Hello karate enthisiasts!!! There are lots of karate styles and I'm curious how many we have here.So, what style do you do?
I do Okinawan Gou-Ryu 15yrs. currently Nidan.

YAY!! Karate forum!!

Sanchin,

I am a "lapsed" Uechi-ryu practitioner. (Broke a wrist just before my purple belt test & eventually moved on to hapkido)

HOWEVER, I am STILL an active Uechi fighter and turn up regularly at my old dojo to take on all comers (seriously).

Don't think there are many Uechi-ryu folks here but I'm interested to know.

I do shotokan karate (7 years 1st Dan).

Okinawa Kenpo Karate- Nidan (11 years on and off)

Seiei Kan mainly, with some experiance in shorin ryu and shotokan. I'm currently interested in studying goju ryu methods, and am looking for an instructor around here. It's good to finally have a karate forum.

GojuRyu
Influence: Morio Higaonna
Sensei: Roger Labbe & Dan McCook
1974-1984
ShoDan

ShitoRyu Shukokai
Influence & Sensei: Shigeru Kimura
1984-1988
NiDan

1988-1990 US Army (Boxing team)
1991-1994 College (Shotokan team)
1995-2005 Fatherhood and Career years
Intermittent self study/seminars
Lived in Nara,Japan for about 4 years and
visit every other summer.

ShorinRyu Matsubayashi
Influence: Ansei Ueshiro
Hanshi: Robert Scaglione
<1yr present
RoKyu

Particular Interests:
Okinawan/Japanese Karate-Do (all styles)
Kata topics
Body mechanics/science
History/Chinese origins of Karate
Humor/Sarcasm/Irony

Dislikes:
Politics in MA
Big Business in MA
Competition-centric MA
Style-blindness
McDojo's

I am a practicioner of Isshin-ryu Karate. 5th kyu Green belt. 3rd generation student of Grandmaster Shimabuku.

Wadoryu, Nidan. I also think Sanchin31 would be a good choice for moderator should admin deem this section needs one.
Sharon

wado ryu nidan - 25 years of study

Isshinryu karate.

Shoto Ryu
20 Years

Infuenced by Shorin and Tomari-te

Would also serve as a moderator if needed

Well it's about time! Thank you administrators! They said the upgrades would would bring dramatic improvement and TAADAA... Here it is!

I think Sharon is spot on with the nomination for Sanchin31 for moderator. I would definately second that!

Back to topic: 16 years of Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito-Sandan. 6 years of KajuKenpo-Shodan.

I travel quite a lot in my work and and have had the pleasure and privledge of training with many other fine instructors of various styles on Asia,North/South America and Europe.

Page

Kenpo jutsu
nidan
kobudo
nikkyu

Shotokan and I am a Nidan. I am really glad to see we have a karate forum.

I practice the styles, sanchin, naihanchi, pinan, (taikyoku), Irish bareknuckle Boxing, Siu Nim Tao - WC I no longer practice the chum kiu biu jee or wooden dummy set, .. I have certified rank in various karate/tkd styles but I dont acknowledge them one bit.

8 years total Okinawan Karate, with a focus on Shuri Ryu Karatedo and Kobudo.

Kobayashi Shorin-ryu, 15 years, sandan. And just my opinion, but the website's upgrade looks great, the addition of a Karate forum is long overdue and very much appreciated, and congratulations to Sanchin31 for his selection as moderator. Well-deserved. - Gene

Traditional Shito-Ryu 11 yrs.
Various other styles <1yrs

Matsumura-Seito Shorin Ryu. (5 years, shodan)

Shotokan, 3years, I would love to start Muay Thai and BJJ.

Hello!!!
Shinkyokushin Karate, Japan.

Shito-ryu Shukokai, Total training: 28 yrs., 4 Dan

6 years American Kenpo Karate- blue belt.

I have also trained with instructors in Shotokan, Wado Kai, and Aikido, Along with a few whose styles I've forgotten (they were only one or two time sessions, just enough to learn a little more.)

7 years american goju as well as combat submission wrestling.

