What style? Why?

Raelyn · 01-24-2008, 11:01 PM

Hello all,
I have seriously been considering starting training in the martial arts lately. I am leaning towards either Kyokushin or Seido because there looks to be couple of decent schools in my area. I was just wondering what styles you all take, why you chose that style, and the things that you like, or dislike, about it. Also any other recommendations would be welcome. Thanks.

Lucy · 01-24-2008, 11:05 PM

Hi Raelyn, welcome to K4L! Where do you come from? I have only ever tried kyokushin so my view would be completely biased

I love it and ive found i get great all round training so ive never considered anything else. Not come across any downsides yet. I guess your choice would depend on whats available in your area?

But you have made your 1st good choice by joining this forum

vapor · 01-24-2008, 11:08 PM

Welcome to the site.

I would only offer the advice to not pay as much attention to the style (as funny as that sounds on a site with kyokushin in the name) and visit as many dojos as you can, and get a feel for the atmosphere, and the instructor.

Finding a good instructor will be key to your progress!

vapor

kyokushin4life · 01-24-2008, 11:23 PM

Osu.Raelyn and welcome to K4L community!

Moving this thread to a beginner's section. Osu!

**Brad** · 01-24-2008, 11:25 PM

hi welcome i do kyokushinkai and love it because our instructor is hard.

mpeters · 01-25-2008, 12:07 AM

Hi Raelyn

I have been doing Kyokushin consistantly for about 2 yrs now and have found it to be particularly enjoyable for me. Not only do you learn new techniques but you learn more about yourself, how hard you can push yourself, how much pain you can take etc. I have also done a few other martial arts styles but Kyokushin seems to connect more with me. Actually I find that I can incorporate some of what I have learnt in these systems to Kyokushin anyway. As vapor suggest though look around and you will find your place in the martial arts world. Osu

Raelyn · 01-25-2008, 12:32 AM

Thanks guys,
I'm in the Los Angeles area by the way, so I am lucky in that there is alot of places to chose from. I am out of town right now though and will not be settling back down until late March. It's kinda driving me nuts cause I want to start training right away but can't. The upside is that it has given me time to do plenty of research.

vapor · 01-25-2008, 02:30 AM

There are a number of members from the LA area...so they can probably help based on their experiences too

vapor

meguro · 01-25-2008, 03:53 AM

Osu! Raelyn,
Think of Kyokushin as the grandaddy of all knockdown styles including Ashihara, Enshin, World Oyama, Daido Juku. To that list, I would add Seidokaikan. Now, Seido could be Seido Juku (founded by T. Nakamura) or Seidokaikan (Iishi). They are worlds apart. If you stumbled into K4L because you are familiar with Kyokushin and knockdown karate, then choosing between Kyokushin and Seidokaikan would simply be a matter of choosing between which dojo gives you a better vibe. BTW, Seidokaikan is the sponsor of K-1.

Seido Juku, although founded by Sosai's former disciple, is nothing like Kyokushin. If you're uncomfortable with contact, Seido Juku maybe for you. It seems to emphasize personal development through diligent practice of kata, kihon, community service, meditation, and physical conditioning.

Best thing to do is to observe classes several times. Maybe take some free introductory classes if they're offered. Observe the senior students and ask yourself whether or not they posses the karate attributes you desire. Ask the beginners if they are enjoying themselves and whether their experiences are meeting with their expectations.

I don't know if Torrance is out of your way, but you might also want to consider Yamaki Karate, founded by Kenji Yamaki.

**smoothsake** · 01-25-2008, 06:10 AM

There are many choices in the LA/OC area. There's Kyokushinkaikan (IKO1), Ashihara, Enshin, and Yamaki... and that's only the knockdown variety. I'm a member of IKO1 here in LA. You should come visit our dojo, speak to Sensei, and see for yourself... then decide. Our homepage is kyokushinla.com.

Also if you are in town this weekend (1/27), we are hosting our annual Weight Category tournament. Check the website for details.

meguro · 01-25-2008, 06:42 AM

Hey Smoothsake, isn't the weight category tourney this weekend? That would be a great chance to see Kyokushin in action for those in the LA area.

