Basic (Kihon) Saifa Bunkai for Goju Ryu

We are starting weekly online karate classes from the 3rd of August 2024: email [e-mail] to get added to the sign-up list. Just starting to learn Saifa bunkai? Working towards a solid, easy explanation of the kata? Then this is the ideal guide for beginner to intermediate Goju Ryu practitioners (as well as advanced students looking to brush up their basics) who are learning Saifa bunkai.
A clear, how-to guide to help you learn the basic bunkai, with and without a partner.
Chapters:
00:00 - 02:28 - who this video is for/kihon vs oyo bunkai
02:29 - 04:43 - 1st section (step, break out, up to uraken, first 3 moves of kata)
04:44 - 08:34 - second section (morote-uke, maegeri)
08:35 - 14:01 - third section (double punch)
14:02 - 16:58 - hammerfist and upper cut
16:59 - 21:37 - end of kata (heito, mawashi uke)
21:38 - 25:32 - All the types of bunkai, and what bunkai is about and for
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Video produced by:
Zoe Jagger-Hinis
zoehinis.com/

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We've caught up on bunkai, for now - what would you like to see next?

[@danielehrhardt5504]

I discovered your channel during the first lockdown here in Germany last year. It's a pleasure to watch your very helpful videos with your unagitated way of explaining the movements. Does your training in the dojo include training with weapons , i.e. how to wield a bo? This is what I would be interessed in seeing next. :) Thank you

[@siriusbontea]

@@danielehrhardt5504, I concur. I'd love to see some bo training.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hello! Ah, we would truly love to visit Germany one day - it is on our list. Interesting question! So Sensei Jagger has done some bo training over the years (he may answer more specifically later, I don't want to get the details wrong), and I have trained in bo a little, back when I did Aikido. In our renovations, we accidentally broke our weapons rack, which would normally be in the corner right behind where we filmed this. So yes, we do have a little bit of bo, jo and nunchaku, but I know I'm definitely not qualified to teach anything more than warm-ups and basics with it! Perhaps a collaboration is in order...

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Well, we'll see what we can do! Definitely not as well-versed in it, but it has its place in our dojo too.

[@Tamales21]

Break down Seisan.

[@zoehinis7848]

Putting my body on the line for bunkai!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

For _science_

[@chejagger1]

Thanks to Zoë for assisting with partner work and editing

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Always a pleasure 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@sib9309]

Great to see there are like minded Goju karateka out there. I really like how your videos are raw unscripted and honest, more like a real training session than a showcase.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you so much for this genuine comment! We sometimes feel bad that our videos are not as polished and shiny as some other channels, but we also do want to be more authentic to ourselves than to an algorithm. It is really reassuring to hear that we're finding our fellow Goju folk out there!

[@MrEcomusic]

Many thanks for the very well done video. Not only for the very informative Bunkai but also for the references to different executions of the kata 👍

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much for the generous comment! Saifa may be "only" the third Kata, but it has much depth 🙏🏻

[@siriusbontea]

Time to bring my Saifa to a new level... Thanks for your detailed instruction, Sensei! The biggest challenge for me is forgetting some of the training over the years. Your videos are a great way to preserve the lessons for review again and again in the future.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Che was just saying this morning that he sees this as a contribution to the wider karate library, especially since its much easier than producing a book! Thank you so much for these kind words, and we hope your Saifa goes from strength to strength 💪

[@Nailed92]

Y’all have an amazing channel, truly some of the most valuable Goju Ryu training available on KZbin, thank you for sharing.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Much appreciated! We know we are just a baby, yellow belt channel compared to many karate giants, so it is always so lovely to know we are being seen. Thank you for this wonderful comment, and for taking the time to watch! We hope you will continue to be a part of our karate journey and that we can help play a small part in yours. Arigato!

[@sernalu1965]

Thanks very much sensei for your explanation and indications for understanding the bunkai and ajusting it fir every situation/condition. Greetings from Bogota - Colombia - South America.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much for the lovely comment! Kata is a living thing ☺️ it should change with each person and scenario

[@matthews1082]

On the contrary, that's exactly how we did it in our dojo. Impressive that you added the details of some variations to the double punch, which actually originated in the older version of Saifa, when they used to be double nukite, not double fists, and you added other little details that were "old school" Saifa Bunkai. The last bit of Saifa develops into a neck choke from behind - but for shorter people (like me) going against taller people, the right arm can't go over the opponent's arm to choke him, due to height difference - so for shorter people - they still do the move from below, and end up with a standing triangle choke - that is, if the opponent isn't too fat :D Great video as usual.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, I didn't know about the double nukite, but it definitely makes more sense to target the neck with that! Isn't it amazing how a kata can travel all around the world, change so much and yet remain fundamentally the same? I am always amazed at how robust this teaching method is, truly. Always a joy to hear from you, sir Matthew! - Zoe

[@barbarba7]

Thank you Sensi Che and Sensi Zoe. Always nice to watch and learn. 😘

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you for always taking the time to watch, auntie Barbs!

[@GojuBob]

Your bunkai videos are enormously valuable. Thank you so much!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Only a pleasure, Robert! We love filming them and sharing them with the world 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@ctcm]

You guys did it! Thank you for reading my comment and making this video 🥲🙃😀

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Here for our fans! Thank you for always watching and commenting 🙇🏻‍♀️🥋

[@jasonmorgan2799]

Got this on repeat now, thank you Sensei. 🥋🥋

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Digital Sensei never gets tired 😂

[@labocinadephilihq6397]

Thank you very much for sharing bunkai. It is very important for me.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Without bunkai, kata is just a dance! We're glad you appreciate the importance of it :) Thank you for the lovely comment, and for taking the time to watch.

