Shotokan and Goju-Ryu

**massai** · 12-25-2004, 00:37

Hi everyone. I am presently studying Hapkido and hopefully will be studying Jujutsu and Judo. I would also love to learn and practice Karate. Can somebody please tell me more about Shotokan and Goju-Ryu. Which style would you recommended I study, what are the differences between these styles(basics, kata, training, etc.) and will studying a hard style affect my training? Thanks.

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend"
Martin Luther King Jr.

**Spartan** · 12-25-2004, 14:55

Sign your real name. For a moment there I thought you were actaully MLK's son or grandson

**massai** · 12-25-2004, 16:30

Sorry about that

**OkinawaGojuRyu** · 12-29-2004, 01:18

Les ,

I hold Dan rank in both Shotokan , and Goju Ryu ; So , I can give you an honest opinion . I personally would reccomend Goju Ryu . Reason being , as the name indicates , it means hard/soft style . Whereas Shotokan is very hard , & linear . Also , true traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu is very deep , not wide . We do , Kakie which is a form of push hands , which goes into different loocks , throws , etc , which would go well w/ your Hapkido ; we also do bunkai , applications of the movements from within the Kata ; Body conditioning , & Hojo Undo - exercises done w/ traditional OKinawan weights .

David Somers
www.angelfire.com/fl5/okinawagojuryu
www.okinawagojuryu.org

**Ron Rompen** · 12-30-2004, 14:42

I don't have the experience that David does, but I have studied both arts (Hap Ki Do and Goju Ryu (Japanese)) and I agree that they complement each other.

However, I would strongly urge you to limit yourself to ONE martial art at a time, at least for a few years. Get to know your current art well, before trying to add something new.

One of the most difficult problems that I found when I started Goju was the chamber hand.....much higher than what I was used to, and I -=STILL=- don't do it right.

**2groggy** · 12-30-2004, 15:22

I'm looking at this from another angle. Goju Ryu is all that I've ever studied. what does Hapkido have that Goju doesn't? More grappling? More throws? More joint locks? Once I get my Shodan, I'll probably look into cross training involving more of those topics.

Greg Dow

**massai** · 01-02-2005, 19:05

Greg
I dont know much about Goju Ryu so I cant exactly tell you the diffrence between Goju Ryu and Hapkido. Traditional Hapkido is based on Daito Ryu Aikijutsu blended with the kicks of Tae Kyon( A traditional Korean Martial arts on which Taekwondo is based). It is considered a "soft" art and has a wide range of joint locks, throws, grappling, striking and kicking techniques. I hope this information helps you out Greg.

**potentpoefie** · 01-03-2005, 01:41

wide range of joint locks, throws, grappling, striking and kicking techniques

Then I will have to agree with David. Goju will defenitely complement your training.

Been doing Goju for a long time and I must say I am a big fan. Have tried other styles and other martial arts but I always seem to get back to Goju.

**massai** · 01-03-2005, 07:43

okinawagojuryu
Whereas Shotokan is very hard , & linear . Also , true traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu is very deep , not wide
What do you mean by deep?

**OkinawaGojuRyu** · 01-03-2005, 08:34

Many other styles have 20+ Kata in the system , whereas in Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do there are only 12 . We do have other things though , that other styles do not have ; Such as Junbi Undo - traditional warm ups taken from movements within the Kata , Hojo Undo-Supplementary exercises done w/ traditional Okinawan weights , & other training devices , Kakie-push hands , Kotekitaie-Body Conditioning , & there's a wealth of information within the Kata , as well . That is why Goju is deep , but not wide .

David

**SabbathKeeper** · 01-04-2005, 04:08

Originally Posted by potentpoefie

Then I will have to agree with David. Goju will defenitely complement your training.

Been doing Goju for a long time and I must say I am a big fan. Have tried other styles and other martial arts but I always seem to get back to Goju.

Personally, if you already have experience witha soft art I'd go with Shotokan-ryu. If you'd like a look at some of the katas email me and I upload the videos to you.

**potentpoefie** · 01-04-2005, 04:23

Personally, if you already have experience witha soft art I'd go with Shotokan-ryu. If you'd like a look at some of the katas email me and I upload the videos to you.

Thanks.

But I think I will stay right where I am, thanks. I like the more traditional arts and Goju just gives this to you. Like it was mentioned before. It is a very deep syllabus. It offers me Traditional Karate, practical selfdefence (using bungai (spelling?)) and I don't seem to be lacking in the Kumute effents either. (Being a SA Goju Champ in my division and made it to the all styles SA Karate team selection tournament and am a part of the provintional team)

Not that was explicit bragging

Sorry.

So I think Goju serves me just fine.

**massai** · 01-05-2005, 22:56

Thanks alot. Your advice has been very useful.

**J4d3** · 01-06-2005, 02:39

the dojo i attend is going to incorporate goju in its curriculum so i'm excited about that i've been interested in the art for a little while.we have 12 sets from naha te that have been a standard practice as well.

**OkinawaGojuRyu** · 01-06-2005, 05:03

You wrote "we have 12 sets from naha te that have been a standard practice as well."
Then you've probably been doin Goju Ryu all along , since in Goju we have 12 Kata , in the system .
What part of FL are you from , I'm from Tampa , & would'nt mind checking out what you guys do.

David

**maxwell** · 03-25-2005, 09:48

Originally Posted by Ron Rompen

I don't have the experience that David does, but I have studied both arts (Hap Ki Do and Goju Ryu (Japanese)) and I agree that they complement each other.

.

Well , if one already studied the soft art (Hapkido) , why he better take another soft art (Goju Ryu) ... Well my opinion, if one have a chance to take 2 MA Class , one class should be the hard art ( like Shotokan or TKD ) and the other class should be the soft art ( like Hapkido or Aikido ) .... Hard and soft makes a complete MA
Correct me if i am wrong

Maxwell Lee

**OkinawaGojuRyu** · 03-25-2005, 16:52

Goju Ryu means Hard Soft style . It is a blend of hard , & soft . We block soft , & hit hard , as the ol' saying goes. I think if a person was a Hapkido stylist , they would really enjoy Kakie , which is an agreesive form of push hands in Goju Ryu , that we go into different locks , holds , throws , etc.

**CEB** · 03-28-2005, 08:22

Study with the best teacher. Work out with the best dojo.

E Boyd

**Gene Williams** · 03-28-2005, 09:06

Ed's right. It is the sensei and the dojo more than the style. However, if I were counselling someone who had many equally good choices available, I would send them to Goju. It has a longer lineage, a solid tradition of strong fundamentals and kata, and a balance of approaches to self defense. I do like Shotokan. I believe that Shotokan's primary contribution to karate is its emphasis on one powerful, direct technique. I also like their stances as shown in the book, "Karate-Do: The Art of Empty Hand Fighting," by Nishiyama and Brown. Nishiyama has the cleanest stances of anyone I have ever seen. I'm Shito-ryu, but I encourage all my students to buy this book and try to mirror Nishiyama's stances (except for back stance, which we do not use).