If it helps, think of the hook as a more narrowed elliptical motion where the peak of the ellipse sharply starts the other side of the arc. Does that make sense?Ahhh yep I see, cheers for that, makes sense! Yeah I love close up hook kicks
Would certainly bring a whole new meaning to yoko geri XDWe also call it ushiro mawashi geri although the proper spelling is 'keri' but pronounced 'geri'. Geri in Japan does mean diarrhea so I hope we are talking about kicking and not loose stools
Yeah that's a great explanation, makes alot of sense, cheers
. Kyokushin meditation and Kyokushin yoga! Hahaha... imagine that...
I'll be interested in hearing more about this particular one. I've had some interest in Goju for a while, but never got around to investigating.Popped into a new dojo tonight to watch! Was Goju Ryu, and was very cool to see! Quite different in flavour from the Shotokan style from last year!
The class did warmup exercises, then went through kata Gekisai Ichi. They then spent ages doing bunkai practice, breaking up the aspects of the kata, really awesome to see, as I've never done a great deal of bunkai! And it was great to see the instructor (who was very very attentive to all the students and very instructive) really trying to get the students to explore for themselves what the movements could be. She really encouraged them to think outside the box, and really see what actually works. She then went through what it could be, but was great seeing her encourage first just exploring it for themselves before explaining. And they spent alot of time on this too.
They then finished up with about 15 minutes of kumite, just very slow so they can really work on actually seeing the openings, moving off line, but I've never really seen sparring like this before. It was so different, it's hard to explain, but there was a lot more flow to it. Like there was no defined start or endpoint for movements, just a continuous flow and it was really fluid. The instructor used a lot of open hands, and did alot more circular stuff, haito uchi etc. And she encouraged them to use muchimi, which as I understand is more sticky, heavy, flowy way of generating power, rather than 0-100 exploding.
There were about six students training, a Shodan and mostly green belts (unsure what this equates to in Goju). I wouldn't say it was a super intense class at all like others I've tried, but it was fascinating, and it's something I'd love to explore. They offer a two week trial so I'll be in next Wednesday, to give it good go
Yeah I'm interested to see how it will go. Have never seen straight-up (or should that be... circular.... up......) Goju in the flesh. But I liked the principles she was trying to teach.
Very interesting Simon. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sounds like a great first dateWellity! Had my first class tonight at the Goju ryu dojo, it was awesome, really enjoyed it!
It was a different instructor this time, but he had planned prior to have the Sempai take class this time. Sensei still gave input on the side the whole time.
Started off with warmups and a few different exercises- lunges + w/twist, dead bug, wall sits + w/mae geri.
Then they extended a rope across the room, and we did a side plank and yoko geri (side kick) under and over, step up mawashi geri over rope, ducking/weaving under, ducking then cross + backfist.
Then worked on blocks with a partner, but we did something I thought was cool. We used the hand already up as a deflection then the blocking hand takes over (did jodan uke, chudan uchi uke, gedan barai). Then did some footwork with it, stepping off centre as you block. I'd never used the other hand as a deflection before like that (apart from application for mawashi uke), and as we drilled it I could feel it flowing more smoothly as I went.
THEN! Something I'd never done before... Sticky hands! Such a cool practice, and mainly involved keeping our hands touching, and trying to tap the person on the shoulder, and trying stop the other person from doing it. I guess it was working on sensitivity and feeling, using touch to read movement. It was hard to not tense up haha, but they said to keep arms, shoulders and hands relaxed. Then did it in shiko dachi and kneeling too. THEN we did it with eyes closed which was challenging, but very educational!
We then did some slow-paced sparring- one side attacking the other defending, only hands, only feet (defending with legs only too which I'd never done before), then both, then freestyle. They emphasised flowing movement, being relaxed, deflections and stepping off centre.
Finished with lots glute work on all fours. Increeedibly challenging and hard work haha..
The sensei was very attentive, had a good sense of humour, and was constantly checking with me to stop if I need to (as I'd told him about my pelvic condition). He still pushed us hard but acknowledged injuries people had. He came from Shotokan, and he said it was very hard style like Kyokushin. His transition to Goju was challenging, as he had alot of new ways of moving and so on to learn.
He didn't see the need to destroy people in training, and said their Goju gradings are tough, but people are more sore afterwards from muscular fatigue but never injured.
I could definitely see myself training here
. ), so stay tuned! It won't be much longer I hope till I've found my place.
Sounds like a great place. Is it at the top of the list at this point?Well that's it for my 2 week trial! I really really enjoyed it!
The last two classes we did padwork combos, focusing on closing the distance and entering in more and more, and eventually into a clinch with knees etc. Really about jamming or "crashing" into them to disrupt their hook punch attacks.
Also did stick kumite! That was a really new experience for me haha, have never wielded a stick before, then we tried with two sticks each. So many different things to be aware of, and obviously the distance between people is greater.
We also worked on some Goju kata that I'd never done. Their Taikyoku katas are different to the usual, it's still the same 'H' or 'I' pattern, but they have Taikyoku Jodan, Chudan, Gedan, Kake uke, and Mawashi uke versions. Quite liked them, something I'm going to practice. Then did Gekisai Ichi which I knew but quite enjoyed the variations and how they did it.