[@reactivicky]

Thank you for bunkai. I managed to do this kata without mistakes watching your video

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Well done! We are so happy to hear that we could help you in your karate journey 🌺 Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment - we appreciate it!

[@johnarokium8068]

Thank you for a well presented video on Saifa bunkai.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thanks John Sensei, your feedback is appreciated

[@tuliocarneiro8620]

Parabéns sensei , grato pelas explicações , oss

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Muito obrigado por dedicar seu tempo para assistir e comentar em nosso pequeno canal, Tulio 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

[@markfisher2683]

Greetings Sensei. Thank you for such concise, detailed content, once again. I feel that THIS particular subject of bunkai, and how it applies “ practically/pragmatically “ has always been something I, and others, have struggled with internally, in and out of our dojo. It would be so much easier, perhaps, if the Sensei of a dojo would break down bunkai like you just did in this video! Just providing a simple “ counter/explanation “( if you will) to the ever whispered ( or spoken aloud!) “I would never do it THIS way”, or “ this is awkward, or doesn’t make sense”. I like that your channel explains more (to MANY schools of Goju Ryu , not just YOUR specific style) why the basics/kihon are presented the way that they are. Thanks again for the reminder that the kihon/ basics are“ A, B, C’s “, not poetry just yet;)! Take care, Sensei!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Zoe here - Che's gift is the ability to take extremely complicated ideas and make them accessible, and I think that is the result of having trained with so many great teachers and absorbing all their explanations over the years. And simple always goes a long way - it is a bit like food. Everyone wants to be a Michelin star chef, but they don't even know how to make mac and cheese. Nothing wrong with repeating and polishing the basics until they shine! Thank you for the lovely comment, and for reaffirming that what we upload has value to others. It might not be as flashy or trendy, but we really hope it can be useful and accessible. See you back here soon, good sir!

[@markfisher2683]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre Yes....” flashy and/or trendy” are not required. Just some little ( or aha!) insights as to what all of our seemingly ENDLESS repetitions are (hopefully) leading us to.... and that there is RHYME....AND reason to what it is we are trying to slowly achieve;). Also, Zoe, Sensei....the humor and humility is always appreciated..... you must crack yourself up whilst editing;))! Take care!

[@Tamales21]

Great. Great work here.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you! Trying our best

[@angelinadamatta2670]

Thank you sensei!!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you for watching and commenting, champ!

[@mwanatz5980]

Thank you 😊

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

You're welcome 😊

[@bibekofficial8000]

wow very good and helped video

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much, Bibek! We really appreciate the kind words :)

[@deepagasti6151]

Good n simple bunkai 👍

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you! This is the goal 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

[@suniljupiter4949]

Very good explanatin Sensei

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you very much! 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

[@Tamales21]

Oyo idea: the heito is a pull on a front kick to the stomach. This causes the kicker to either do a split or fall on their butt.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Love a bunkai that pulls the attacker into an unwanted split! Thank you for watching and commenting - always appreciated 🙇🏻‍♀️ - Zoe

[@breebrat56]

16:20 / 16:21 Farther or closer ( closer might give your opponent more strike grab opportunities? ) if I was her: I’d pop a groin strike, sternum punch, inner thigh pinch ( that’s a pressure point that HURTS) and maybe a few other possibilities if you can manage it. I’m learning this Hyung/Kata in an authentic Tang Soo Do ( Korean Karate 🥋& Okinawan Karate school.) I’m currently in my last color belt rank and training for black belt testing in 2-3 years. I love seeing the possible applications! That’s why I’m wondering what can your opponent do while you have multiple possible openings to have attacked ? Feedback would be awesome! 🥋

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hi thanks for the awesome comment I’ll have to go back to see the exact section to leave a detailed comment Che

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

So I have taken the time to watch the video 1. It’s the Kihon video , it’s super basic, and is aimed at the most classical ways Saifa is shown and it’s Bunkai is presented in Okinawa based schools of Goju Ryu 2. Yes they can grab, it’s another worm hole you can go down, the kata has answers for this ( look at the continuous Bunkai from Taira Sensei or Jundokan Sho Hombu to get into this) 3. There are many other options to do, I just covered the basic ones Hope this helps Ps I have a few other videos on Saifa where I do other ideas

[@user-ll1ze8sh2p]

very nice content. why you don't create online tutorial?

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you! We tried to do some online seminars, but people seem to be tired of Zoom, so we have put it on hold for now. Maybe in the new year, we will try again!

[@jonasjpm1989]

👍👏👏👏

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

🙇🙇🙇

[@kirubadhaskirubadhas5634]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

[@jasoncoulter3179]

Bunkai of shisochin kata

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Coming up soon! Thank you for watching and commenting 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@Burvedys]

Saifa is a travel-size kururumfa. :)

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Brilliant! That should be on a t-shirt 👏🏻👏🏻

[@Burvedys]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre : and with a dragon from Mulan (who said that of himself). :)

[@toxtoxethh9334]

Hi sensi it's me miss dewing

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hey, Miss Dewing! Thank you for taking the time to comment and watch 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@pinkybhalerao8200]

Your wife is more beautiful than u 😅 and i love her way of teaching🥰 she make things very easy I saw her every video 7-8 time for practice 😘love u mam u r my favorite sensei 🥰🥰

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, Pinky, you are too kind! Thank you so much for watching my videos and supporting our channel - we really appreciate it .

[@lucyferdemon8171]

osu

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Arigato gozaimasu 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@thomassegrue8783]

Very little use of the waist !

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you,