Goju and Tensho

[miked]

Maxwell,

There is a misconception that Tensho represents the "soft" vs "hard" aspect of Goju-ryu.

Advanced practitioners of Goju believe that Tensho is actually represents a "hard" aspect of the system.

Jim,

I am looking to expand my repertoire of kata and I thought I would start with a similar system and a form that I could easily learn, given my Uechi lineage. Tensho has very familiar movements so it made sense to me to start with this particular form.

It appears to me that the practice of Tensho may provide the benefit of further developing internal strength.

I realize that the "breathing" topic has been discussed "ad infinitum" in the various forums. My specific question concerning the Goju breathing practice is the statement that this hard breathing may lead to a stroke.

Would some please explain why a stroke may occur with this type of hard breathing?

Has anyone ever encountered or heard of a Goju practitioner suffering a stroke due to this breathing practice? Is there any scientific evidence or studies to support this claim?


My secondary purpose in learning the form is to obtain my USANKF (WKF) kata license. The USA-NKF licensing test requiremes the performance of a shitei kata and a tokui kata from their approved lists. The approved lists only include Wado-Ryu, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu and Shotokan forms. All other systems are excluded from the approved list. Tensho is a Tokui kata and the movements are familiar so, once again, it made sense to me to learn and practice this form for the licensing test. The other form that I have chosen to practice and learn is Wado's version of Seisan called "Seishan".

By the way, I do not wish to turn this discussion into a debate over WKF rules. They are what they are and I am choosing to participate within these rules despite the fact that major systems (such as Isshin-Ryu, Shorin-ryu, Uechi-ryu and the like) are excluded from the approved kata lists

Best regards,

Mike DeDonato
www.uechi-la.org
mjdcgb@ca.rr.com

[JimHawkins]

Jim,

I am looking to expand my repertoire of kata and I thought I would start with a similar system and a form that I could easily learn, given my Uechi lineage. Tensho has very familiar movements so it made sense to me to start with this particular form.

It appears to me that the practice of Tensho may provide the benefit of further developing internal strength.

My secondary purpose in learning the form is to obtain my USANKF (WKF) kata license. The USA-NKF licensing test requiremes the performance of a shitei kata and a tokui kata from their approved lists. The approved lists only include Wado-Ryu, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu and Shotokan forms.

Thanks for the reply..

Well if you need it for some requirement then you need it..

As far as internal strength--I guess I don't know exactly what is meant in this case.. I see kata and forms as the baseline seeds of movement and mechanics for a given system or a kind of alphabet. I don't see them as a way to train to fight since they cannot provide a context for the movements, eg timed with a live opponent, live energy and live change and live resistance.

There is a misconception that Tensho represents the "soft" vs "hard" aspect of Goju-ryu.

Advanced practitioners of Goju believe that Tensho is actually represents a "hard" aspect of the system.

Haven't heard of this.. Is this documented anywhere?

Most of the movements appear to be in Uechi and WCK for that matter.

I realize that the "breathing" topic has been discussed "ad infinitum" in the various forums. My specific question concerning the Goju breathing practice is the statement that this hard breathing may lead to a stroke.

I'm sure Bill will have some thoughts on this matter.

For me, I look at it in terms of vascular pressure and in a sense straining.. I see the possible connection to Iron Shirt but this kind of breathing IMO doesn't lead to looseness, which IMO is also critical for changing and adapting to the opponent's energy..

Best of luck to you Mike.

[Kuma-de]

Mike, Please see my reply regarding health risks and Tensho here:

http://forums.uechi-ryu.com/viewtopic.php?t=18874

Tensho may appear to have both Go & Ju components, but the true gentleness lies in the bunkai of the kata vs. that of its opposite Sanchin.

[NEB]

There is a misconception that Tensho represents the "soft" vs "hard" aspect of Goju-ryu.

Advanced practitioners of Goju believe that Tensho is actually represents a "hard" aspect of the system.

It appears to me that the practice of Tensho may provide the benefit of further developing internal strength.

Tensho can bee looked at as a wei-gung, iron shirt-type exercise. Its internal component is the reason many practitioners would say it represents the "ju" rather than the "go". Also, take into consideration the meaning of "tensho". Which, I believe, is something like "circling hands" or "circling movements". Generally, any in-depth study of circular movements lends itself toward the soft (ju). Especially the first few moves. After the initial sanchin set up the hands each execute a series of circular (or semi-circular) blocks followed by a palm strike. These are coordinated with the breath.

As far as the practice leading to cardio-vascular problems, I am sure others would adress that better than I, but I know of many very high level gojuka that have never encountered any health-related issues due to the practice of kata with that focused breathing.

nb