Goju Ryu karate--Should I join?

[nfl2k2]

Hello everyone, nice place you got here:).

 

I'm thinking about joining a karate club whose style is "Goju-Ryu" according to their website http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~karate/ . I have gone to a few of their training sessions, and so far I enjoy it. There are a number of other martial arts clubs that I could join, but as a beginner I don't really know which would be most beneficial.

 

How does this differ than the other twenty styles of karate out there? How would something like boxing or UFC differ from karate?

[P.A.L]

if we divide the original karate into two major group one from Naha area other from shuri/tomari area in okinawa, Goju ryu is a main part of Naha-te . it is a very solid style and you won't regret spending your time with them.

 

about UFC ,sorry I don't wanna get into that.

[thaiboxerken]

"How would something like boxing or UFC differ from karate?"

 

Rules of the competition and the amount of competition tends to bring out what really works in the UFC events. Of course, it's limitted to 1 vs 1 fighting with no weapons.

 

It's my opinion that if you want to learn how to effectively fight in a short amount of time, go with MMA/UFC systems coupled with some weapon systems for self-defense reasons. If you want to learn kata and "self discipline" then the karate might be your cup of tea. Some karate guys can actually defend themselves too.

[nfl2k2]

"How would something like boxing or UFC differ from karate?"

 

Rules of the competition and the amount of competition tends to bring out what really works in the UFC events. Of course, it's limitted to 1 vs 1 fighting with no weapons.

 

It's my opinion that if you want to learn how to effectively fight in a short amount of time, go with MMA/UFC systems coupled with some weapon systems for self-defense reasons. If you want to learn kata and "self discipline" then the karate might be your cup of tea. Some karate guys can actually defend themselves too.

 

Is four years considered a short amount of time? That's how long I plan on living here (assuming I don't fail any courses!). In a four year time frame, what level of performance is the 'average' student at?

 

P.A.L,

 

You say Goju Ryu is a very solid style. What other forms are you comparing it to? Does it focus more on self defense (not getting your * kicked if you were put into that sort of situation), rather than technique (technique meaning I would be getting trained to impress someone grading me for a belt advancement)?

 

I can't really find any websites with comparisons of Goju Ryu to other styles. All I can seem to dig up is history.

[thaiboxerken]

"Is four years considered a short amount of time?"

 

I'd say that's a fairly long time. One can learn to adequately defend themselves from the average unarmed thug in MMA systems within months. Add some Filipinno Kali and you'll have yourself covered against weapons as well.

 

The best thing for you to do is check out the class and the instructors. If they are breaking boards and point-fighting, then you're probably not going to learn much about self-defense there. If all they do is Kata, I'd walk away as well.

[nfl2k2]

If all they do is Kata, I'd walk away as well.

 

So far, all we're doing are movements in sequence. I assume this is kata, correct? Since we're all beginners, I expect this to change once the class has reached a certain performance level.

Add some Filipinno Kali and you'll have yourself covered against weapons as well.

 

I will check into that. This would be a different club correct? (IE : they wouldn't teach weapon defense in Goju Ryu)

[Shane]

Your choice of where to train needs to be based on what your looking for. As far as self defense goes its going to not just depend on the style but on the school. Alot of schools use awsome training methods where you are going to learn self defense these schools range from traditional to new mixed martial art styles. But then you have some schools out there where your not going to learn much realistic training at all, you might only learn the art as more of a hobby rather than self defense.

 

You need to think about this when trying to find a good school. In 6 months time will you be able to defend yourself? Iam a firm believer that in 6 months of training a student should know how to defend themselves. Dont confuse this with belt rank progress, in most schools after 6 months you will still be a white belt or just in your first color belt. The belt has nothing to do with it, its the training I'm talking about.

 

You also need to enjoy your training this is a major factor, otherwise you probably wont train for long. So find a school that fits your needs, but also try to keep the 6 month idea in your head.

 

GOOD LUCK

[Shane]

Your choice of where to train needs to be based on what your looking for. As far as self defense goes its going to not just depend on the style but on the school. Alot of schools use awsome training methods where you are going to learn self defense these schools range from traditional to new mixed martial art styles. But then you have some schools out there where your not going to learn much realistic training at all, you might only learn the art as more of a hobby rather than self defense.

 

You need to think about this when trying to find a good school. In 6 months time will you be able to defend yourself? Iam a firm believer that in 6 months of training a student should know how to defend themselves. Dont confuse this with belt rank progress, in most schools after 6 months you will still be a white belt or just in your first color belt. The belt has nothing to do with it, its the training I'm talking about.

 

You also need to enjoy your training this is a major factor, otherwise you probably wont train for long. So find a school that fits your needs, but also try to keep the 6 month idea in your head.

 

GOOD LUCK

[nfl2k2]

In six months I will be graded on what they have taught me, and if I do well enough I'll get a white belt. In the five practices I've been to, they've mentioned "self defense" plenty of times, so I am pretty sure what we're learning is for that purpose.

[thaiboxerken]

If all you do for 6 months is kata, i'd go away. How long have you been there?