THE VALUE OF GOJU-RYU KARATE TRAINING
For most City dwellers, modern life deprives us of the exercise needed for physical and mental health. With regular training, Goju-Ryu karate tones the body, developes co-ordination, improves flexibility and builds stamina. Some may say " So does going to the Gym", true, up to a point ,however, at the Gym can you honestly say you would train with as much consistency when left to your own discipline? Goju-Ryu developes composure, an insight into your capabilities and gives you self-esteem (therefore self-confidence) in your achievments in what is a very challenging form of Karate. It will help get rid of aggression , half an hours intensive padwork will see to that.The right diet and regular training will help you reduce weight making you fit for living. The bonus is, for your efforts, as well as feeling fitter and better you will have the capability if defending you and yours.You don't get that at the Gym!
GOJU-RYU KARATE FOR SELF-DEFENCE
Goju-Ryu is one of the most dynamic of Martial Arts. The trained Karate practitioner (karateka) is able to co-ordinate their mind and body enabling them to unleash tremendous power at will. It's not strength alone that makes good fighting karate, rather the ability to co-ordinate the body to move and strike with accuracy at the right time, so, a small person can deliver a devastating blow to an attacker. Even one of the many "blocks" against a punch, kick or strike when used with timing, accuracy and technique can inflict a severe injury. Like all original Okinawan karate styles Goju-Ryu was devised for brutal defence against an untrained attacker. It was never designed for one martial artist to fight another.In 19th century Okinawa weapons were banned,therefore the law abiding could not carry them, so, karate was developed, using the indigenous weaponless arts and those imported from China. Goju-Ryu is noted for its close quarter fighting and releasing techniques which can be used if you're grabbed from behind, a strangle hold from the front/behind, a lapel grab and many other techniques.There are also groundwork techniques that can be brought into play, not as many as Judo or Jujitsu admitted, that is their Art, but enough to defend yourself, so you can get up and run away.
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IS GOJU-RYU KARATE FOR YOU?
Goju-Ryu can be practised by anyone, regardless of build, gender, age, athletic ability or whatever, no previous proficiency in sport in required. What is required is commitment and a desire to progress, that, of course, goes for any sport/discipline requiring physical activity, without these two ingredients you are merely dabbling. Whatever your physical condition the exercises and training are scaled to introduce you methodically to this fascinating Art. Progress depends entirely upon the individual not a group level, that is to say, a beginner will not be expected to "keep up" with more experienced students.You can join at any time and initially go at your own pace, with regular training you'll become more proficient and want to progress and learn more about what you can achieve. Sadly, the public has this mind set that Karate is only about fighting, obviously you need to be able to fight to defend yourself, you certainly do that in Goju-Ryu, but would thousands of people devote so much time, indeed, decades of their lives to Martial Arts if fighting was the only outcome? Common sense says, no.
GOJU-RYU KARATE TRAINING.
Goju-ryu training can be basically divided into three categories, these are....
- KIHON. Basic blocks, punches,stances,kicks, footwork and evasion.
- KATA. Pre-arranged movements executed with emphasis and vigour simulating combat situations. These increase in complexity as the student progresses with their grades. Great emphasis is placed on Kata, it is the very backbone of Goju-Ryu. To the casual observer it's merely someone "waving their arms and legs about", however , within these movements are many of the fighting techniques used in Goju-Ryu, you need to know what you're looking at. The movements in themselves, if done with meaning, also contribute heavily towards the students fitness.
- KUMITE'. Sparring. This can be one attack, one counter/defence technique, an attack with a more complex retaliation which could include a take-down technique. Half-speed sparring (randori) here students try out their abilities, learning from their partner and trying out techniques in safety. Good for all grades but especially lower grades, it builds up confidence(or deflates egos). The next step is free-sparring (jiyu kumite') here, all that's been learned and practiced in randori can be executed with more speed and power, but in a controlled manner, there is no room at Norton Dojo or any other O.T.G.K.A./I.O.G.K.F. Dojo for uncontrolled aggresion.Interspersed with the above are many more varieties of training. However, a full description of each and every one would need a very big book.
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Gichin Funakoshi
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The ultimate aim of the Art of Karate. do lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants |
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There exsists
no first attack in Karate.
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Okinawan and "Father"
of Karate.do
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