History of Martial Arts

Karate is a product of 20^th century, its roots can be traced to ancient India, China and Okinawa. India which developed Yoga and its various breathing methods, has greatly influenced the fighting techniques of the east. Many consider India to be the birth place of martial arts. During the 5^th and 6^th centuries B.C. Indian combat techniques resembling modern Karate were transferred to China by Zen Buddhist monks. At the end of the 5^th century, a Buddhist priest named Bodhidharma travelled to China from India to teach at the Shaolin Monastery. There he taught the monks a combination of Yoga and Indian fist fighting that became the fighting system of Shaolin. As their religion prohibited the use of weapons the monks had to rely on these methods of empty-handed fighting know as Shorinji Kempo. Shorinji Kempo also included methods of fighting with natural weapons such as the "Bo" - a walking stick carried by the monks. This truly Chinese art was never to revive in China but before dying out, Kempo had spread to the Ryukyu Islands where it was to give birth to Karate. Chinese families emigrated to Okinawa, introducing Kempo to the Ryukyu Islands. In 1609, the Ryukyu islands were conquered by Japanese warlord Shimazu. Because the Okinawans had refused to help Shimazu, he issued strict law prohibiting all weapons and martial arts practice. Once again the Okinawans went undercover and developed and art of empty-handed fighting, developing a paralled practice of using farm implements as defensive weapons against Samurai Swords. This fighting art became known as Okinawa - te. Masters Anko Itosu and Kanryo Higashionna were the foremost Karate instructors in Okinawa. Anko Itosu developed the Shuri-te school and Kanryo Higashonna developed Naha-te school of Karate. The schools were named after the two largest cities - Shrui and Naha. Chojun Miyagi who was Kanryo Higashionna foremost student later established Goju Ryu in 1927-28.Choshin Chibana who was a student of Anko Itosu named his style Shorin Ryu in 1933. Kanbun Uechi who had practices Chinese Kempo founded Uechi Ryu in 1947. In 1879, the Ryukyu Islands became Japanese provinces and Okinawan Karate went to Japan. The first official Karate demonstration outside of Okinawa was held in 1916 by Okinawan experts including Gichin Funakoshi who founded Shotokan. In 1922, the first Karate book "Ryukyu Kempo Karate" was published by Gichin Funakoshi. In 1929 Chojun Miyagi founder of Goju ryu went to Japan to teach the style. Gogen Yamaguchi was responsible for the spread of Goju-Ryu in Japan.

WHAT IS GOJU RYU KARATE DOH?

Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-Doh is a blend of Chinese soft and flowing dynamics of White Crane Kung Fu (from the Fukien Province in China), and, the powerful and destructive techniques of Okinawan Kempo (way of the fist). Goju Ryu Karate-Doh literally means 'The way of the Half hard, Half Soft System of Empty Hand.' Goju Ryu was developed by Miyagi Chojun O'Sensei (1888-1953), a wealthy Okinawan, who devoted his entire life to the study and development of the art of Naha-Te from his teacher Higaonna Kanryo Sensei (1853-1915). Higaonna kanryo Sensei studied Shaolin Kempo in Foochow, Fukien province, China from Master Ryu Ryuko. On Higaonna Sensei's return to Naha, Okinawa, he opened a Dojo in Nishimachi at his home. His reputation spread and many sought him out for instruction, however, many did not last as the training was severe. Miyagi Chojun Sensei started his training with Higaonna Sensei when he was fourteen years old. Miyagi Sensei was one of the few that remained with Higaonna Sensei and preserved with his training. When Higaonna Sensei passed away in October 1916, Miyagi Sensei was the natural successor and continued with the refinement and advancement of Naha-Te. In 1921, Miyagi Sensei performed Naha-Te to the then crown prince Hirohito at Nakagusuku Bay in Okinawa. This performance impressed upon the crown prince that Karate-doh was highly developed in Okinawa. Miyagi Sensei was one of the first teachers of Karate-doh to teach outside of Japan. In 1934, he went to Hawaii to spread Okinawa Goju Ryu.
Miyagi Sensei was represented by his most senior student, Shinzato Jin'an the All Japan Martial Arts Tournament, which was held to celebrate the Coronation of Hirohito. After his demonstration of Kata, he was asked which school of karate he represented. He did not have an answer as there was no name given to their brand of Naha-Te. On his return to Naha, he discussed this with Miyagi Sensei, who decided to choose a name from the "Eight Precepts" of Chinese Kempo found in the document called "Bubishi". It translates as "The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness". Miyagi Sensei's training was also severe and testing. The training focused around Sanchin Kata and Jumbi Undo, e.g. Nigiri-game (heavy stones jars), makiwara (striking post) and ude tanren (forearm conditioning). Sanchin Kata was repeated over and over again. Miyagi Sensei's most notable students were Seiko Higa Sensei, Miyazato Ei'ichi Sensei, Yagi Meitoku Sensei, Iha Koshin Sensei, Kina Seiko Sensei, Shinzato Jin'an Sensei, An'ichi Miyagi Sensei.
Goju Ryu defenses are circular, sweeping and deflective in nature (soft), whilst the attacks are direct, destructive and devastating (hard). Emphasis is given to a particular type of deep breathing kata called 'Sanchin' and 'Tensho'. With sincere and consistent practice of these two kata, it is possible to develop the internal organs, muscles, skeletal system, coordination, mind and spirit, without the use of body-building weights, expensive gyms and health clubs. The fighting techniques used in Goju Ryu are extremely effective in real life self-defense situations but are not conducive to the 'glamour' of competition Karate, which only allows you to use a limited number of techniques (e.g. gyaku tsuki, mawashi geri etc). Therefore we are convinced that kata (forms) is the soul of karate-Do as all the techniques can be practiced at full power and without the fear of endangering your training partners life. Goju Ryu Karate-Do can be practiced by children and adults, both male and female of any age. Whatever your present physical condition, the training is carefully packaged to introduce you to this fascinating and dynamic art. Progress depends entirely on your commitment and consistency. What you put into your training, so will you be rewarded.

