Journey to a new style...

Had a special extended class today, my instructor got me to run the extended class for all the black belts. Went over Sepai, principles, bunkai + applications.

For the leg sweep section I threw one of the 17 year old junior shodan-hos MULTIPLE times onto the ground (and obviously taught too haha) and he was smiling the whole time, as he was a junior and hadn't experienced the application side of kata. Said he absolutely loved the session haha, warmed my heart :)
 
_Simon_ said:
Had a special extended class today, my instructor got me to run the extended class for all the black belts. Went over Sepai, principles, bunkai + applications.

For the leg sweep section I threw one of the 17 year old junior shodan-hos MULTIPLE times onto the ground (and obviously taught too haha) and he was smiling the whole time, as he was a junior and hadn't experienced the application side of kata. Said he absolutely loved the session haha, warmed my heart :)
Click to expand...
So the bully has finally emerged 🤨😉 Fun, innit?
 
Been awhile! Struggling here and there training-wise so revisiting my deeper contemplations on training..

Updates:

-Had an incredible 2 hour sparring class at the end of last term, we don't spar a great deal so this was awesome. I diiiid however get punched in the throat haha.. total accident, but it took a full 2 weeks before my throat healed and until it didn't hurt when I swallowed! Honestly in all my years of sparring that has never happened before. Me and one of the other black belts tend to go a bit hard when we pair up haha, but total accident, a good learning experience!

-Decided to..... enter a tournament!! It's been a while... holy crap just looked up that it was 4 years ago 😱. This one is actually a local one that I've wanted to compete in for awhile, but I remember getting COVID prior to one, and then something else came up for the other. But wanted to try a different organisation's tournament than one I'm used to. It's still an all-styles tournament, and in about 3 weeks.

For now I've only entered the forms division, but I'm waiting to see if anyone enters the continuous sparring (last year there were zero competitors in my division!), but hoping to enter this too.
 
_Simon_ said:
Been awhile! Struggling here and there training-wise so revisiting my deeper contemplations on training..
Click to expand...
Ah, those struggles happen. I've been struggling with consistency this year, what with injuries and illnesses. Listen to your body and get back when you're ready!

You'll do great in that tournament I'm sure!
 
isshinryuronin said:
Which kata are you considering?
Click to expand...
Ah! I'm glad you asked!

I've been really leaning towards either Sepai or Seisan... really love both of those and I feel they really showcase Goju and its depth, and also the uniqueness with which we do it in our lineage. Shisochin is also there, but the other two moreso..

This will also be the first time competing in the black belt/advanced bracket, as 4 years ago I think I competed as 2nd or 1st kyu. I did Sanseiru then and won, but want to do a "higher up" kata now so to speak, more reflective of where I'm at.

That's the thing, I don't want to cater to doing flashy kata or ones that would impress necessarily, but anytime I've competed I've done a kata that I really connect with and feel super comfortable with, like it's an extension or expression of me. Except that time I did Seiunchin. That I don't really connect with as much or feel super comfortable with 🤣. But yeah something that really displays the style, principles and that I feel deeply.

Would always appreciate your thoughts @isshinryuronin :)
 
_Simon_ said:
I've been really leaning towards either Sepai or Seisan... really love both of those and I feel they really showcase Goju and its depth, and also the uniqueness with which we do it in our lineage. Shisochin is also there, but the other two moreso..
Click to expand...
If you're comfortable with sepai, I'd recommend that for open competition as it's more dynamic than the others and IMO would have greater appeal to judges from other styles (who may not be able to appreciate goju "uniqueness"). Good luck.
 
Last edited:
isshinryuronin said:
If you're comfortable with sepai, I'd recommend that for open competition as it's more dynamic than the others and IMO would have greater appeal to judges from other styles (who may not be able to appreciate goju "uniqueness"). Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks mate, I think the organisation is mainly a sports karate one but is open to all styles, but that makes alot of sense anyway, appreciate that!
 
_Simon_ said:
Been awhile! Struggling here and there training-wise so revisiting my deeper contemplations on training..

Updates:

-Had an incredible 2 hour sparring class at the end of last term, we don't spar a great deal so this was awesome. I diiiid however get punched in the throat haha.. total accident, but it took a full 2 weeks before my throat healed and until it didn't hurt when I swallowed! Honestly in all my years of sparring that has never happened before. Me and one of the other black belts tend to go a bit hard when we pair up haha, but total accident, a good learning experience!

-Decided to..... enter a tournament!! It's been a while... holy crap just looked up that it was 4 years ago 😱. This one is actually a local one that I've wanted to compete in for awhile, but I remember getting COVID prior to one, and then something else came up for the other. But wanted to try a different organisation's tournament than one I'm used to. It's still an all-styles tournament, and in about 3 weeks.

For now I've only entered the forms division, but I'm waiting to see if anyone enters the continuous sparring (last year there were zero competitors in my division!), but hoping to enter this too.
Click to expand...
Glad your throat is feeling better Simon! That's not a spot I would want to get punched. My last minor injury was during my brown belt test. I was sparring with one of the sensei's and launched a roundhouse kick which he blocked with his elbow/forearm. It broke the skin on his arm and left my shin aching for a few weeks. The swelling lasted for a while too. We try to protect ourselves and be safe but in martial arts things happen! I am going to go practice on Tuesday night, and then on Friday my school is having a seminar.
 
