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:
First develop the 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.
Second develop the 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.
Third is 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.
Fourth is self-defense:
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.
The fifth Major reason to practice Goju-ryu:
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.