Tried JKA Shotokan Karate

[Dani_001]

So, monday night I went to try out JKA. The seniors are 7 black belts and one brown.

They were training for JKA South African Champs. The winners of those will advance to the World Champs.

Those karateka tired me out big time, it was really fun and they all made me feel welcome. I am going tonight for another complimentary class then I will decide if I am going to also do Shotokan.

My Goju Ryu is also coming along nicely, will post more on this in my Goju Ryu post.

[millhilldojo]

It sounds like a quality club to join my friend, if the senior sensei's are training at national level and preparing for international level then you could only presume these guys are at the pinnacle of their game. I love all styles of martial arts and don't really have a preference but shotokan is really growing on me at the moment, I hail from a Goju background myself and I am totally blind, my PT who I work with daily is from a Wadu Ryu background but also has trained in Shotokan and is currently teaching me all the shotokan kata and I love the hard direct approach they use, makes a refreshing change from the curvy sanchin dachi's and mawashi uke's all the time in goju.

[Dani_001]

Yeah I will be the only white belt but I think that will influence me to also become better at what I do. There's nothing wrong with training Karate everyday for me. But I will have to make a calculated decision.

The major differences are ready stance when presenting yourself or a kata, and some stances.

All his students are aspiring to become better, you can see it in the class even. This sensei is SA Champion for both kata and kumite, he's retired from sporting aspect.

[wagnerk]

Cool, glad you're trying out Shotokan

[Dani_001]

I really enjoyed it. But I don't wanna do too much and get ahead of myself cos I already have gym routines in the mornings.

Personal time for training kata is also very important and don't wanna get caught with no time to do any kata practice.

[cheesefrysamurai]

The great thing is that, in training training your goju, you are honing the stances, and strikes you may need if you ever decide to pick up shotokan.

Besides, shotokan will always be there.

Good luck

[Mokita]

Besides, shotokan will always be there.

True, but JKA is always advancing it's techniques so there is a danger of falling behind if you don't train often.

[Dani_001]

True, but JKA is always advancing it's techniques so there is a danger of falling behind if you don't train often.

The Sensei did inform me of what you are saying here. He said they also do a bit of ground fighting as well.