Goju Ryu Hojo Undo at Home - Finding, Making and Enjoying Your Own Training Equipment

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you for taking the time to watch! As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts, contributions and requests for particular videos.

[@madjidchouarbi3921]

This is a very good video. Obviously, you are teaching Karate Do in a traditionnal way. If you're interested in, you should give a look at dr Yang Jwing Ming Chin Na books or Bakua Zhang : they give some really good body conditionning training as well. Master Roland Habersetzer, from France, also wrote a book about complementary Karate Do training. The french title is " Entrainement préparatoire et complémentaire aux arts martiaux " I don't know if there is an english translation of this book, but it is full of clear drawings presenting the exercices and you don't really need the text to use it. I wish you the best and hope you stay safe from the pandemic.

[@seanecmc]

Thank you so much and FYI, protein powder containers also work well for Nigirigame.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We've used the giant protein powder tubs to make some double-handled chishi! They truly have many uses for the dojo 🙏🏻 Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment 🤗

[@AlexGSalvador-cv9ln]

Excellent karate exercises! I remember using some of those when I was younger in DoshinKai Karate. I like that idea of using the small kettle balls and hand weights while doing stances and techniques. You can make a marinara using a 2X6 board, old rubber slippers and some Boy Scout rope. Place the slipper on top of the board then wrap them together with the rope.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Excellent! That is such a clever solution, and we love an affordable way to use up old stuff to make makiwara. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us - we really appreciate it 🙇

[@Shenruss]

As a Kyokusin practioner who can't yet go into the dojo, and has had shoulder issues, thank you for this.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much for this lovely comment, Shenruss! We really hope you can get back to the dojo soon - your dojo surely misses you too! We have been lucky to resume training, but it was awful to be closed.

[@DrMathOfficial]

@Shenruss contact me on Instagram, I might know a solution to helping your shoulder issues.

[@fighting.words.ma.library]

Thank you for showing alternative tools for Hojo Undo.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

You are most welcome! Hojo undo shouldn't require fancy tools to be effective, and it is my second favourite part of karate (after kata, of course!)

[@markfisher2683]

Went down a “ Goju Ryu Karate Centre” rabbit hole(!) tonight….(it could happen;), and ended my viewing travels on this particular video. I realized when I watched it last- I’d meant to comment on it, but forgot! Oh well. Zoe, Sensei…. The effort you put into this channel is awesome, truly. I suppose I could go into great detail as to why I feel that way- but suffice to say, there’s an uncommon, intelligent earnest approach in your teaching of a subject matter for which you are so clearly very passionate . It’s beautiful to witness . Thank you for sharing that excellent experience.;)! Take care Sensei (plural;)!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

What a splendid comment to recieve first thing in the morning! I was actually feeling a bit sorry for myself because the last two videos tanked, and I can't think of anything creative to film right now, but you have renewed my energy! Thank you for these really heartfelt and incredibly kind words - we are so happy we have karate friends like you

[@markfisher2683]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre If it doesn’t seem to “ rote” ( I don’t think it does)…. body hardening/conditioning, and/or flexibility training could be interesting subjects to explore, yes? Just my 2cents worth. Thank you for your reply to my reply;)! It’s obvious you’re putting in all of the hard work required…. I’m sure it’s still very much worthwhile for you both, even with the occasional “tanking”;). No worries though- I think you’re very much moving in the right direction- and I for one LOVE IT👍😄! Cheers!

[@GiC7]

Nice thank you teacher and blessing to you and your family and dojo amen.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

And blessings to you! May you have good health 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@parry49]

Thank you for the video, very informative and helpful.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you so much for the lovely comment 🤗

[@spectralmelodies5979]

another option for the wrist roller is no weight, I have joint issues so warming up without weight has helped me get into the more difficult versions

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

That's a great idea, and follows the dojo kun: take care of your health! I have hip problems I have to work around, but it doesn't stop me rom doing karate :)

[@johnarokium8068]

Good introduction to the use of supplementary training tools. It is mportant that one maintain proper body structure when performing the movements. The effect of hojo hondo is not just to develop body strength but rather to develop functionalility. ie. targeting specific techniques in karate. I read an article recently that says if kata resembles the framework and bunkai represents the substance, then hojo-undo represents the glue that strongly binds the substance to the framework.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

For some reason, YT put your comment under review! You know we would never take so long to respond to one of our stalwarts. Thank you so much! The glue metaphor is very true! We are planning to do a video to tie together hojo undo and bunkai. Lots of new/immature students think the sole point of hojo undo (and especially makiwara) is to be tough and hard, but that misses the point entirely. Thank you for always taking the time to watch and comment!

