Different styles of karate?
Born to be Stupid asked:
I’m thinking about taking up karate again after having a break, but the problem is the club I used to attend is now closed and I can’t find any other karate clubs nearby that has the same style (okinawa goju ryu) that I used to train.
Are there huge differences between the different karate styles? In terms of kata and bunkai?
If I start training a different karate style than okinawa goju ryu, will I have to start from white belt again?
Jennifer
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I’m thinking about taking up karate again after having a break, but the problem is the club I used to attend is now closed and I can’t find any other karate clubs nearby that has the same style (okinawa goju ryu) that I used to train.
Are there huge differences between the different karate styles? In terms of kata and bunkai?
If I start training a different karate style than okinawa goju ryu, will I have to start from white belt again?
Jennifer
February 10th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Jack
Of course and yes.
February 13th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Luis
bunkai can vary greatly from one dojo to the next.
as far as kata. there can be. depending on the style. they may have different kata all to gather or just a different version. goju ryu has about 14 kata or so. there are just over a 100 kata in all the styles.
with out knowing the styles near you we cant tell you what would be closes
in any event you should worry so much about changing styles. and the differences. but more on finding a good instructor. in the end thats what really matters.
and yes you will but you should move up to your old rank fast then the others since you already have a background.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Aubrey
Hi.
There are huge differences between styles at the lower intermediate levels. It will seem very different, but what is most important is the teacher as was pointed out earlier by another poster.
If you took a break, you will need to start at white again (at least in most schools). But it should be the training and the skill that matters, so it will not affect you much. You will progress quickly if you were with a decent teacher before.
Good luck!
February 15th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Sophia
1. which Goju organization did you train? Shorei Kan, or Sho-Rei-Shobu Kan?
2. many of the styles will be very similar, but you probably won’t do the same katas, or the same kata bunkai.
3. you will have to start over most likely, but the instructor may let you keep your Goju rank if their ranking system is close, and then will just keep you from testing until they think you are ready to test at the level your belt denotes.
4. when you make the change, focus on the similarities not the differences, that will make the transition easier.
those are all the points i can think of.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
John
You will likely have to start as a beginner again because Okinawan Goju is different from just about every other karate style out there. Many don’t even use the same kata, although Uechi-Ryu, Isshin-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, and Kyokushin have some similar ones.
Some places don’t even teach Bunkai in a practical way. Or at all, for that matter.
Your best choice is to talk to some of the sensei and take a few trial classes, if you can. That should give you a feel for what the style’s about.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Chase
do they have gojukai as opposed to gojuryu?
i have heard they are similar although i could be wrong.
do as others have said. go along and train at whichever places teach karate near you.
whilst you may have to start at white you might be able to fast-track as you will already have some skills.
you may just need to learn different kata which isnt always a bad thing.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:54 am
Noah
There will be a slight difference in kata. If your master is not too materialistic U can just join in whatever belt u r in and take a short while to master the slight difference in their kata. What matter most to these club is the outstanding performance of their student in competition.
February 24th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Riley
You’ll find that some katas are the same, but they will also be some different ones too. Normally the differences are in stances (high/low) and things like that rather than majorly huge differences. Basic movements such as punches and blocks are very similar if not the same. Some styles focus on speed, and some on power, what did you used to do? Try to find a style that focuses on the same sort of thing.
You will have to start from white belt again. I don’t know about all styles of karate, but some will let you jump belts (but only on your first grading) if you’re good enough to. So as you’ve already had experience, it may not be the same style, but it may be enough for you to start a little higher.
Try a few different styles, and try to find a similar one. You wont find an exact match. Speak to the instructors and ask them if they can explain the difference between their style and your style, that way you should be able to change easier.
Good Luck!
February 26th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Natalie
What can I say when I don’t know nothing !