Goju class?

[Goju_boi]

I'm just curious, I just finished my first week of Goju ryu Karate training and so far it's been pretty good. When i started the Sensei and Sempai saw what I know cuz I had previous experience (unfortunately from a Mcdojo) . After that all I've learned is blocks and punches from my fist being chambered , one new kick (cuz I knew the other ones he asked me to show him),stances, foot work, and my first kata (which I'm still trying to get right).I guess what I'm asking is , is it supposed to be like that because I'm a begginer or what? What else should I expect ? When am I going to learn new punches and kicks?WHen am I going to spar?When am I going to learn self defense applications?, ..... etc. thanx in advance

[Shorin Ryuu]

Easy there, tiger. Like you said, most of your experience has been from a McDojo, so you'll probably have to relearn or learn for the first time a lot of basic principles and things. You've only been in Goju Ryu for a week, so don't expect it all to come raining down on you; you have to wait a bit.

Obviously everything will depend on the dojo in terms of the pace in teaching, but there really is no sense getting too firehosed with information, nor is there any sense in trying to take on too much at once. That will just end up with you having overall bad technique.

Everything you learn is "self-defense" related. Just because they don't stand there and say "Okay class, now we're going to do self-defense drills," doesn't mean that you're not learning self-defense.

If all you've learned is some punching, blocking, stances, foot work and your first Goju Ryu kata, then I'd say you have plenty on your plate for now.

I know. No one wants to simply be told to be patient. I know I enjoy learning new things all the time. However, you have to keep in mind that being a good fighter means you're good at the basics.

[Jussi Häkkinen]

Learning new? Well, first, you'll have to re-learn to do the old ones properly in a new way.

Also, it's not about learning the new stuff. It's all about learning how to use the stuff you have. There will be time when you won't have anything new to learn - only polishing the known ones and learning to apply them. I actually like it - and wish every day that there'd be less to polish and keep up.

A kata? Well, that should keep you busy for a while. If it's Gekkisai dai Ichi, you should have something that keeps you busy for the rest of the year. Applications...

[swdw]

Think about it. You said you came froma McDojo. So why are you expecting the same type of instruction from a legitimate school?

New techniques- don't you think you should learn to adjust them to Goju first? Do you want quality or quantity?

Spar? Can't you wait until your techniques are adjusted? IF you came from McDojo, I'd bet your balance needs more work.

Goju doesn't just throw techniques at you willy-nilly You work on what you've been shown and when the quality is there, other techniques are built on the foundation you put in place.

Goju has a structured learning path, and it's there for a reason.

I have a student with several years previous experience in JKD and Hapkido. He hasn't complained one bit about me treating him exactly the way you're being treated.

If you have a problem with how it's being taught, you need to sit down and evaluate your motives and goals.

[jarrettmeyer]

I love what I'm studying. Goju is so diverse, and it adapts so well to each body style. I get so much out of it. We've got strikes, infighting, locks, throws... we are all learning the same thing, but you can tell that everyone's Goju is just a little bit different.

Remember, you do karate for you, not for a strip of cloth around your waist. The study of you never quits. You don't measure it in sparring points, number of known techniques, or how many times you do Sanchin each day. You measure it in your own self-improvement.

The only problem with that is the belt is such an easy ruler. If you learn to put aside the material, karatedo will mean that much more to you in the long run.

[cathal]

Easy there, tiger. Like you said, most of your experience has been from a McDojo, so you'll probably have to relearn or learn for the first time a lot of basic principles and things. You've only been in Goju Ryu for a week, so don't expect it all to come raining down on you; you have to wait a bit.

Obviously everything will depend on the dojo in terms of the pace in teaching, but there really is no sense getting too firehosed with information, nor is there any sense in trying to take on too much at once. That will just end up with you having overall bad technique.

Everything you learn is "self-defense" related. Just because they don't stand there and say "Okay class, now we're going to do self-defense drills," doesn't mean that you're not learning self-defense.

If all you've learned is some punching, blocking, stances, foot work and your first Goju Ryu kata, then I'd say you have plenty on your plate for now.

I know. No one wants to simply be told to be patient. I know I enjoy learning new things all the time. However, you have to keep in mind that being a good fighter means you're good at the basics.

I agree, that is good advice.

[P.A.L]

what part of Texas do you kive, I am in Houston.

[italian_guy]

I think you should have more patience. You should learn the new art and forget some of the old. I started Goju after more than 1 year of kickboxing (not Mcdojoish my KB instructor was a good one), I had to learn a lot of new things related to my new martial art but my old art helped me to progress faster (after two months of training I was admitted to a yellow belt exams and passed with a good score), but something I had to forget. For example in kumite (point sparring) you are not allowed to throw a Jab (kizami-tsuki) to the body while in KB you can.

So study patiently and results will come.

[Goju_boi]

thanx guys now that i think about it u all are right.I was just being impatient.I'm having enough time mastering my first As for Jussi Häkkinen, yeah that is the kata i'm learning.And as for P.A.L. i'm form your hometown also.

[MASIsshinryu]

I think the transition from one art to another is one of the most challenging things a person can do. In order to give the new art a chance, you have to allow yourself to un-learn a lot of what you did before. If you had been involved in any repeatative training previously, you have some motor-memory to undo. That takes a lot of time and effort, and can be very frustrating. I started my MA expeience with a full rotation punch, and found the initial transition to the Isshin ryu punch very challenging.

Stick with it and keep your open mind. Some of the things you see and do may seem overly basic, but thay will all help you work towards that un-learning/learning process.

Good luck!