The schedule is out for this Sunday!! Unfortunately no one in my division for the continuous contact sparring, but 6 competitors listed for the forms division, looking forward to it!! There are competitors in the point sparring but wasn't really interested in that this time round.

Battling a heel injury has made it difficult but have trained as hard as I could and am as ready as I can be (So okay... I did a spinning back kick on my bag which was positioned against the corner wall in my garage, hit it slightly off centre, sliding off and kicked... the brick wall. Still hasn't fully recovered 2.5 weeks later!! Maybe good that I ain't sparring!)
 
_Simon_ said:
Battling a heel injury has made it difficult but have trained as hard as I could and am as ready as I can be (So okay... I did a spinning back kick on my bag which was positioned against the corner wall in my garage, hit it slightly off centre, sliding off and kicked... the brick wall. Still hasn't fully recovered 2.5 weeks later!! Maybe good that I ain't sparring!)
Click to expand...
Trained on brick walls, kicking ribcages will be like kicking butter! 👊
 
Far out... got gold 😭😭😭. It was a roller-coaster, the division being pushed forward almost 30mins and not really warming up properly, and me being up very last to perform out of the 7 people haha (another entrant joined). Honestly didn't expect that result, it was a very high quality division and competitors, including 2 5th dans, and many 3rd and 2nd dans.... but I left everything out there on the mats and really happy with my form. Very professionally run event too, really enjoyed that they have an approximate schedule time up online that you can keep tabs on.

Very proud to represent my style and club. Very emotional 🥹
 
_Simon_ said:
Far out... got gold 😭😭😭. It was a roller-coaster, the division being pushed forward almost 30mins and not really warming up properly, and me being up very last to perform out of the 7 people haha (another entrant joined). Honestly didn't expect that result, it was a very high quality division and competitors, including 2 5th dans, and many 3rd and 2nd dans.... but I left everything out there on the mats and really happy with my form. Very professionally run event too, really enjoyed that they have an approximate schedule time up online that you can keep tabs on.

Very proud to represent my style and club. Very emotional 🥹
Click to expand...
Awesome! Great to hear about a well ran event as well.
 
_Simon_ said:
Far out... got gold 😭😭😭. It was a roller-coaster, the division being pushed forward almost 30mins and not really warming up properly, and me being up very last to perform out of the 7 people haha (another entrant joined). Honestly didn't expect that result, it was a very high quality division and competitors, including 2 5th dans, and many 3rd and 2nd dans.... but I left everything out there on the mats and really happy with my form. Very professionally run event too, really enjoyed that they have an approximate schedule time up online that you can keep tabs on.

Very proud to represent my style and club. Very emotional 🥹
Click to expand...
Congratulations and well done my friend!
 
Okay! After months, and months, and.... months of working up the courage haha.. contacted that Kyokushin dojo that I did the fight seminar at in October who have sparring/pads/conditioning nights, and I finally went to one last night!!

I was soooo anxious but I really enjoyed it. Was very intense and challenging haha, and mostly did bagwork and drills and finished with rounds of sparring. They were super welcoming and everyone was great. Not every week, but I'm definitely going to drop in from time to time to develop things that I've really missed doing which we don't do in my dojo much.

Again, this feels like a coming home full circle, so this will be very fruitful to explore for my development as a martial artist... and carving my own path.

Also my knuckle skin is all torn up, did not realise you shouldn't wear MMA-style gloves for bagwork, how did I miss this haha. I've always noticed this happens from lots of bagwork and I always thought it was because my gloves might be too small, but apparently it's just a no-no in general unless I had hand wraps to cover my knuckles.
 
Just went to a Fight Night fund-raiser at the same Kyokushin dojo from 2 weeks ago, 25x rounds of kumite.. aaaand I did it haha. Completed all rounds, was a nervous wreck aaall of today haha (well last few days), but once I got started it was so fine, and so, so much fun.

Really really challenging night, but really wanted to firstly reconnect with my old training, and also integrate what I know now (and  who I am now) into this environment. Goju worked really really well, I felt super relaxed, fluid and was able to use connection and sensitivity alot to gauge their movement. Flowing between stable and mobile, hard+soft... Stoked. Am very proud of myself.

That being said I certainly was humbled and got dropped a few times haha, they didn't go easy on me but were a super respectful and controlled bunch of people. Learned alot!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Martial Talk Forum Favs ⭐ View All

Similar threads

MadMartigan
Special Belt for Experienced Students From Other Schools/Similar Styles
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
Gyakuto
Gyakuto
R
What to do.
Replies
16
Views
3K
Prince_Alarming
Prince_Alarming
Xue Sheng
Feel the need to train
Replies
13
Views
2K
Xue Sheng
Xue Sheng
K
Transfer before or after BB?
Replies
17
Views
3K
Kenpo66
K
Xue Sheng
Long time CMA guy tries Kobudo
Replies
1
Views
418
Prince_Alarming
Prince_Alarming

Latest Discussions

Back
Top