Goju Karate Combatives directly from KATA

GOJU ryu karate kata contain a numerous combative techniques. Here are a selection. Can you spot which kata?
Full video here: gkcglobalshop....

[@leeglynn7892]

I will attending my first ever Goju Ryu Karate class next month after the summer break and this video has got my pumped! I can't wait to start.

[@GKCgoju]

How exciting. Please let us know how it goes.

[@Mr440c]

Goju-ryu is just endless pool of knowledge!

[@divafever9754]

make-believe*

[@GKCgoju]

Yes, so many possibilities within each kata.

[@Kiwigeo8339]

@@divafever9754 Gojuryu isn't for divas...

[@KaisDinoAdventures]

Nice 👍

[@GKCgoju]

Thanks ✌

[@markfisher2683]

Hello Sensei. I sincerely appreciate all that you share on KZbin, just enough to whet the appetite, without “ giving the farm away” I suppose. I have one quick question ( at least one of hundreds;)- My question is, for the non-black belts in your Dojo, how important is it that those students understand at least a little of the applicable combative approaches ( as in this video) vs. just the rudimentary “ basics” of bunkai that is presented for testing purposes? I ask, because I feel that in some Dojos it seems that students could go YEARS into training before even being vaguely introduced to the more pragmatic/ practical combative applications of Goju’s beautiful kata and practical bunkai within them. It seems , to me, at least, that if the students could experience an occasional demonstration of some of the more advanced intricacies of kata, that perhaps good students would be motivated to continue training. Thank you again for all you do, and share in the Goju Karate community.

[@GKCgoju]

That's a good question, and you are right in that karate ka of all levels (not only color belts) are not taught how to interpret their karate kata for its intended purpose - and that's not only 'for years', but often, forever. The issue as I see it is the disconnect between kihon, kata, and kumite. I teach other teachers through GKCollege (and seminars, etc.) some of whom have been training longer than me, and I see the same thing over and over again; they were never shown a progressive and integrated approach to their training. To answer your question, we don't wait to teach principle based karate - we teach it from the outset.

[@markfisher2683]

Thank you for your quick, and complete reply, Sensei. I am happy to hear that you approach teaching your students ( and other teachers/instructors who are willing to improve their abilities as a teacher/mentor, as well as a continuing student) that the traditional kata are not a involved dance, but actually contain complete fighting systems that are meant to be responsibly/knowledgeably introduced and taught to all students of all levels (IMHO;). I’m encouraged to see that there are still knowledgeable Sensei “ demystifying the secrets” of karate training, like you continue to do. Thank you again, and I hope for you and your Dojo’s continued success. Take care.

[@GKCgoju]

Thank you.

[@salvatoreplacidoplumari3840]

hmm...I have seen elements of Gekisai- Dai or Saifa...sorry, Sensei, if i may have not given the correct katas, I train mostly Shorin-Ryu katas...

[@GKCgoju]

Thanks for watching and your comments. Shorin-ryu and goju ryu has many similarities.

[@richardmcevoy946]

And here is the problem. I see elements of. No, you should literally be able to tell what kata it is and where in the kata the sequence came from. This doesn't prevent people making up their own sequences, of course. But it's not kata bunkai unless it corresponds to kata movement sequences.

[@sbeveridge]

Seienchin

[@GKCgoju]

Yes, seiyunchin for sure.

[@richardmcevoy946]

Unless it actually looks almost exactly like the kata it's not correct. These are incorrect.

[@GKCgoju]

That's an interesting perspective regarding applications looking 'exactly like the kata'. It's sometimes difficult to see the corresponding moves when you have an uke who is not standing motionless with a fixed karate posture. I would say that most of the applications in this video do represent kata movements relatively faithfully. Do you have some examples, or can you link to a video, of something that you would say is correct? Thanks in advance, and appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@alanborthwick1173]

Karate kata applications often don't look exactly like the kata itself because they emphasise practical and effective self-defense techniques. Adapting the movements allows practitioners to apply them in real-world scenarios where precision and adaptability matter more than replicating the exact form.

[@richardmcevoy946]

@@alanborthwick1173The point is not about adapting position but about the sequence of movement. E.g if the kata sequence is age uke in sanchin dachi jun tsuki step back morote gedan uke in kiba dachi then that's what should happen. The opponent should also be countering the moves in a sensible fashion not just standing still.

[@martinhurley3288]

Kara are composed of several individual defensive templates combined together in a particular geometrical configuration. Of its nature it tends to become stylised and polished in a way which is difficult, if not impossible, to follow exactly when the principles therein are employed against a resisting opponent.

[@GKCgoju]

@@alanborthwick1173 That's right Alan, in addition to kata harboring contingencies within sequences that may or may not be necessary to fulfill the application.

[@j4armenta]

Seienchin!

[@GKCgoju]

definitely. Thanks for your comment.