Koryu Uchinadi nowadays

Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu -- 25 years

before i did ma my older brother taught me a bit of boxing.

did 2 years judo but only got to 3rd mon due to location difficulties( im in foster care y'see) so i missed quite a few gradings. now 7 months okinawan goju, ungraded but i joined a club a few days ago.

i know geki sai 1, geki sai 2 and saifa, i learnt saifa in 2 lessons, is that good?

Been a while,

I study and teach Shorin Ko Ryu Karate Justsu. I am a Shihan
and have been at it for 33 years. Anything I can offer just ask.
I usually only read, but if someone wants my opinion just ask.

Thanks,
Peter

I used to do goju ryu karate with an instructor who had 50 years experience.

[now he does silat, yay.]

Edited due to stupid rambling and art bashing.

Maybe it wasn't the art (karate) that lacked in certain areas, but the instructor?
Sharon

I have studied Shotokan karate made orange belt. I have been Isshinryu for 5yrs. I'm an ik kyu waiting to test for Sho dan. I teach @ our dojo for sensei when he is out unsupervised. I know 10 of our 14 kata and learning the tonfa now.

Peter, I am interested in hearing a little more about Shorin Ko Ryu karate jutsu.

I was wondering if you would post about the style, maybe some history and lineage or anything else you would care to share about its particular uniqueness.

Thanks,

Page

Hello ppl,
I'm from Chile, and i speak/write a little of english.
I'm a begginer of Karate-budo Shotokai (yes, not shotoKAN). In the next month i spect to be a "white-yellow" belt =)
My instructor is Sempai Renzzo Belmar, and my Sensei is Humberto Heyden. I hope to spend a lot of time here!


pd: www.shotokai.com - www.shotokai.cl ^^

Glad to have you Camilo!

Hello I study shito ryu, have also studied Wado Ryu.

Absolutely love it!

great our own section !

I study shorin ryu in the UK, previously studied shito ryu and shukokai karate.


Look forward to some decent debate and discussions with you all

yours in karate

Shorin-ryu - 1st Kyu 1969-1971 Sensei Derick Scoot
TangsooDo - Shodan 2 years 1970-1972 Sambu Mike Williams
Okinawan Shorei-Kan Goju-ry Godan 1972-2005 Master Akria Kawakamize, Master Rod Wilson, Master Radaharu.

White Crane, Mantis, WC, Hungar, Pakau, Gung-fu, Judo/Jujitsu, JKD, Boxing, wrestlng, Filopina Sagola, Escrima/Silat. Prepetual student for life.

Shorin Ryu. I think it's Heiro kan or Hiero kan.I just started.

I cross train Isshin-ryu Karate and Kodokan Judo.

I study Ryounkai (Nippon Bogu) Karate. Currently a 8th kyu. Next month hopefully 7th kyu.
Next to that I just started taking Kobudo classes in january.

I do Isshinryu karate...2yrs and half...my sensei was student of master long for 20yrs...5 degree black belt
i am from brazil but he is american x} and i am 15yrs old x}
oh i am green belt

Machimura Sui-di

Kishaba Juku
Yamanni Bojutsu

Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu

I love that you gave the Okinawan name. But aren't you afraid it will confuse people?

Page

Shotokan-2yrs and counting (currently low green)

Shitoryu Shukokai - 15 years Sandan - I train with the Shitoryu Shukokai Union in England. In the 1970's I trained for 3 years doing KUGB Shotokan. (Yes, I am old)

chito ryu

chito ryu yoshukai

Ryukyu Kempo 5+ years was due for black tip but Sensei is in process of changing dojo to Koryu Uchinadi so its back to white belt for all.
Sensei very open minded, so have been fortuneate to also do basic Arnis.
Have done workshops in other styles - but this only gives one a limited appreciation of each style.

So letting go of ego and walking thru a new door........

Currently, Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu--5 yrs. Shodan
Tae Kwon Do 7 yrs. 1st degree black.

