James Bullock

I prefer the 14oz or the 16oz super heavyweight gi's. I wore a lightweight gi until I was a shodan...now I wouldn't wear one if I was paid to..lol

I have seen many over the years within our dojo that have "faded" away to never return. Some have quite before black belt....some after. There are many that most assuredly would be my seniors now had they stayed. My Sensei has always said..your journey doesn't truly begin until you are a shodan.

Hi P.A.L. I will write more about non-rebound very soon....

Personally I believe the usefulness of something is not dictated by the movement but by the perception, attitude, and mentality of the person doing the movement. You could teach someone everything they need to know about surviving a street altercation, they could be the fastest, strongest person on the planet. However without the proper mindset and willingness to survive at all costs then what they learned is pointless. I think when people are taught the "depth" of kata and they have the proper mentality then the usefulness or uselessness of a given movement will be easily seen. My opinion...

Bass Rutten got his start in the traditional arts, he was a black belt in more than 1 I believe. He was an amazing fighter.

Hi Cross, That is fantastic you got to train with Richard. He is an great man and martial artist. His self-defense system is one of the best I have ever scene. I interviewed him and co-authored an article with him about 4 years ago. Glad you enjoyed his material

Best of the Best....Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones Fist of Legend....Jet Li Fearless....Jet Li 300....Some may not consider what the Spartans did as martial art. But considering the word martial means military...then I definitely consider what they do as GREAT martial arts.

I too started sparring a few weeks after I started. This can be good and bad. A good instructor will now when to place the student in that type of environment.

I know this may be an obvious suggestion but I will post it anyway. If you are already studying Karate, then you must already know a variety of kicks. If wish to get better at kicking just practice your kicks more. The reason TKD is known for kicking is because they practice kicking more than anything else. In my opinion there would be no real need to take TKD...just practice on your kicking more. My opinions of course...

I remember when I decided to admit to my GoJu Sensei that I was training in Jeet Kune Do. I was 17 and about to test for my Shodan in a few weeks. I was terrified to tell him. I absolutely had no reason to be scarred at all. He is the nicest man you could ever meet. But his presence and abilities just made you want to cry...like a little baby..lol. It was after class and it was just us..(made it even more intimidating). I told him and he said....I can tell you are doing something different. Your fighting skills have improved incredibly. He said that all of the martial arts have allot to offer those with an open mind and to do what I think is best, just don't give up on GoJu. That is exactly what I did...I did what I thought was best for me. Since then he has had me teach JKD seminars at the Dojo to my fellow black belts. Very humbling indeed...lol

Congratulations on your rank advancement. Great job..

Here is a beautiful demonstration of Seisan as done within Okinawan GoJu Ryu. Master Morio Higaonna is amazing to say the least.

Taikyoku Jodan Taikyoku Chudan Taikyoku Gedan Taikyoku Empi-GO Genchoi Geki Sai Dai Ichi Geki Sai Dai Ni Gesaku Sho Gesaku Dai Taikyoku Mawashi Uke Taikyoku Kake Uke Saifa Sanchin Seipai Seisan Tensho Seiyunchin Shisochin Sanseru Suparenpi/Pichurin Bo and Sai Bo Kata Chatniara Sai

Good topic, I have met those individuals that have become more calm due to their training. Likewise I have met those that do become more aggressive and egotistical due to their training as well. Confidence unfortunately is a double edged sword. Too little and you have low self worth, to much and you are full of yourself. I have also seen those individuals that attempt to make up for their lack of skill in something with aggressiveness. I remember a high ranking black belt that always hurt me pretty badly when I was a yellow belt (12 yrs old). He would never fight at my level, so he pulverized me, even breaking one of my ribs. He was subsequently kicked out of the dojo for a period of time. When he came back he displayed a different attitude. About 5 years ago he approached me and apologized for his past actions and stated that he wasn't confident in his ability to fight. He then asked me to help him with his fighting skills and we have been close ever since. Teaching humility, respect, honor, fortitude, benevolence and all of the essential attributes of the warrior is not an easy task. The best most can do is display a proper example of how a warrior should conduct himself. That is how my Sensei taught all of us. But even with proper examples and teaching their can be a few apples that fall a little too far from the tree.

