INTERVIEW WITH GRANDMASTER ALVIN TAN OON LYE
Grandmaster Alvin Tan Oon Lye (8th Dan Goju) is the President of Asian Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation and President/Grandmaster of Goju Ryu Karate-Do Seiwa Kai Singapore (GKSS). The GKSS flourishes because of Sensei Alvin Tan. Without him there is nothing, he is the role model, mentor, teacher and friend to all who train with him. He has devoted his life to the art and transmitted his knowledge to his entire student regardless of races or religions. The main Hombu Dojo is in Singapore with Affiliates from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, West Africa, Pakistan, Nepal, etc.
Many have benefited from his teaching, not only physically but also in recognition, and mental aspect as well as the way of karate-do. I found my Sensei to be very open, someone who genuinely wanted to help others. He had a huge and generous heart with no sense of arrogance. It is hard to find such a person with such a passion in teaching karate. His teaching is very simple, nothing over-complicated. His philosophy is to learn the true meaning of life and to be a true karate-ka.
He has a long history of accomplishment and he always put karate and his student as his first agenda. Just to name a few, he was inducted into the International Hall of Fame from WHFSC, IMAL, USMA, IAKK, HMAS and AKOI. The President Active Lifestyle Award and President Physical Fitness Award by US President George Bush and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also gave him the Prince Sport awards.
I have the privilege and honor to interview my Sensei during my annual training in Singapore with my students in January 2005.
Q: Sensei Alvin, when did you begin your training? A: I start training karate in 1970, when I was 14 years old. My first Sensei is Sensei Loh Kong Weng of Shito
Ryu style.
Q: How come you are teaching Goju Karate? A: Due to the long distance from my house to Sensei Loh’s dojo, in 1971, I went to Queenstown Karate Club for training under Sensei Alfred Tan. Sensei Alfred Tan was from
Goju Ryu Style. I took over Queenstown Karate Club as the President and Chief Instructor in 1976 when Sensei Alfred Tan retired to expand his business venture.
Q: How did you get involved with IKGA and Kaicho Gogen Yamaguchi?
A: I have no Instructor to teach me since I took over Queenstown Karate Club. In 1986, I went to Japan for training with IKGA. Since then, I attended regular training in Japan. I was accepted by Kaicho
Gogen Yamaguchi as his disciple in 1986 and was appointed as the Singapore Director by his son Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi in 1st Jan 1991.
Q: Sensei, can you enlighten us, what is Goju Ryu Karate-do? A: Goju Ryu Karate-do composed of Yang (Go), which is positive and Yin (Ju), which is negative. The external life of the universe develops with the positive and negative force working together. This is the same as
for the lives of human being. Life has both Go and Ju and sometimes connected by becoming the will and harmony. Karate is a way to learn about life. Karate-do is a state of spirit (will), a way of life, a philosophy. To be able
to understand these, you need to practice diligently over a long period of time. Goju-Ryu is a close-range self-defense system, characterizes by circular blocks, joint manipulations and kicking techniques to the lower body.
Dynamic tension and breathing are the major elements in our training.
Q: You mentioned that karate-do is a philosophy, what is the philosophy of
Goju-Ryu? A: The philosophy behind Goju-Ryu is demonstrated in Master Chojun Miyagi words “Not
to be hit/attacked or to hit/attack, the absence of conflict is the essence”.
Q: One of the characteristics of Goju-Ryu is circular blocks, how do
you apply the circular blocks? A: The techniques of Goju-Ryu are based on the infinite
combination of “Go” (stiffness and strength) and “Ju” (softness and flexibility). One can use the circular movements of “Ju” to counter the “Go” attack and swiftly fight back with “Go”. Q: During the
Seminar, you taught us Sanchin and Tensho, Sensei, can you elaborate on the breathing (ibuki) in Sanchin and Tensho. A: In Sanchin, you make the whole body, all the nerves, etc. extremely tense and do not let
your guard down even for a moment. You breathe through the nostril over the head down the spine and spiraling into the tan ten, the breath and energy are then expelled forcibly in a straight line up and through the mouth in an
explosive extremely powerful and energizing manner. On the other hand, in Tensho, you do not show a gust of fighting spirit; you keep it inside your body and wait for a chance to use it. As a result, Tensho draws a gentle curve and
flows. Goju use this unique method of breathing. The technique can be changed from Go to Ju and Ju to Go; while you move without distraction, you still go along with the movements of the opponent which I have explained to you
during the Seminar. Do not forget that all karate-kas have the same goal: to learn how to breathe, it is our breathing that permits us to live and this is attained through the practice of karate-do.
Q: How do we do meditation? A: Let me
illustrate one simple way to do meditation. Sit on the floor or a chair. Choose a posture that allows you to stay comfortable while you keep your back, neck and head aligned (straight). Once you clear your mind, begin paying
attention to your breathing. Make sure it is slow and deep and emanating from your stomach. After a few seconds, let your eyes close and focus once again on your breathing. Do not let thoughts distract you. If one enters your
sub-consciousness, don’t attach to it. Instead let it goes and focus again on your breathing. Continue for as long as you feel comfortable, gradually work up to 15 minutes.
Q: Why do we have to practice meditation at the end of the class?
A: It is to train your (spiritual) heart and body and to keep your mind clear.
Q: What are your advise for your students?
A: We must not only learn karate, we must learn karate-do (the way of karate). Karate-do is not only the
acquisition of certain defensive skill but also mastering the arts of being good, respectful and honest member of society.
Work hard on your basic and be strong in fundamental and foundation, keep your mind focus. Be courtesy, self-discipline and sensitive to others.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SENSEI ALVIN TAN FOR HIS TIME AND PATIENCE, AND TO WISH HIM AND HIS MANY MEMBERS ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE ESPECIALLY THE ASIAN GOJU RYU KARATE-DO FEDERATION.
YOURS IN KARATE SHIHAN PREMJIT SEN (5th Dan)