[@jasonmorgan2799]

One of my favourite videos so far!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you, Jason! That's big praise 🙏

[@labocinadephilihq6397]

I really like al of that ideas, thanks a lot forma sharing.!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

It’s a pleasure

[@AnuradhaAmarasinghe-n2d]

Greetings from sir lanka Thank you for the video, very informative and helpful and one of my best video clip.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, what a lovely comment to recieve, and on such an old video! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment, I appreciate you!

[@Lobocito87]

Great video, Zoey! As a former karateka I feel reminded to "good old times" and find some inspiration for complementary exersices to my Wing Tsun-drills. In general I see a lot of similarities to Kung-Fu in the exersices you propose. I love it! Keep up like that!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you so much! Goju Ryu draws its roots from White Crane and Monk Fist - it is important to note and celebrate the Kung Fu buried in our kata (especially older kata, such as Seisan and Kururunfa) :) Thank you so much for this truly lovely comment!

[@jacquiala6994]

I am so glad that you did a video on this. It is very helpful for people who want to be fit for karate.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you so much, Jacqui! So glad this is helpful 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

[@joumasepoes88]

Lekker. Thank you for the video!!!!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Still one of the best handles on this site 😂 thank you for the kind words, and I hope you enjoyed the springbok game last night!

[@rayvandragon]

OSU! 🙇 Arigato ! Thanks for the hojo undo exercices

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Only a pleasure! I'm sure I responded, it seems YT ate a bunch of my replies 🙃 I love hojo undo, and I'm always so happy to share that with others 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@matthews1082]

Great video on some of the key aspects of Goju-Ryu training, while showing that whether one uses traditional training tools or modern substitutes don't matter as long as it produces the same training benefits! Kongoken is a rarer piece of kit, and Sensei Zoe nicely demonstrates how one could substitute the Kongoken with other equipment. I found that a log from a fallen tree in my garden made an excellent "Tan", wrapping a towel or rope around the trunk of a young tree made a good makiwara, and certain rocks made good nigeri-game.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

How rude of KZbin to eat my reply! Anyway - thank you so much for the lovely comment! Natural objects is truly in the spirit of karate. Teruo Chinen Sensei was told upon arrival at Sensei Miyagi's house to move the rocks around his garden...and then back again. I actually meant to do a tan section, but the video was already getting too long while recording!

[@matthews1082]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre No worries, I read your reply even though it wasn't published. Looking forward to your next video.

[@Nailed92]

Great video, thank you. I do love that Hoju Undo book by Michael Clarke, it’s a great resource.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Jake! It truly is a great read - I always recommend it to people looking for grading gifts. Very accessible and interesting :) Thank you for the kind words!

[@luizalexandrezacarkintrent6554]

very good! I liked! thanks.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the kind words 👏🏻

[@kevionrogers2605]

The Kongoken can be made from pipes bought from the hardware store.

[@pauloalvarenga3648]

Great!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much!

[@barbarba7]

Thank you Sensei Zoe. Brilliant as always. Love love love....

[@barbarba7]

Made me laugh again in the end. Love you can share the bloopers. Brilliant.

[@Yeino]

We also work the mawashi uke movements (inside and outside) with the chishi. Concerning the ishi sachi, i still prefer concrete ones, due to their roughness. It makes my hands rougher, but with coarse salt, my palm strikes are very heavy ! With the dumbells, your preferred is the hardest one from all the exercices you've shown us. Glad to hear it ! Sounds like good work ;) I've found a shop selling a new kongoken for 95 $US. It's even cheaper than a good makiwara nowadays. We used to warm up on makiage kigu during 2 minutes before performing kote kitae, but i did it with a block of concrete, and a little bit slowlier. We've stopped it for now, but i think we could warm up again with your way of makiage kigu : lighter but quicker. My home made nigiri game with straight nozzle (cat tree) makes me feel it's already very heavy (7kg). I've reached classical ones filled with 20kg of sand and stones, but with straight nozzles, i feel it very different from previously ! Your home made are good ones, much more aesthetic than mines. When i started working on makiwara, i only had straw ones at my disposal. Now i'm working directly on concrete blocks (it has already fell twice from the wall). I've started to harden my feet and my tibia bone with a standard straw makiwara too. To be honest, it hurts a lot, specifically under the feet for everyday life, like driving, or even walking. Do you think i should concentrate this training on sokuto and ashi nukite only ?

