Some Questions...

[Chunkstyle]

I have been studying CMAs for a long time, then due to work and some family problems I had to leave the school. My work schedule still prohibits me from going back because my former Sifu only holds 2 classes a week. I want to get back into training in the martial arts especially seeing as I have lost almost 100 pounds. The first martial art I studied was Shotokan Karate when I was a little kid. One of my new co-workers trained in Goju (I think its called) Karate for 11 years before moving to Minnesota. He has convinced me to give the Japanese arts a shot, so here are my questions.

1. What are the differences between the styles of Karate?
2. Which are the traditional ones and the sport ones?


I am looking for something traditional or applicable. Its not that I don't like competing, I just also want some serious self-defense. I do armed security in Minneapolis so flashy spinning 540 back kicks wouldn't do me much good. Basically the big thing is this- I 6'4 tall and weigh 240 pounds, what is a good traditional style that I can train in that emphasizes self-defense, discipline, connecting the mind and the body, and provides a good work out?

Thanks for listening to my prattling.

[Gene Williams]

I have been studying CMAs for a long time, then due to work and some family problems I had to leave the school. My work schedule still prohibits me from going back because my former Sifu only holds 2 classes a week. I want to get back into training in the martial arts especially seeing as I have lost almost 100 pounds. The first martial art I studied was Shotokan Karate when I was a little kid. One of my new co-workers trained in Goju (I think its called) Karate for 11 years before moving to Minnesota. He has convinced me to give the Japanese arts a shot, so here are my questions.

1. What are the differences between the styles of Karate?
2. Which are the traditional ones and the sport ones?


I am looking for something traditional or applicable. Its not that I don't like competing, I just also want some serious self-defense. I do armed security in Minneapolis so flashy spinning 540 back kicks wouldn't do me much good. Basically the big thing is this- I 6'4 tall and weigh 240 pounds, what is a good traditional style that I can train in that emphasizes self-defense, discipline, connecting the mind and the body, and provides a good work out?

Thanks for listening to my prattling.

1. Find an Okinawan style (Shorin ryu, Goju ryu, Shito ryu, Uechi ryu, etc) and the differences won't matter that much to a beginner. They are both too many and too subtle to get into in detail.

2. This depends more on the dojo and organization than on the style. All styles have instructors who are sport oriented and others who are not. You should be able to tell from observing a class and asking a few questions. Hint: a window full of trophies=sport karate.:D

[Chunkstyle]

Thanks. I was looking that way. I already know to stay away from the big franchises. Thank you though.

[hamzaabdulmatin@]

Well, I train in okinawan goju ryu, and I love it. I find it to be very good for what you are looking for due to the short stances and the emphasis on hard and soft techniques. I also train in shotokan. Shotokan stresses alot on the hard techniques and the straight forward approach. Where in goju ryu, we do alot of angle techniques that you would find in the southern forms of kung-fu.

[Chunkstyle]

That sounds good to me. DO you know of any good schools in the Twin Cities area?

[Chunkstyle]

That sounds good to me. Do you know of any good schools in the Twin Cities area?

[Chunkstyle]

Sorry about the double post.