LeaF

yep we learn it at blue blet, also being the third bo kata taught. No jumps however many interesting spins including behind the back ones

takes about 5-6 years to get shodan, then add two years on more nidan and about 2 and ahlf to 3 after that for sandan..... to hold any blackbelt rank one must be at least 18 years of age....

everyone at my clubs seems to grade at different speeds and times, basically one grades when they are ready. However we too have a loosely followed minimum time period... from white to orange I'd say about 3-6 months, 0rand up to blue probably 9 months, blue to brown is about a year and brown to shodan is a year and a half, from there times range to 2 years + for nidan and three years for sandan etc...

well first off he's right, the jo did beat musashi... my personal preference is actually the bo, I've always loved it, but I do appreciate the jo as well. I find that the nature of both weapons is quite simular and you could easily apply many of the techniques with either weapon. In praticality, which was the question asked, i would agree that the jo is probably more common, but if one looks hard enough a 6 foot staff is never far off

I study goju and love it, wonderful balence of hard and soft, hece the name go=hard, ju=soft. I would check the pl;ace our meet the sensei and see if it is an environment you'd be interested in training at.

yea it was some creed in my manual, seems like the same idea....

lets see... for all kyu ranks $40 canadian.... for 1st dan it's about $200 canadian.... and goes up after that......

If I face you with my empty hands my weapons, I have none If I should be forced to defend myself, my honour, my principles A matter of life and death, right or wrong, Then here are my weapons my empty hands

Chatan Yara no Kon

if I were you I'd wear wraps and gloves... it is far to easy to screw your wrists up when the bag turns without them....

oh god, I love eggnog... drink it by the carton... and yes the rummm is necessary Happy Holidays All

I prefer the Tokaido

yea... good idea, my bo has become a loss cause though, I recently split the end of it, time to buy a new one.....

I am currently involved in a style of japanese Goju Ryu, and have been for approximately 10 years. I train in central toronto, but I can give you a link to the organization I am involved with as the have many dojos in GTA. I would suggest looking one of them up. The organization is CMAC (classical Martial Arts Canada) And their website is.... http://www.cmac1.com/cmac.htm check out the dojo affilates page....

I wouldn't count on straightening it... however if you can I would love to know how... as my bo has developed quite the curve as well....