2-3 years ago i started Shoku-kai Karate. made it to 8 Kyu. i stopped for a year due to transport problems. Now i have been training for about 2 months in Budoshinkai Karate. im currently (probationary) 7 Kyu in this style. <3 <3 <3

Approx 8 years of American Kenpo Karate with brief expossure to Shotokan.

Well, I guess I've done enough reading, and it's time to start asking questions, so here's my introduction.

I started TKD in 1982 as an 8-year old, continued that for the next 10 years. I got to 1st Dan, and while I continued to study, I never bothered to test for anything more. I kind of regret that, now.

Went to college and studied Shudokan Karate-Do for 4 years. (Well, my teacher called it Shudokan, because his teacher studied with Toyama Kanken. His teacher, a Korean, used Karate, Tang Soo Do, and Taekwondo almost interchangably. Go figure.) I learned his entire syllabus up to 1st Dan, but never formally tested. I regret that a little, too.

I did some wrestling, boxing, military combatives, Judo, and Aikido during college, too.

After college, I was in the Navy for 6 years, so I trained with whoever and in whatever was available. Learned a bit of Hapkido in addition to the stuff I've already listed. I wish I'd taken more advantage of a few of those teachers, now, too.

After the Navy, I taught sport-oriented TKD for a couple of years before burning out on the tournament scene, moved to Kickboxing for a time (Had 3 amateur fights, and one exhibition match with a IKF World Champ. He taught me some important lessons in the span of 2 minutes. Then he knocked me over the ropes.) Then I moved on to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for a few years.

In 2003, I had the opportunity to do some Silat (with a little Indonesian fellow of Victor Smith's acquaintance) and in the course of 2 hours, my eyes were opened. I felt that I finally understood how the TKD and Karate I had learned as a child and young adult actually worked.

Of course, after 2 years of practice and research into that end of my training, I know an awful lot about Karate, but I think I finally understand that I don't know crap.

So, what style do I do? I don't honestly know anymore. I practice (and teach) what I know, and I keep looking for answers to the stuff I don't.

Thanks to the people here for the answers you've provided, by the way. This seems like a pretty good forum.

Mlh,
Welcome to the club of us not knowing much and trying to find out more. Had similar experiences to you....and you, my friend, are in the same boat as a lot of us.

I hope you don't mind if I say, move over on the bench, there's probably room for me there too.

-B

15 years American kenpo. A smattering of informal Shorin-ryu.

Actualy the style I have been doing is Shorin Ryu. The system is Reiho kan. All togther is Shorin Ryu Reiho kan. I just started almost 2 weeks ago.

Ashihara Karate - 8 months, 8 kyu.

Shotokan, couple of years

Ryukyu Kempo(with a specialty in kyusho/tuite justu), Kanto Ryu Kempo - 32 years 4 dan

Isshin Ryu 12 Years. Would love to learn Uechi Ryu. I also want to learn Goju Ryu and Shorin Ryu. I love the Okinawan Karate styles.

shotokan karate 3 years and growing.

Wado kai 1 year.

Hello to all!

I am new here and also to Karate. For the last year and a half I've studied Shorin-Ryu Matsubayashi style (Ansei Ueshiro lineage).

Kintama, have you actually been in classes with Hanshi Scaglione? I've read a couple of his books, nicely written.

Tang Soo Do. Over the years have added techniques and kata from other styles to my TSD training learned from visiting masters, seminars etc. from aikido,jujitsu, japanese weapons, Shito-ryu, and currently studying Eishin-ryu iaijutsu/kenjutsu while continuing to teach TSD. 32 years total.

TKD Green belt and now new in Shotokan Karate.

I study Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito. I've been training for just over 4 years.

I also wrestled for 8 years (4 years of high school and 4 years of college), and have boxed for 2 years in college.

RC

I practice Isshinryu Karate. I have been doing the whole Martial Arts thingy for two years this coming August. It has given me lots of smiles and happy memories. I think I am a dojo rat. I am a brown belt.

