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Anyone know/have anything to say about the American Karate System? Started by a guy named Lieb in Michigan. Had a German following that broke off. Here's why: I was a Goju student while overseas. Where I live there is little, ie. TKD, one Shotokan, and the AKS classes. Did I mention I LOVED Goju! I visited the Shotokan and was excited until I saw moms/dads sitting along the gym wall watching their kids train (adult class), no bags, few mats, and someone kind of bashed TKD and, to a small extent, Goju. I was a little disheartened. I plan to check out the AKS class next week at a local Community College - just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this style? By the way, I'm in the Muskegon, MI area and if you know of something else around here...

Just reapperaing after a year away. Been outa the military for a year now and still can't find a karate partner near home. Goju Ryu is nowhere to be found here I guess. So if your from near GR or Muskegon give a shout out if you know of anything for a retired 50ish ex-military dude that really wants to get back at it. John

Dude, I'd give my left one to have a Goju dojo near me! I took Peter Urbans style while I was stationed in Bahrain for a year. I've been back for a year now and still have not found anything of interest. Seems like everything is TKD, one just opened less than 3 miles from my house just a few months ago. Even so I screwed up my knee so now it'll be even longer, sigh...Well, the Goju Ryu is definetly a soild workout, my sensei was tough but fair. We also were required to wear Black gis (not that it matters) and it seemed to highten my enjoyment somewhat. Good luck kohai! John

Here's the facts: I am deployed to the middle east and have few options of instruction. I started Goju Ryu in October 06. My first ever formal MA instruction and I'm 47. There were 4 students and the Sensei. 3 of the students transfered and one quit. The one that quit is who got me started and he's also taking TKD. The Sensei forgets classes sometimes and does not seem to be organized. He's a good guy but hard to learn from IMHO. Now it's just me and the Sensei told me he pretty much wants to have "informal" classes which equates to me calling him when I want to meet and, again IMHO, he will have an excuse why he can't make it. There are three other courses - TKD, Wushu, or train alone. I have not seen anyone taking the Wushu so it may not have gotten off the ground. The TKD is well attended. Please understand that the courses are taught by people that transfer in and out because nobody here is a local. I really wanted to take Goju for 6 months and then decide what to continue with in the states. TKD would require me to get a new gi too! The Goju sensei wanted us to wear black. What would you do given these choices if you were a newbie?

Anything in the woods - hunting, fishing, cutting down trees, traditional archery, four-wheeling, trapping, walking with my honey bunny and best friend Jasmine, mountain biking, trail riding & motocross fanatic. You name it and I probably did or want to. Course all of it has to wait till I get out of this warzone I'm stuck in.

Naturally

John from Michigan, 47 y/o, active military duty for 29 years. Started GOJU while deployed to Persian Gulf about 3 months ago. Probably change style when I get back to the world (Muskegon area). Maybe Wushu or some Gungfu style. Maybe stick with Karate if sensei is good.