Goju Ryu Karate - A martial art originating from Okinawa, Japan.
‘Karate’ as a name for a martial art is credited as arising from the island of Okinawa in the early part of the 20th Century. The term is a combination of two Kanji characters ‘Kara’ and ‘Te’ literally meaning ‘Empty’ and ‘Hands’.
The modernisation of Japanese culture allowed the martial art masters of this time to travel more freely. It was inevitable that over the subsequent decades a process of rationalisation would occur that would consolidate the many different regional styles of Japanese karate into just a handful of authentic, traditional variants that come under the generic umbrella term of karate we recognise today.
Goju Ryu karate was founded in 1933 by Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953). It is a traditional form of karate that can trace its origins back to the regional style of Naha-te taught by Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1914) in the Naha district of Okinawa during the later half of the 19th Century. The teaching methods of Naha-te can in turn be traced back to the ancient style of martial arts taught by the Shaolin Monks of China.
In translation ‘Go” means ‘hard’ (to smash, to resist, to be solid), and ‘Ju’ means ‘soft’ (to deflect, to whip, to react fast). The application of both hard and soft techniques defines the Goju Ryu style of karate.
Goju Ryu today
Goju Ryu is a flourishing and popular martial art taught in over 50 countries under the auspices of the IOGKF of Japan. The EGKA is a non-profit making association with over 1500 members. It is affiliated to the IOGKF and is committed to the governance of Goju Ryu in England.
Sensei Ernie is the Chief Instructor of the EGKA, and he also sits on the Executive Technical Committee of the IOGKF.
At a time when many martial arts have become so diluted they now have more in common with aerobic dance classes, Goju Ryu has remained true to its roots. It remains an effective fighting system, teaching strikes, blocks, locks, throws and grappling techniques.
The reward of training
Nothing that is worth having comes easy, and it is no different with Goju Ryu. It can takes many years of hard, but enjoyable, training before most individuals begin to feel confident about their karate skills.
In an age when instant gratification seems to be the only priority, it is rewarding to see so many students join us each year and stay the course to earn their black belt years later.
It may be that students start out believing that self-defence is the goal. They soon discover that particular aspect is only a by-product of the more rewarding pursuit of self-improvement through regular training. Improving physical strength, agility, mental concentration, tenacity and self-confidence all come into the mix.
BKA TRAINING TIMES
Sir David English Sports Centre
Adult Seniors:
Wed: 19:00 - 20:30
Fri: 19:00 - 20:30
Adult Beginners:
Thu: 19:00 - 20:30
Goju Ryu Combat Class:
Tue: 19:00 - 20:30
(GRC Classes start on 06/03/12)
Littledown Sports Centre
Adult Beginners and Seniors:
Mon: 18:30 - 20:00
Beginner‘s free trial
Try 2 weeks of training for free. No contracts. No obligations.
Just turn up on Monday or Thursday wearing a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms and give it a go …
Read more …