Sorry, just noticed your question... no, I haven't. I just started a few months ago and Mr. Scaglione trains out of Florida now. He used to train in NYC with Ueshiro. The Sensei I am learning from (there are two sensei) were trained and tested by Ueshiro, Scaglione and formaly trained/tested with Mr. Brooks (author of this site's Zen articles).

Yes, the books by Scaglione are quite good. Although the 'red book' is generally not very well recieved, it was meant as an introductory book and for that it serves it purpose. It is the only publication that documents Ueshiro's Fukyugata-San kata.
I especially like 'building warrior spirit' where Mr. Scaglione gives his real life accounts and reflections on life/death situations of his service in NYPD. It is a different viewpoint in plain and simple language of self-preservation and genuine lessons of self-defensive spirit.

where are you training, Saji?

Please keep this thread on topic. All questions to specific members can be pm'ed. Start a new topic for general questions. Thankyou.

Hey,

started shotokan 3 years ago at the age of 39. Just graduated 3rd kyu brown belt.

Greetings

Looks like I may be the sole Uechi student here.

TKD Blue.

Currently Wado Kai. 2.5 years with .5 off for back surgery.

Started in 1977 with Robert Biggs in TKD (BBKA) approx 4yrs
2 years WTF TKD after 20 year lapse.
Currently Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu under a Sensei Robert Yarnall instructor Sensei Frank Pallermo. Absolutely love the traditional style and heavy conditioning. never felt better.

Hi I do kokoro!

I did shotokan karate for 6 months with 7.Kyu

Ok, here we go. Thought I'd slip this in late on and hope nobody notices. Renshinkai Karate-do, 3 Yrs, 3rd kyu. Kenshukai Karate-do, 5 Yrs, Shodan-ho. Instructor 4 1/2 Yrs Oh I almost forgot, Kodokan Judo 1 Yr (a while ago)

Bump up for new people. Almost lost it!

VERY briefly studied Kuk Sool Won, but there were things bout the style and the school that didn't fit. I beleive I was led to Goju. It's a definite fit.

Shorin-ryu 1970-1973 boxing, judo Shodan
Wrestling high school - college 1972-1978
Tang-soo-do 1973-1976 Shodan
Goju-ryu 1976-2005 Godan
Jujitsu 1987-2000 Shodan
Aikido 1989-2001 3rd kyu
Praying Mantis 1999-2000
Hungar 2001-2002
Pente-Silat 2002-2004
Kalia 2003-2005

I have been studying Shito-Ryu for 12 years, and Shotokan for 5 years.

For me, you can't go wrong with the traditional art of Karate.

I started Seido karate little over a year ago, age 24. No other MA experience (except being thrown on the floor multiple times in my youth by my brother who was doing judo at the time)

Seibukan Shorin-ryu (lineage Kyan Sensei-Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei).

I also cross train in Muay thai and Boxing

Gambatte

training just over 20 years now !

Shito Ryu Shukokai for last 19 years and still going strong. High point was attaining Yon-Dan in Nov. 2004.

Am open to other influences and having been training in Goju Ryu with friends and am currently studying Ryukyu Kobujutsu.

I studied judo for 6 years in the 70's and 80's and reached sankyu.
Tae Kwon Do Chang Moo Kwan for 1 year and reached 6th gup (green belt).
I currently study aiki jutsu (3 years) and have a shodan.
I've also studied smatterings of tang soo do, yoshokai aikido, yang style tai chi, and hapkido.
I also wrestled for 2 years in high school.

Even though it's been 20 years since I left judo, I'm still a judoist at heart (my heart thinks of me as a judoist, but I'm not so sure that my body does).

I practice Sogobudo.

Shotokan Style, Presently 9th Kyu

Boxing 3yrs,Shotokan 3yrs,our Shihan often invites guest instructors to our dojo so I also have the odd class in BJJ,Muay thai and Chito-Ryu.Remember if the practice is hard the fighting will be easy however if the practice is easy the fighting will be hard.

I've always been a prepetual student, some fo these classes where taught by 1 instructor (Shorin-ryu, Boxing & Judo) a military brat, others were totally different classes. I was young and like a sponge. I stayed a year or so to get the flavor of it or if it could help me. If not I would move on or they would move on.