All in all a very friendly club, attentive, train hard and push you hard, but aren't a fan of destroying you, made sure to take injuries and safety into account, and really great facilities and centre that they operate in too. Still had a traditional feel and practice to it which I really dig, but were still casual enough to not have it feel too overwhelmingly serious. I actually learned quite alot in this short two weeks!
They did emphasize that Goju is close quarters/range, and pretty much everything that I've ever read about the differences between Goju ryu and Shotokan are actually pretty spot on from my experience of these last two clubs I've tried. I'm still really drawn to the Shotokan style, love the big dynamic, powerful moves, speed, crispness... but also appreciate the Goju emphasis on circular movements, deflections, close-in, soft/hard balance. Just unsure how my body would hold up to a Shotokan-type style, but only time and practice will tell.
There are few others on my list I wanted to try out (I know, I've really drawn it out, but I have a process, and I'm trusting and following it
That sounds like a pretty extensive list of stuff to get through in one class - you guys must have been moving the whole time. Fun!Wellity! Had my first class tonight at the Goju ryu dojo, it was awesome, really enjoyed it!
It was a different instructor this time, but he had planned prior to have the Sempai take class this time. Sensei still gave input on the side the whole time.
Started off with warmups and a few different exercises- lunges + w/twist, dead bug, wall sits + w/mae geri.
Then they extended a rope across the room, and we did a side plank and yoko geri (side kick) under and over, step up mawashi geri over rope, ducking/weaving under, ducking then cross + backfist.
Then worked on blocks with a partner, but we did something I thought was cool. We used the hand already up as a deflection then the blocking hand takes over (did jodan uke, chudan uchi uke, gedan barai). Then did some footwork with it, stepping off centre as you block. I'd never used the other hand as a deflection before like that (apart from application for mawashi uke), and as we drilled it I could feel it flowing more smoothly as I went.
THEN! Something I'd never done before... Sticky hands! Such a cool practice, and mainly involved keeping our hands touching, and trying to tap the person on the shoulder, and trying stop the other person from doing it. I guess it was working on sensitivity and feeling, using touch to read movement. It was hard to not tense up haha, but they said to keep arms, shoulders and hands relaxed. Then did it in shiko dachi and kneeling too. THEN we did it with eyes closed which was challenging, but very educational!
We then did some slow-paced sparring- one side attacking the other defending, only hands, only feet (defending with legs only too which I'd never done before), then both, then freestyle. They emphasised flowing movement, being relaxed, deflections and stepping off centre.
Finished with lots glute work on all fours. Increeedibly challenging and hard work haha..
The sensei was very attentive, had a good sense of humour, and was constantly checking with me to stop if I need to (as I'd told him about my pelvic condition). He still pushed us hard but acknowledged injuries people had. He came from Shotokan, and he said it was very hard style like Kyokushin. His transition to Goju was challenging, as he had alot of new ways of moving and so on to learn.
He didn't see the need to destroy people in training, and said their Goju gradings are tough, but people are more sore afterwards from muscular fatigue but never injured.
I could definitely see myself training here
It's definitely up there for sure! The Shotokan place, this one, and the first style I tried (the Aiki-karate one) are up there, the others I didn't feel as close to.
The more I learn about Goju, the more sense it makes that Bowe was drawn to NGA.
I am sure you know, Goju Ryu, is as close to Kyokushin as any of the Okinawan karate systems go. Although from practical experience, Kyokushin practitioners usually put too much "Go" and not enough "Ju".Well that's it for my 2 week trial! I really really enjoyed it!
The last two classes we did padwork combos, focusing on closing the distance and entering in more and more, and eventually into a clinch with knees etc. Really about jamming or "crashing" into them to disrupt their hook punch attacks.
Also did stick kumite! That was a really new experience for me haha, have never wielded a stick before, then we tried with two sticks each. So many different things to be aware of, and obviously the distance between people is greater.
We also worked on some Goju kata that I'd never done. Their Taikyoku katas are different to the usual, it's still the same 'H' or 'I' pattern, but they have Taikyoku Jodan, Chudan, Gedan, Kake uke, and Mawashi uke versions. Quite liked them, something I'm going to practice. Then did Gekisai Ichi which I knew but quite enjoyed the variations and how they did it.
All in all a very friendly club, attentive, train hard and push you hard, but aren't a fan of destroying you, made sure to take injuries and safety into account, and really great facilities and centre that they operate in too. Still had a traditional feel and practice to it which I really dig, but were still casual enough to not have it feel too overwhelmingly serious. I actually learned quite alot in this short two weeks!
They did emphasize that Goju is close quarters/range, and pretty much everything that I've ever read about the differences between Goju ryu and Shotokan are actually pretty spot on from my experience of these last two clubs I've tried. I'm still really drawn to the Shotokan style, love the big dynamic, powerful moves, speed, crispness... but also appreciate the Goju emphasis on circular movements, deflections, close-in, soft/hard balance. Just unsure how my body would hold up to a Shotokan-type style, but only time and practice will tell.
There are few others on my list I wanted to try out (I know, I've really drawn it out, but I have a process, and I'm trusting and following it