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Sensei, The detail in your comments requires careful consideration and answer! We are honoured that you stop by our humble little videos to give it. I love the makiage kigu because it is so easy to scale up or down depending on your strength that day, and it doesn't take much storage space (or make much noise to disturb our poor spouses!) The straight nozzle must be extremely challenging - I must look up a design and see if we can replicate it. I don't miss the straw makiwara - we have one to show people what it was like, but they are so MESSY and its not worth the authenticity to have to pick straw out of the skin. If the underside of your feet are sore, it is probably best to take a longer break to let them recover. In South Africa we have a little bit of a barefoot running culture, and when I was training long-distance for marathons, I would run around the parks on the grass barefoot to build my feet up without too much impact. Perhaps this will help strengthen your feet without too much pain? There is a history of running as a supportive exercise to karate - the masters knew its value already. Like the dojo kun says, we must take care of our health. With the level of training I believe you are already doing, your feet are probably excellently conditioned, and could use a little break from hojo undo. But I am just a baby san dan - what do I know? As always, we love to see your name pop up in our comment feed, and we wish you a happy and rewarding weekend ⭐

[@Yeino]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre You should not flatter me this way, i'm only 36 years old, and your grade is close to mine actually ! I'm honoured to be answered after commenting your videos. We can feel the quality in your videos. You're communicating the seriousness and the discipline while keep being friendly and accessible. I think good work must be highlighted. This is rare enough to be said. I'm sick of all the "Cobra Kai reacts" and the "....... vs MMA" videos that pollute the social networks. I've decided to follow your advice and to give my feet a break. I've been some kind of exhausted for the past few days, because i also have intensive training in Yoseikan Budo, 2 days a week, plus my regular training... I suppose several days of full break would be fine ! Thank you again to take time of yours for answering me ! ;-)

[@rikkic7000]

Thank you for this informative and amusing video. I will purchase the book you referenced and have a go at making my own implements . I have subscribed for more info and blooper reels

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you, Rikki! The bloopers are probably the most popular part of my videos 🤣 but we should never take ourselves too seriously in our pursuit of karate - no one with a thin skin lasts in this world! Thank you so much for watching and subscribing - we really appreciate it 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@TheInvisibleSensei108]

Excellent content, great technique, and great editing, love the blooper real as well, the Ude Makiwara looks awesome as well 🥋🙏🏽🙂

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you so much for these very generous words! I am truly honoured 🙇🏻‍♀️ Our ude-makiwara is an old friend, and it brings all the black belts to the yard 😉 Apologies for delayed reply - it seems youtube ate my first reply 😅

[@MartialArtsLifeStyle]

GREAT VIDEO !

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Yay! Thank you so much :) :)

[@angelinadamatta2670]

Thank you sensei!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Always a pleasure!

[@samowens3]

Great job Sensei

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much! Appreciate the watch and comment 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@michaelchicchelly7522]

Excellent

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@siriusbontea]

Thank you, Sensei! This is a helpful video for folks on a budget. One thing I do for the Makiage kigu is to tie a loop knot at the end, thus enabling a quick change of weights (be it plates, kettlebells, etc., but especially old cheap plates that are not part of a complete set). Thanks for the Kongoken alternative exercises. I always learn something new from these videos!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, that's a great way to use old, cheap plates! We actually are prolific hunters of scrap metal - one of the things we bonded over in our courtship was scouring pawn shops and scrap yards for anything that we could turn into dojo equipment (so romantic). So glad that I can bring something new to your training! It is a delight every time :)

[@siriusbontea]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre, sounds like a fun story!

