and he's a great Dad and Grandpa. Another role models that I have are My Uncle Mel Pralgo. He has been in the business like my Dad for over 40 years. He's an excellent Traditional Okinawan GOJU stylist. I have never trained directly under him, but have watched him train and watch a video I have of him performing KATA. I have never seen GOJU Kata performed better by anyone. Just amazing. Gosei Yamaguchi has kept with his Father's way in the GOJU-KAI for many years. A great role model in the Martial Arts world. My Dad and I follow both his, and his Father's (The Cat's) teachings.

I agree. You can take the defensive stance, but you can't let a bully torture you forever. Once that happens, you loose respect of others at schools. You'll become every bully's target.

I see some good advice here. Sensei Rick has a good idea about getting into an upright fighting school. At our school, we always like to have a second atr such as JJ, Aikido or JUDO. Why not wrestling?

I agree with Number 1, but not really Number 2. Just because a style has 12 belt ranks before Black does not make it inherently bad, though it is often the case. And #3, there are plenty of good American martial artists. Ed Parker (Hawaiian, technically American, right?), current Kenpo Grandmaster Larry Tatum. This last statement is just ridiculous. So people that are American shouldn't be promoted past 8th? I don't personally know Larry Tatum, so I'll ask you. Who gave him the rank of 10th Dan? Who gave it to Ed Parker? If it was given legitemately in Japan or Okinawa, then it can happen. It would be a rarity. As far as the belts are concerned, it's all about the money. Like I said, I don't know Larry Tatum, but his website looks as commercialized as it can get. And that's what ruined Martial Arts in the US.

I don't know what world everyone else is from, but here was mine: Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Survivor of the attacks on 9-11 Recipient of more than several mugging attempts. (only one got me. he pulled out a gun, after I floored him) The target of bullies growing up, because I was small. Basically, I was forced to become a good streetfigter. Most of the people of this country are from large cities. I think that they can relate. In my training, and the training of my students, the most important thing is to be able to get out of or avoid a situation as quickly and safely as possible. In that itself, you are training to be proficient in self defense, and Street Situations. Not to duke it out with them. But again, to get out of the situation. With that being established, fighting skills increase. You can learn self defense techniques, but better be able to follow through in case your opponent isn't finished off. Yes, there is a mental, physical, and spiritual benefit from Martial Arts. But defending yourself is the priority. Everything else is secondary. If there is a DOJO that teaches self defense, or street fighting, while stressing to students how it is intended to be used ....sign up. Otherwise, you may want to consider Tai-Chi.

The difference in blocking is n ot only going to be in Geki Sai. It id probably going to a series of changes. This does happen sometimes when a GOJU DOJO changes affiliation. It is part of the differences between a GOJUKAI DOJO (Japanese) and a Jundokan DOJO (Okinawan)

Just to clarify. I wouldn't know anything about the rules regarding TKD. I was only intending to refer to Japanese or Okinawan Karate. I wouldn't know about TKD or other arts that I am not trained with or affiliated with. I was referring to organizations such as the Kodakan, and the JKA. These governing bodies really don't exist in the U.S. You are correct about the age thing. Gogen Yamaguchi was young as well. But he did not take the rank for himself. It was an earned rank. Mas Oyama was given 9th Dan in 1974 at age 51. 10th Dan shortly after. He may have been young when developing his system. But, he did not assume the rank like others have. It was earned. An example of how long he was an 8TH DAN, and could not get higher until 1974. Referring to Master Shimabuku. There are a whole host of Americans that claim to have been given a 10th Dan from him. We have a guy here in Sierra Vista, AZ (50 yrs old) that makes claims that he is a 10th Dan under Shimabuku. We have a guy in Brooklyn, NY that made his own style at 21 yrs old. Another 10th Dan. Peter Urban (GOJU) proclaimed himself a 10th Dan, after Yamaguchi rejected his request for higher rank. Later on in years, he awarded many 10th Dans to his students. I know about this because my Dad was one of his students at Chinatown DOJO in the 60's (but didn't get 10th Dan LOL). Dad broke away and joined the GOJUKAI after the big GOJU breakup in the 60s. The list goes on and on. This is just a bit out of hand. Regarding traditional Karate, I stick by statement to be wary of anyone claiming such high ranks. Above 8th Dan? Somethings a little fishy.

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I don't plan on being in his neck of the woods anytime soon. Mr. Morris did definitely interest me. I'm not going to doubt anyones fighting ability. Especially if I don't know him. I also am not questioning his honesty, and I assume that Mr. Morris has much to offer. But, As you have suggested in checking out his class, I suggest that if you are ever in Japan, check out the IKGA Gojukai hombo DOJO. The fighters that they produce are absolutely amazing. Goshi included. I'm not talking about point sparring. The real deal. My Father, and my Uncle have rank from his Goshi's Father Gogen, and Brother, Gosei. They trained under GOSHI as well. No matter, how well you fight, rank is not given so easily in the Gojukai. They want you put your time in, and will toss anyone out that they may feel is disrespectful, no matter how tough he or she may seem. Thanks again for the info.

There are also three times more Americans than Japanese/Okinawans, and plenty more interest in the lifetime 'study' of the martial arts in the U.S. than in Japan. But, otherwise i will agree... plenty more people in the U.S. falsely claiming expertise. You make a false claim in Japan/Okinawa, you'll be tested and disgraced. You make a false claim here, and everyone wants to buy your videos. It's not anly false claim. It's the very idea that a 10thDan should be given at all. Look up the criteria for being ranked above 8th Dan in Japan and Okinawa. National Governing Boards. Most aged over 70. Any American that thinks they are legitamately above 8th Dan is kidding themselves. No such thing. Just photoshop, and a real good HP printer. Goshi Yamaguichi is an 8th Dan. He rejected higher rank, because he felt only his Father was qualified to give him higher rank, and that he isn't old enough (he's over 60). His older brother is 70 and a 9th Dan. Both inherited the lineage without question. There are others just like them. At the top of the lineage, yet don't just take a 10thDan, just because their teacher past away. That's not enough reason to get the rank, despite the many Americans that think it's OK A 10th Dan, can't award above an 8th Dan rank legitimately in Asia. Look it up if you don't take my word for it.