Changing a style

[116.ghost-thunder.828]

Okay so I have been getting back into Karate(which I love) but I am not in a Dojo. My mom who is a brown belt but should be a black belt but do to moving was unable to go up for her black belt was unable to get it has started to reteach me in Goju Karate(I took it from 5-7 and stopped at orange belt). However because I've been having problems finding the info I need to better my practice of Goju-ryu I have considered switching to Shotokan(which is at the nearest Dojo) or through usage of books, Judo. What would be some things I should know about making this transition if I choose to do so? Or atleast with learning Goju-ryu?

[Iskrax]

Shotokan is very fast and intense style. The main idea of shotokan is to knock out your opponent with single blow. It has deep stances and transitions. Shotokan uses speed and less force, the main aiming of the training is to fight with extreme speed and not much power. Of course they will learn you how to kick and punch hard. Low kicks are rare, a lot of high kicks, ashi barais. Punches are standart tzukis. Trainings involve a lot of training with partner, kumite, kata and basic form repetitions.

As for Judo, this martial art cannot be trained alone without partner. Of course you could train ukemi (falling techniques) but you need partner for actual throws. Do not even bother training it from books, it is worthless...

I have been training Shotokan for 4 years.

Good luck!

[jaypo]

Shotokan is very fast and intense style. The main idea of shotokan is to knock out your opponent with single blow. It has deep stances and transitions. Shotokan uses speed and less force, the main aiming of the training is to fight with extreme speed and not much power. Of course they will learn you how to kick and punch hard. Low kicks are rare, a lot of high kicks, ashi barais. Punches are standart tzukis. Trainings involve a lot of training with partner, kumite, kata and basic form repetitions.

As for Judo, this martial art cannot be trained alone without partner. Of course you could train ukemi (falling techniques) but you need partner for actual throws. Do not even bother training it from books, it is worthless...

I have been training Shotokan for 4 years.

Good luck!

I trained Shotokan for a couple of years, and we focused on speed AND power. Actually, my Sensei incorporated a lot of Makiwara training and focused more on power than speed. My current Sensei (Shorin Ryu and Shotokan) maintains that Shorin Ryu is more swift than Shotokan meaning it focuses more on speed.

I agree about the Judo training. It's absolutely imperative to have a good partner.

[Alan Armstrong]

Your character may or may not be suitable for Shotokan. You will need to try it out for yourself for a least three months.

The martial art you decide to practice and study need's careful consideration.

Shotokan steps nicely in to kick boxing and MMA.

Body building and Shotokan are also compatible.

Shotokan and self-defense also work well together.

All traditional Japanese hand held weapons will also work well with Shotokan.

There are no short cuts in learning Shotokan. What you put in to it is all you will get out of it.

Results will only come with hard work; good luck!