Goju Ryu or Shotokan?

[dingyuan]

Goju Ryu or Shotokan, which do you suggest for someone who's really new to karate?

[P.A.L]

first go to shotokan club , you will hate it ,then you can go to Goju-ryu club and stay there.

 

they are both good and since they come from two different lineage of karate we can't compare them. Goju ryu has preserved more Chinese boxing elements compare to shotokan, I really think you should go to both classes and see them in action, you have a martial art background and I am sure you will find one of them more interesting based on your training preferences.

[MFGQ]

I've studied both, im actually stil studying goju ryu, i believe it is more alike to my style of fighting, shotokan is a lot of sticking to the ground to say it in a way while goju ryu is quicker and is a little more light on the feet. But its your decision, the best you can do is check both classes and then decide but it depends on which one makes you more comfortable, they are both great

[Chirath]

Personally I see Shotokan as the bases of Karate. While the other styles are improvements to it. But thats my opinion. I'd say go with Goju Ryu.

[gojuchad]

I have not taken Shotokan but I hear that its really cool, I have been training in goju for the last several years and I really like it and couldnt imagine doing anything else (full time that is, I do like to experiment with other ma's). I guess you should check them both out and see what you like, good luck.

[aefibird]

Well, as the Goju people will advise you to take Goju and the Shotokan people will advise you to take Shotokan... it has to be your decision.

 

I train in Shotokan-based karate, but I've done a little Goju training too, which I enjoyed. There are similarities and differences between both of them, but both are excellent styles and suitable for beginners to the karate 'world'.

 

As for choosing which one to pick... go along to each club and have a few lessons (not just one, as you'll get a better 'feel' for each club if you have more than one lesson there). Think also about factors such as training costs, location of the school and the amount of times you will be able to train.

 

Good luck with your decision! I hope that you find a MA that is right for you.

[solar_kid]

I'd echo aefibird... I think for a beginner the differences in style probably are less important than other factors, like how close the school is, how comfortable you think you'd feel in class, the costs, and so forth.

[Karategurl]

The only reason i would suggest Goju-Ryu is because that is the kind of karate i do... i dont know all that much about shotokan. Plus, i have done a research project on Goju-Ryu so i know more about it.

[Sho-ju]

I study shotokan and shorin but have done meibukan goju...I liked shotokan better because it tends to be more agressive, a lot of time is spent on attacking, where (IME) goju was a very rooted style, a counter style. One's not better then the other, both are good if they suit your personal taste.

 

Hope this helps.

[jarrettmeyer]

I would agree with Sho-ju that gojo is much more of a countering style. I've watched classes from beginner to black belt. NEVER have I seen any technique used to throw the 1st strike. We're always training the counter-first-then-make-your-opponent-pay-for-it technique. Almost all of our techniques and kata are block+strike, trap+throw, trap+strike, etc. Someone does something to you first, then you react off of that.

 

It's kinda funny watching goju sparring. No one seems to want to throw the first punch.

 

All comments in my limited scope.