Safroot Posted January 29, 2014 Author Posted January 29, 2014 A quick look through the responses to date....and looks like GKR don't get a good rap. As most have said before - they are family orientated; they do enlist door to door; they do advocate non-contact; they do heavily promote growth via new dojo locations with inexperienced sensei and it does appear to be heavily structured as a pyramid business structure.Having said that some of these attributes suit some people. I know of a family that train in GKR and they like the family atmosphere, they have broad social networks with other members that have developed as a result of the club. They wouldn't want to train in a "contact" style MA and wouldn't consider leaving the club after some 5 years duration. I know of some clubs that openly advertise "we are non-contact". This obviously appeals to some parents as this guy has a good student base.Personally I wouldn't go near them. The clinker for me was when Robert Sullivan self graded - He awarded 3rd to 6th dan grades to himself. His 7th and 8th dan was awarded by his senior instructors. Surly he could have put an independent panel together at some point Maybe have a look at him in action for yourself and form your own opinion: I know age wearies us all, but I would rate this as Shodan level personally...I suspect he must have some lower ranking members that do have some ability to uphold the technical standard required, or alternatively, there is no real depth of technical standard within the organisation because it can't be coming from this guy IMO...I met one of their reps before and I was going to join them because I had no idea about karate at this stage. Then I found this nice forum that gave me a better understanding of karate with a lot of very useful opinions from many helpful members. I love this forum "The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle." Sosai Mas Oyama founder of Kyokushin Karate.
Safroot Posted January 29, 2014 Author Posted January 29, 2014 Hi Safroot and all, For the past while I have been reading alot about GKR on their site and on forums. from what I gather they are a pyramid system of clubs that put juniors in charge of classes so funds can be funneled up the chain to the creator. they are a mish mash of Goju and Shotokan and both depth of teh arts is lacking from what I have seen.Now, I have seen some "Sensei" out of that program as low as yellow or orange belt teaching small groups. How can you teach what you dont fully know? I would RUN out of that class as fast as I can.As far as separation by sex, age ext...its horrible. I would say that all the reasons to train with someone bigger or faster or more likely to assault you would be the attraction not a reason to not spar with someone not built like you or not the same gender. IN my club you check your gender at the door and train with everyone based on your skill level not what gender you are. Chito is strong in Canada and Ihave much respect for it, its a bit strange in the history department but the practice is fine! I would jump at chito with both feet!Totally agree with you. GKR has no less than 35-40 training locations only in Sydney . There is no single traditional dojo here in Sydney as I know of, they are renting school halls and playgrounds. "The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle." Sosai Mas Oyama founder of Kyokushin Karate.
kensei Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 Totally agree with you. GKR has no less than 35-40 training locations only in Sydney . There is no single traditional dojo here in Sydney as I know of, they are renting school halls and playgrounds. Some great instructors teach out of school halls and community clubs, but I am a bit scared of those that dont hold a decent enough understanding of Karat trying to teach it. J Even monkeys fall from trees
AusRonin Posted January 30, 2014 Posted January 30, 2014 Totally agree with you. GKR has no less than 35-40 training locations only in Sydney . There is no single traditional dojo here in Sydney as I know of, they are renting school halls and playgrounds. The venue should not be the issue. Way back when before Karate had a name it was practiced / taught in back yards or an individual's home. A formal "traditional Dojo" is not a prerequisite for undertaking training. What is required is an individual (read as instructor) that can impart knowledge that is acquired after years and years of accepting knowledge themselves, processing that knowledge, testing it and putting it into practice. This is where I believe the GKR model falls down. 35-40 locations each being taught by a low ranking student that is not qualified to lead a congo line is a problem IMO. "Nothing is more harmful to the world than a martial art that is not effective in actual self-defense" - Motobu Choki"Karate has no philosophy. Some people think that the tradition of Karate came from Buddhism and Karate has a connection to the absolute, space and universe, but I don't believe that. My philosophy is to knock my opponent out, due to the use of only one technique. One finishing blow!" - Mikio Yahara
Safroot Posted January 30, 2014 Author Posted January 30, 2014 Some great instructors teach out of school halls and community clubs, but I am a bit scared of those that dont hold a decent enough understanding of Karat trying to teach it. JTotally agree "The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle." Sosai Mas Oyama founder of Kyokushin Karate.
Safroot Posted January 30, 2014 Author Posted January 30, 2014 This is where I believe the GKR model falls down. 35-40 locations each being taught by a low ranking student that is not qualified to lead a congo line is a problem IMO. Totally agree with you. Lucky me I found a good class somewhere else "The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle." Sosai Mas Oyama founder of Kyokushin Karate.
Hawkmoon Posted January 30, 2014 Posted January 30, 2014 GKR came around a few years back door knocking on doors 'selling' there system.At that time I'd never heard of them, so I was happy to chat with him to find out more about them and what they offered.The alarms bells went off in my head when I added into the conversation by own background in Kyokushin, this clearly made him happy!I was promptly offer the opportunity to come and teach !...after I paid him the joining fee and signed up for a 3 mths of lessons to earn a black belt, all up front first of coarse!.He was polity sent on his way. (seriously! polity no insult no harm, very civil!)He went on his merry way!My son lives a few doors away and came over a week or so later, seems his had found some paperwork and credit card payments made to something called 'GKR' and he wanted my view on it all.I could not honestly offer any good or bad comments as my only experience was an overly excited caller at my door.His missus took teh children to the training hall, and were asked to sit to the side to watch the class.Afterwards they were asked if this was the sort of thing they were looking for?she replied yes, with all her 1 hr or experience of MA!They went back and for three months they did what they did.The kids coma over to me to show off there new skills, all full of beans and proud of what they had be taught!I was happy they were happy, proud even that they had developed the courage/confidence to show off there new found skills.We spent about 30mins doing stuff, before it was time for dinner.My son came back later and explained they had learned more with me in 30 mins than they had with GKR in 3 mths! “A human life gains luster and strength only when it is polished and tempered.”Sosai Masutatsu Oyama (1923 - 1994) Founder of Kyokushin Karate.
andym Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 ....own background in Kyokushin, this clearly made him happy! I was promptly offer the opportunity to come and teach ! ...after I paid him the joining fee and signed up for a 3 mths of lessons to earn a black belt, all up front first of coarse!. I rest my case..... If you believe in an ideal. You don't own it ; it owns you.
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