**hasbeen** · 01-25-2008, 09:17 AM

raelyn, as spirit always says=look to who is teaching...not the style...wise words from an experienced man..........spirit i hope you don`t mind me stealing your words

Raelyn · 01-25-2008, 03:29 PM

Wish I was in LA this weekend so I could come check it out, but like I said earlier, I am on an extended trip until late March. The Kyoukushin dojo you mentioned is already on my list though, I will definitely be stopping in to see the place when I return. After scouring the net though, I have not found any Enshin dojos. You mentioned one, is it in the LA area? Something to keep in mind, I'm in North Hollywood. Anything you might know of in the valley is ideal, but I am willing to drive the extra mile for the right Dojo.

vapor · 01-25-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raelyn

Anything you might know of in the valley is ideal, but I am willing to drive the extra mile for the right Dojo.

Sounds like you have the right mindset...keep searching until you find what you are looking for!

Smoothsake may be able to provide you with more info on some of the dojo's he mentioned.

vapor

Spirit · 01-26-2008, 02:02 PM

Raelyn,
Focus on the teacher NOT the style...

Yes each style has different attributes that may or may not be taught to the letter in each dojo of said style...
I know many Kyokushin dojo's that never do knock down or many Shotokan that do something very close to Knock down fighting.
Each of these actions are based solely on the instructor of the dojo not the style.

Each style has a lot of hype around or about them, not unlike sports teams or cars etc you get the picture.

Now The reason I say focus on the teacher (Sensei) is that their personality drives how, what and when etc you learning in the dojo. The style does have some basic foundations to it, but most instructors of today are so far removed from the founding teachers/style or better never have meet them (founder) or been instructed by one of the founders direct students.
In America their are a few, direct students of Oyama and Kyokushin (some have their own styles now too) but as a new student and unless your in their own dojo you may not really or ever get to train under them.

So focus on instructor that FITS your personality...i.e.
if your a competitive person, perhaps you may like a JKA dojo or a dojo that is competitive in AAU or WKA type tourney's.
Open style tourney's are far less competitive, they focus on more the flash than focused technique... BUT that could be you so don't sell them short. We call them Mcdojo's but hey everyone one has a right to teach and learn so I'm not trying to judge here!!!)
If your young and can deal with the punishment and bruises that comes with Kyokushin and don't mind grueling training then a competitive Kyokushin dojo's of one of the many diffent IKO's, Organizations or Independent's would be best.

Goju, Isshin ryu, Shorin Ryu, Wado Ryu ( so many great styles to choose) etc are all great styles of the more Okinawan based Karate.
Softer (in the terms of style) systems are Chinesed based.

Most people get into a style do to
Close to the dojo
A friend already trains
Parent do to cost or convince
Marketing!!! watch out for this one..
Sales persure... run man run!!!
Hype of the dojo or instructor
The trophies in the window
News clip about the dojo or instructor, the list goes on..........

Though do to the popularity of the Internet and youtube, people are draw to systems now do to what they see/read

If one finds the correct instructor (and their is one for everyone) the style really does not matter... Unless you have a deep burning desire to do a said type...

DO YOUR HOMEWORK on every dojo you visit, vist as many as you can (you got a few months before settling down use this time) and visit them 5-10 times before making a decision and Never sign a contract.
Talk to the instructor, you will find that after 2 - 3 times talking with them their sales pitch Will" change and you'll gain for more info than if you only talked once.
Think of it as talking to a doctor (then getting 2-3 opinions) about a life altering operation...

***Its your money you can spend it wisely and gain knowledge or foolishly and loose both!!!

ALSO, don't be afraid to move on if your first choice did/doesn't work, take that lesion and info gained and move on....

I hope you find the correct Instructor, that will draw out your innner skills....