Here is a very basic explanation. Kata... Formal Techniques Traditionally Kata's contain prearranged self defense techniques that are combined into a kind of workout routine. On a higher level they represent the vital principles of movement, motion, energy, structural strength...etc. Bunkai... The breakdown or analysis of the Kata movements. The actual self defense techniques represented within the kata. Kumite... Free fighting..the use of basic movements within your system to "spar" with. Develops timing, distancing, broken rhythm, speed, reaction time and so on.

Great attitude to have....I concur with what others have posted. It's not the belt that defines the martial artist it is the man in the belt.

Thank you ps1 for the welcome. I have really enjoyed being here so far. Many great people...

Yes bushido_man...that is what I meant by neutral.... everyone has their own terminology when training i guess..lol.

Seek true freedom you will not find it.....why you ask?.....because it never left.

For me my original inspiration was my father. He still is one of the toughest men I have ever met. And I have met a few. He did multiple tours in Vietnam and served in two different branches of the military. Enlisted twice...he studied traditional karate in Okinawa and taught military combatives while he was in the military. I watched him train from the time I could hold my head up. When I was four I was trying to mimic his moves (thats what he told me anyway..don't remember) he started training me officially when I was 6, when I was 12 he enrolled me in GoJu. I have had the martial arts fever ever since...lol.

Thanks bushido_man...

Good points, I use to think that if someone is wearing a black belt they should be able to defend themselves in most situations. Back in the "old" days the martial arts I believe that was usually the case with people like Miyagi, Funakoshi, Egami, Yip Man, Yamaguchi..and so on. I then realized (i got more mature i guess)...that not everyone has the same goals. While my primary goal is to be able to react automatically in any situation. There are others that do the martial arts for aesthetics, or health reasons. I have seen 40 year old women start martial arts for nothing more than to stay in shape. You still teach them real self defense skills but they have no desire to maim or hurt someone to protect themselves. To me I would think everyone would want to protect themselves. But sadly that is not the case in many instances. As an instructor I think it is extremely important to impart real self defense skills, be able to nuture and instill a warrior mentality, at the same being able teach those who don't have the same goals as I or others do.

Very interesting... Thank you for posting the videos. Within GoJu, tensho kata is performed a little differently but it is most definitely the complimentary of Sanchin. Ju or softness within tensho develops fluid attacking power. It teaches you to hit with maximum power with minimum effort. This also develops strong internal structural strength. One of the most important teachings of Tensho is the principle of non-rebound. Sanchin uses "protective" breathing and energy. Tensho uses "attacking" breathing and energy. I heard at one time that GoJu was essentially a specific and precise blend of Crane Boxing, Tiger Boxing, and Monk fist that came from Grandmaster Ryuryuko in the eighteen hundreds.

It should depend on the individuals abilities, dedication, and of course attitude. I started GoJu Ryu when I was 12 and had the honor of testing for my black belt at 17. I tested with three others and each of us where tested according to our abilities. I was the youngest and the most athletic yet I was pushed to the brink of exhaustion and back again. The others where mid to late forties and they where pushed to the maximum of their own capabilities. To me that was the greatness of my Sensei..he could do that to everyone. Regardless of age and physical ability he could push us to our very limit and past it. Being promoted to black belt by him was on of the highest honors ever. When I tested for my Sandan in 2002 it was by myself and it took 4 hours. After I had gone through everything in the GoJu system (which only took 2 and a half hours) he seen that I wasn't pushed to my limit. He then extended the test to four hours so that I really earned my 3rd dan. Needless to say I thought I was going to die after it was over. I loved every second of it, I feel like I truly earned my rank. So I guess my point is that earning a black belt should push you to your OWN PERSONAL limit. So that you truly feel like you worked your hardest for it in every way. So once you tie it around your waist...you feel like that is where you belong...in the black belt. Just my opinion..

I like this idea 3-17-07 Warm up...Sanchin Kata Neutral Alternating straight punches 10x50..500 total Right fighting stance straight lead punch 10x5..focusing on start speed Left fighting stance straight lead punch 10x5...focusing on start speed Neutral Alternating Side Kick to the front 5x10 Neutral Alternating Straight Kick 5x10 Neutral Alternating Round Kick 5x10 Neutral Alternating Knees 5x10 12 angles with stick 12 angles with knife Hubud 15 minutes Chi Sao 15 minutes Cool down: Tensho Kata