Some Master would not really share (stay basic), others shared alot, in some cases. I've learned alot from their 2nd in command.

What about U, have you did much cross training? Opps, just read your profile, Impressive, explains alot.

Outside of my karate I have also looked at Judo, wing chun and thai boxing, couple of years of each. Really helped in my early days and enriches my focus on okinawan karate nowdays.

However im convinced if I trained with the right instructors/dojo from day one it wouldnt have been necessary to cross train, but it didnt do me any harm!

nah, I was planning on sticking within Okinawan Arts for the rest of my life. ignorance is bliss.

sorry to jump off-track...update to my "what style do you do" answer: Matsubayashi-ryu green-belt.

No one way has every way in it, I think after understanding 1 way its good to journey into another realm. Then put it all back together, I believe that even though you study a Okinawan(smile pure) system, Your training shoudl refelct yoru way of life. It should effect the way you use and work these techniques and use its philosophy. So in essence this base system becomes effected by the way you live an defend yourself, it becomes your personal system of defense, true to the original in lesson plan, but different enough to be effective in the world you live in.

I believe my appending the use of firearms in my advance syllabas is such a improvement, to the people mental and in philosophy believe in that kind of personal protection scheme, others don't even know it exist.

I see the auto pistol no different then teaching the Katana, Nunchuka or Bo. The philosophy of approipate weapon and the approipiate range, is just extended/updated here.

congrats Kintama on the grading result, nice one.

Just to clarify my 'concept' of karate is a rather broad art, it isnt a fixed small minded view/rigid in application - far from it.

Right now it looks at courtesy,kobudo, shiatsu, diet changes, good sleep patterns blah blah blah, you get the picture ! However I do use the okinawan developed principles as my base and stick with them overall.

Just read your reply on your training and continued training? Again Impressive alot of training done in Okinwan/Japan, U must be rich or a Military brat. Out of all that intense training has any system really stood out as to better for your personal growth or your way of doing things. The idea that, this fits in the painting that I'm trying to paint. An easier question would be what is your base system?

Because I believe every system fits the needs of certain person better then others.


The filipino/Kalia/Silat methods seems to have some interesting ideas they say they are combat based the difference is that their forms are Combat Forms?? And this is were their dangerous techniques come from, its true but its already been done hasn't. Isn't that our pretense with Kata. I see the same technique done a different way, but its still eye opening.

You can't be talking to me, my MA resume is pretty humble. I've never even been to the Shaolin Temple!

Shorin Ryu with a slight Shotokan influence, I'm a high green belt, I've been doing this for, hmm, I guess about 4-5 months now. I've love Shorin Ryu every step of the way, I've heard Shoreu Ru is good too though. But I think Shorin Ryu is the ultimate traditional, and I love tradtional.

Style: Sukunaihayashi-ryu (Seibukan, Shorin-ryu)
Lineage: Sensei Kyan/Sensei Zenryo/Sensei Takae
Studied 2 years as a teenager and have just returned (6 months ago) after an 18 year hiatus. Glad to be back

Great post!!!
I am still a "child" in karate, just 4 years - Green Belt.
People call this as a style, I prefer to call as a School.
People call this as Shotokan karate, Gichin Funakoshi (founder of the "style") called it as Japanese Karate.
I believe in him. I am a non-style, I just practice Karate with some influences of Funakoshi.

Hi Everyone!

I practice an art called Gosokempo which means hardfast handway, in April this year i passed my grading for 3rd Dan, i've been training in this art for 13 years under Shihan John King, before Gosokempo i studied Wado Ryu for 3 years reaching 3rd kyu, regards,

James

Ashihara

Sanchin-Ryu.. 4years, just recently made shodan!

Man, I can't believe I haven't posted here yet....

Isshinryu approx. 4 years, No rank
Shorinryu Karate-do (unsure of lineage) approx. 3 months. Rank: umm, hachi something something.....white belt w/ 2 green stripes...