Benefits of Goju Ryu Karate Training

Goju-Ryu Karate is a total mind and body well respected discipline that will improve your total well being - physically and mentally.

Physical Benefits

Lets face the reality, as we get older our physical capacities will diminish, we get weaker, we lose cardiovascular stamina, mobibilty and range motion reduces. With regular Goju-Ryu karate training will improve many physically characteristics such as:

• Strong cardio-vascular system
• Strong and tones muscular System
• Stronger and more bone density
• Lower fat and leaner muscles
• Increase range of motion and flexibility
• Strong joints and mobility
• Improve balance
• Improves coordination and agility at any age

Mental benefits:

Goju-Ryu Karate do is not a boring and repetitive physical activity like running or weight training, Goju-Ryu is an exciting mind and body discipline with many varieties of training that lead to following life-time psychological improvements:

• increase self confidence
• increase Self-esteem
• increase self control
• learn to set and achieve goals

Goju-Ryu Karate training also teaches students to channel mental energy in a positive manner, releasing anxieties caused by social or work related pressures. However, what is more important is Goju-Ryu karate is challenging physically and mentally and most all enjoyable.

The Goju-Ryu training can lead to the following health benefits:

• Reduces the risk of dying prematurely
• Reduces risk of heart diseases
• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes
• Reduces the risk of high blood pressure
• Reduces the feeling of depressions and anxiety
• Helps build stronger healthy bones and muscles
• Helps older adult become stronger and mobile
• Psychological well being.

Goju-Ryu Karate Unique Features

Goju-Ryu Karate do is extremely suitable for promoting a well balanced practitioner both mentally and physically as he or she learns and master the Goju-ryu techniques. The founder Chojun Miyagi sensei made a remarkable accomplishment in the early development of karate do by restructuring the styles into a modern physical education that adheres to the sports sciences principles that are in fashion today. Goju-ryu is the first Japanese and Okinawa karate style that incorporated a scientific warm up, cool down, and specific karate conditioning exercise program in early 1900s and the these principles are still valid today. The ultimate goal of Goju-ryu training is to achieve mind and body unity by practicing self-defense techniques.

The aim of practicing Goju-ryu is the development of a sound and well balanced individual by improving these human characteristics:

Develops Spiritual Aspects:

Goju-ryu training helps the practitioner improve his or her concentration by focusing on hard training. Goju-ryu also helps him or her develop a high level of self control, and become master of his or herself. In addition, by focusing on movement and powerful techniques, the student is trained to concentrate his or her will power and to release his or her strength as focused energy. As the student strives for mastery of the basic techniques, the katas, and kumite application, he or she will gain the personal power to achieve perfect harmony, inner and outer, physical and mental harmony from within.

Develops Physical Aspect:

Master Chojun Miyagi adopted the specific Goju-ryu warm (Junbi Undo)we use today at early stage to improve flexibility of the articulations, and the muscular system to prepare the body for the technical development. Master Chojun Miyagi also incorporate Hojo Undo or conditioning exercise using equipment to strength the whole body, to develop muscular endurance, agility and explosive powerful techniques at closed range combat. It is said that the secret of Goju-ryu is in its powerful movements coordinated with powerful deep breathing as seen in the fundamental breathing kata Sanchin.

Improvement of Health:

Goju-ryu karate do is one of the few karate styles that incorporates deep breathing into the daily practice. The basic kata Sanchin and Tensho are designed to develop internal energy by strengthening the internal organs. These two breathing patterns oxygenate body at the cellular level and teaches breath control and at the same time builds a strong body. The basic technical movements of blocks, punches, strikes, kicks, and Kata training develops the cardiovascular, the muscular, the skeleton , and respiratory system. The results is stronger immune system that protects the body from chronic diseases such, high blood pressure, stress, diabetes, osteoporosis and heart problems some of the most common diseases in today's sedentary life style.

Self-Defence:

Goju-ryu is traditional no nonsense reality base martial arts for men, women and children. The Goju-ryu technical training prepares the student to defend him or herself in any situation. Physical abilities such as athletic ability, agility, and the calm mind that comes from consistent and well structured training plays a tremendous roll in the a life and death situation. Through constant practice that suits the individual physical strength, the students can aim to achieve physical and inner strength to counter of any attack.

Major Reason to Practice Goju-Ryu Karate:

Goju-ryu can be learn by the young and the old , men and women. Through constant training, the students gradually becomes stronger and more confident. Another major advantage of Goju-ryu training is that it can be practice alone in a small place and at any time according to the body conditions and physical strength, and training in Goju-ryu is practically injury free.