Materials (DVD/Book) to learn a Kata alone ?

[still kicking]

OK, that's cool, Lupin1. I think that using videos to supplement our training is great, as opposed to substituting for same.

[bushido_man96]

I just learned the basics of Isshinryu Chinto in two days from an awesome video series. It's incredibly expensive ($50 for a video with two or three kata on it) but it has front view and side view and then both in slow motion and then a step by step explaination and then the bunkai. I've got four years of training in Isshinryu, so I'm different from someone who's never had that, but I think my Chinto looks pretty decent for only having done it for a week and the kids who teach in the video are so incredibly sharp I've found my movements getting harder and sharper just from watching them.

If you're interested-- http://chnproduction.com/Isshin_Ryu_DVD_Series.html

I think that when you've already got pretty good experience, video and book training can provide a great supplement to training. Having a good partner alongside can boost this, as well.

[JohnASE]

I just learned the basics of Isshinryu Chinto in two days from an awesome video series. It's incredibly expensive ($50 for a video with two or three kata on it) but it has front view and side view and then both in slow motion and then a step by step explaination and then the bunkai.

For everyone's info, this isn't that expensive for this kind of coverage (multiple angles, slow mo, bunkai). Cheap instructional videos usually retail for close to US$30, better quality typically runs $30-$50, and top quality videos run from $50 to $80 or more!

I know many of you will think that's a rip-off, but not only do people pay these prices, but they love the videos enough to come back again and again! Most of our customers are experienced martial artists, so I'd bet they get more out of them than the average student would. Then again, there are also some excellent videos out there geared toward beginners.

[nemcuon]

Hello.

Sorry for not coming here for a while. I am now learning Goju-Ryu from one of the students of Morio Higaonna. Quite lucky for me to find him around my house.

There are two things new for me, regarding this thread here:

1) I do feel me healthier, being able to focus more in my programming job.

2) Now, I could see that claiming that "I have 6 months in my belt" is somewhat vague, because

- Incorrect: I see how formless and weak I am while performing the easiest Kata of Goju Ryu (Gekisai Dai Ichi)

- Correct: my reaction is good in freestyle fighting with other Goju-Ryu guys.

[Montana]

You can learn the order of the movements in a Kata from a book/DVD, but, you'll not be able to explore and/or understand the who, what, when, where, how, and why of the Kata. You'll not understand the Bunkai of said Kata. You'll not know if you're doing any part of said Kata correctly. You'll not understand how and why the hips are so important.

In general, imho, you'll only be able to imitate the movements, and Kata is so much more than that. To most beginners, a block is just that...a block, but, that's not always the case.

A credible and knowledgeable instructor is needed across the board, not just for Kata.

Why do you move the way that you do? You won't have the TRUE answer to that by yourself.

EXCELLENT!

[JohnASE]

Hello.

Sorry for not coming here for a while. I am now learning Goju-Ryu from one of the students of Morio Higaonna. Quite lucky for me to find him around my house.

There are two things new for me, regarding this thread here:

1) I do feel me healthier, being able to focus more in my programming job.

2) Now, I could see that claiming that "I have 6 months in my belt" is somewhat vague, because

- Incorrect: I see how formless and weak I am while performing the easiest Kata of Goju Ryu (Gekisai Dai Ichi)

- Correct: my reaction is good in freestyle fighting with other Goju-Ryu guys.

Congrats on finding a dojo! We have many IOGKF dojo customers. Don't be surprised if you get a belt or gi with our logo on it!

If you want to supplement your training with videos, Higaonna has about 18 that I can think of off the top of my head. There's the Encyclopedia of Goju Ryu series (10 volumes), the Goju Ryu Technical Series (6 volumes), Power Training, and probably the most popular, Goju Ryu Karate Kata.

Good luck with your training!