I'm currently a san kyu in Uechi-ryu.

i do shito ryu and kempo. been studying since 1981.

I do Shotokan Karate and have been doin it for nearly 5 years. Junior Black Belt. Crazy about martial arts!!! lol

Oyata's Ryukyu Kempo passed down from Albert Geraldi's senior students for the past 10 years.

Kyokushin. Trying to master circle and point....still and again! You know the drill.

10 years (nikyu) of Shorinji-Ryu from two students of O-Sensei Richard Kim, who was taught by Yoshida Kotaro, Yabu Kentsu, and Arakaki Ankichi (to name a few)

Hi, SANCHIN31.

Vado ryu, Shotokan, Shukokai karate, Sambo (russian, like JuDo).
A lot of years.

Best regards.

IOGKF 3rdDan

NRG Karate for around 3-4 months now.

I do Matsubayashi-Ryu and this is my first post.
I've been practicing a little over a year and started fairly late (38 yrs.).
Karate is a transforming experience indeed.

aoishi... same here. where in Mass are you? (pm if you want)

Koei-Kan now, but a job is taking me rather far away from any dojos, so I'm going to be switching rather sooner than I would like to.

GO GOJU! lol... maybe I'm just biased, either way, I study goju-ryu aswell, but only for 2 years. currently red... hoping for green in a couple weeks *crosses fingers*

3rd kyu brown belt seven years in matsumura seto shorin ryu
practitioner in local tournys.

cd - WHere you training koei Kan? And where ya gonna be moving too? I trained Koei Kan in PA for about 15 years and then moving took me away from the dojo too...

Wado-ryu

I'm only 4th kyu.

Shotokan Karate. I have been training for 16 months and am testing for 7th kyu in less then two weeks.

1 1/2 years Wado-Rye (green belt), 1 year spirit Combat (jiu-jitsu) passed gren belt, 14 years Shotokan (KUGB) 1st Dan JKA, did not want to grade further so stayed there for 9 years! Also trained several JKD sessions with a very good instructor (and I'm not easily impressed). Mainly boxing, sambo and ground fighting with some stick work. Then he moved away.

*Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu*

Wado-kai (dont know the difference of this and wado ryu please help if you can)

im junior shodan(red belt since im not 16 yet)
6 years
lead sensei: sensei dave manara 9th dan(highest in canada for this style)

shotokan karate

I do a style based on Okinawan Goju-Ryu. Currently Nidan-Ho.

I play with barbies.

????????????????????

Quote:

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Hell

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????????????????????

i study kobayashi shorin-ryu (shorinkan)(green belt 6th of 7 belts before shodan) ,two circle ju-jutsu and also hakutsuru kempo(white crane fist)i'm not sure if there is a ranking system in either of these . i've only had 2 classes in each.

ChickenChaser,

I noticed that you said you are studying Hakutsuru Kenpo.

You don't happen to live in the Pacific NorthWest do you?

Page

shotokan 2nd kyu.

uss! my style Taifu Shoi Karate Do Tai-korean, fu-chainnise, Shoi-japan freestyle fighting language japan, very effective 50%hands 50%legs forms,techics,selfdefense plus anything that keep me alive...25 busy years of exp.4th dan, also 1st.dan kyiodai Ryu freestyle fighter,also shodan Shoryin Ryu Karate Do (Matsubyashi Ryu)

Welcome to the forums! That's a long list!!

thanks, rookie here but not in the arts, experience in competition and dojo, i am puertorrican living in mia florida home of the us open and disney challenge mayor comp. in fla.

Fill out your profiles so we can get to know you better!

Starting 4th year in a school that's primarily Shotokan,
Kenpo, and Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu.

ki-rin wado ryu. been doing it a whole two weeks (damn my free lessons just ran out) probably buy my gi next monday or monday after.

8th kyu in shukokai a few years ago, but i'd never classify myself as that now, my technique is far too poor.

i do shotokan 8years sho-dan(1st dan)

shuri ryu

Kempo- March 2005 to present (orange belt)

Tang soo do- three years (grade three to grade six)