Raelyn · 01-26-2008, 03:21 PM

Spirit,
Thank you for the advice. I totally agree with what everyone is saying about school over style, and I have by no means decided anything yet. I don't plan on making any final decisions until I have had a chance to visit each and every dojo on my list (and it's a long one). I guess the reason that I posted questions about two specific styles (Kyokushin and Seido) is because out of all the websites and reviews of places in LA I have read over the net, those two dojo's look the best to me so far. I am now leaning towards those styles because of those schools, not because of the style itself. As far as what I am looking for in a school and style, the most important thing aside from a quality education, is that I am challenged. I want to EARN my belt, not go to some belt factory Mcdojo where they crank out BB's left and right. The more I think about why I am suddenly wanting to get into this at age 26 is because I want a personal challenge. I want to set a goal for myself, and meet that goal. As far as competing goes, this is something that I would probably be interested in a little down the road, once I got comfortable, but not in first year or so. Anyhow, thank you again everyone for your advice and I certainly welcome anymore that you may have.

ushideshinidan · 01-26-2008, 05:46 PM

Osu Raelyn!
As vapor said, the instructor, the atmosphere and camadery are very important when you want to select a dojo. That being said, you should pick the style of martial art in regards of your needs and what you are looking for. As far as Kyokushin karate, it is one of the most demanding style, physically and emotionnally. We work on flexibility, perfect techniques, focus, concentration and to never abandon...All of these are great things to apply in your own life...Best of luck!
"Keep your head low (modesty), eyes high (ambition), mouth shut (serenity); base yourself on filial piety and benefit others"
Osu!

seienchin · 01-27-2008, 08:37 AM

Raelyn - you haven't said specifically, but I am guessing from your forum-name that you are female? This adds another layer to your choosing, because dojos and instructors vary enormously in their attitudes to women, and women vary enormously in how they wish to be treated.

Watch several classes of the dojos that end up on your shortlist, and take particular notice of how the women are treated. Are there any? Are they full participants? or are there things that they are not allowed/welcome to do? Watch some a variety of activities, including free-sparring, and compare (brutally honestly) their standard against the men. Are they treated like fragile porcelain dolls? Or have they all been scared and bullied away? A hallmark of a "bad" dojo for women is one where the standard of the women at the same belt level is allowed to be much lower than the men. Are there any female senior belts or black belts? If there are not, ask why not. Don't be shy about this. Do women do the same grading syllabus as the men? Including board breaking? I'm not going to say what the "right" answers to these questions are, because only you know that...but if you don't ask or look, you won't learn how you can expect to be treated.

Also ask about tournament opportunities for women in that style. There is ENORMOUS variability between styles in terms of the amount of opportunity that women get. Some knockdown styles don't have knockdown tournaments for women, or if they do, not all dojos support them. And even within styles, there is variation. Kyokushin's various branches have varying levels of committment to elite women's fighting. This is not such a big issue as a beginner, but could be a driver to change styles later on.

Good luck!

Raelyn · 01-27-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seienchin

Raelyn - you haven't said specifically, but I am guessing from your forum-name that you are female? This adds another layer to your choosing, because dojos and instructors vary enormously in their attitudes to women, and women vary enormously in how they wish to be treated.

Watch several classes of the dojos that end up on your shortlist, and take particular notice of how the women are treated. Are there any? Are they full participants? or are there things that they are not allowed/welcome to do? Watch some a variety of activities, including free-sparring, and compare (brutally honestly) their standard against the men. Are they treated like fragile porcelain dolls? Or have they all been scared and bullied away? A hallmark of a "bad" dojo for women is one where the standard of the women at the same belt level is allowed to be much lower than the men. Are there any female senior belts or black belts? If there are not, ask why not. Don't be shy about this. Do women do the same grading syllabus as the men? Including board breaking? I'm not going to say what the "right" answers to these questions are, because only you know that...but if you don't ask or look, you won't learn how you can expect to be treated.

Also ask about tournament opportunities for women in that style. There is ENORMOUS variability between styles in terms of the amount of opportunity that women get. Some knockdown styles don't have knockdown tournaments for women, or if they do, not all dojos support them. And even within styles, there is variation. Kyokushin's various branches have varying levels of committment to elite women's fighting. This is not such a big issue as a beginner, but could be a driver to change styles later on.

Good luck!

seienchin,
Thanks for the thoughtful post, but I'm a dude. The name is just from my Xbox live screen name Raelyn Finnity, long story where that came from. In regards to what ushideshinidan said, and some others, about what I'm looking for in a style? Like I said above, I want to be challenged. It's just in my personality to want to pick the "hardest", most demanding style. I want to find a style that pushes me to my limits.

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