[@Juju-dt4fc]

Beginner in goju-ryu (with a few years of practice of other martial arts), I would like to directly adopt good work habits, and I am therefore looking to build myself some devices for hojo undo. I bought Michael Clarke's fantastic book "The Art of Hojo Undo: Power Training for Traditional Karate" which has already allowed me to build a lot of things, but actually the kongoken remains a rather difficult element. The book itself remains quite vague on the ways of doing things, it is more complete on other instruments. And on youtube there are almost no videos while there are dozens of them on the other tools:$. I think I'm going to see in the companies working the metal near me if they can help me and at what price...

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Unfortunately the kongoken itself is such a rare piece of equipment - I know some people have made them out of plastic conduit filled with cement, but they can be a bit wobbly that way. We have touched on kongoken in a couple of videos, hopefully it will give you enough to work on in your own training! Anyone who does hojo undo at home is on the right path - it's the only real secret of karate 🥋 Thank you so much for your lovely comment, and we hope to hear from you again on our channel 🪷

[@mehmoodhaffejee3025]

Awesome video, Sensei. You just got yourself a new subscriber 👍🏻👊🏼

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you so much for subscribing, and for this lovely comment 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@joari123]

Thank you very much for these top instructions. Very helpful with regard to equipment, exercises and correct execution. Your shiko is great and the tattoo really beautiful! Best wishes from Cologne and I'm looking forward to your next vid 👍😊

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

KZbin, why did you eat my long and thoughtful reply to this lovely comment? Thank you so much - I usually get told my shiko isn't deep enough, so it's nice to hear something positive for a change. Can't wait to get more colour pumped into my tattoo. The skin was just so traumatized after 4 hours that it couldn't take any colour after all the line work. Always lovely to hear from you, Jo!

[@chejagger1]

Thanks Zoe Sensei

[@elhajjzafeermuhammad1530]

Volume 1 of Higaonna's book can be found as a free PDF download as can volume 3.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

One of the best things about ebooks is that they save books that might otherwise disappear when they go out of print 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@johnaceto7126]

This reminds me of steel mace training

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

I would love to try steel mace training! Thank you for watching and commenting, John - we appreciate it :)

[@TBloodthirster1]

Wonderful to see that after all these years, awkward turtle remains :D

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

I've even taught the kids up to awkward giraffe 🦒

[@waaagh3203]

My brother is a welding engineer and a certified welder. I don't know why you couldn't get some 2 or 3 inch pipe and make your own. You could even put pipe into pipe to make it even heavier, or even something like sand. A few welds and you'd have your own. I'm going to see if he'll make me one.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

That's a great idea! Our sibling dojo down the road has metal welded chishi - we just like the feel of wood, and working on the lathe. But as long as it's the right weight and size, that's all that really matters :) Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@thelionofthewest9168]

New subscriber here.I use an adjustable dumbbell for a chiishi😁

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

The best use of an adjustable dumbbell! Welcome to our little channel, fellow karate-ka! We hope you will continue to find our content useful and enjoyable :)

[@davinaerwee2349]

Nice video. "But Zoë. Who has a kongoken at home?" Zoe, "Rich people." Lol

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Eat the rich 🤣

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Me!! Not rich just lucky I guess Che

[@jonasjpm1989]

👍👍

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

[@josephjperkins973]

how about making a video on how to develop your own Hojo undo programs going from beginner to advanced level hojo undo programs?

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hello! We have a couple of videos on hojo undo - hopefully they will help you put together a program of your own! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp_CanyNhtCYa9U kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKKVpGhmfLWoq6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnncn2p9jJaqo6s kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZu7i2l_Z7GSeaM But we will also look at doing a video on how to set your own training goals and work towards them as well :)

[@BareknuckleParatrooper]

Rich people had me in tears 😂

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

I live to entertain 🤣

[@matshidisomofokeng2443]

It is me thato

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hi Thato! Thank you for watching 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@Burvedys]

Masks don't work pretty well. But mawashi... yes, indeed! :)

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

True!

[@shaurya3269]

What is the weight of Kongo ken ?

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Our light one is 20kg The rest are between 32-38kg

[@matshidisomofokeng2443]

Bro

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Indeed

[@balrambind6443]

i am interested kung fu karate

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

So Okinawan karate has its roots in kung fu - it is worth looking up the history of White Crane Kung Fu to see the links it has in Goju Ryu. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@balrambind6443]

Hi mam

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hello!