Why do You Need to Learn Goju Ryu Karate Goju Ryu Karate is one among Japan's principal styles

of traditional karate and includes a mix of soft as well as hard techniques. The term Go! stands for hard in Japanese and is a reference to the use of straight" continuous attacks or closed hand mo#ements. Ju! stands for soft and is a reference to circular mo#ements and open hand methods used to attack" $lock or control the opponent while in a fight. %s is e#ident from the name" Goju Ryu incorporates $oth hard and soft techniques & the hard linear attacks like closed punches" kicks and the like are com$ined with softer techniques like locks" throws" grappling and other similar mo#es. Goju Ryu primarily comprises two kata! or forms as is called in 'hinese martial arts & the (anchin and Tensho kata. (anchin kata lays special stress on $reathing properly while the Tensho kata is more focused on teaching the softer techniques. )#erall" the training includes exercises for conditioning and strengthening the $ody" learning the correct reactions to com$at *for example how to generate power" how much distance to keep etc+. ,artner drills form another important aspect of Goju Ryu. Major philosophies associated with Goju Ryu %ccording to founder 'hojun -iyagi" Goju Ryu has a more holistic nature and is not to $e taken only as a form of com$at sport. .e $elie#ed that Goju Ryu radically aims at $uilding character" conquering human misery and e#entually finding spiritual freedom. .e philosophi/ed that self defense training should ideally $e accompanied with mental training. .e also $elie#ed that intellect culti#ation was more important than strength culti#ation. %ccording to him" Goju & the com$ination of hard and soft must $e applied not only to karate $ut also applied to life. To understand life and li#e it in a fulfilling manner" $alancing hardness and softness is #ery crucial. 0#en today majority of Goju Ryu schools stay in coherence with founder -iyagi's philosophy and include it in the training curriculum. Kata in Goju Ryu training Traditionally" the Goju Ryu training curriculum included twel#e fundamental forms or kata. 1efore progressing to the higher stage of sandan" students are required to $e proficient in each of the twel#e kata which are" two forms of gekisai" suparenpai" saifa" tensho" seiyunchin" sanchin" seisan" kururunfa" saipai" sanseiru as well as shisochin. To help students $e well #ersed with the practical applications of a kata" each is followed $y a fighting drill for two people to practice their skills. Known as $unkai oyo" these drills help students hone their attacking or defending skills" esta$lishing effecti#e rhythm as well as flow and also practice dangerous mo#es on an opponent under the safe guidance of a super#isor. Typically" (anchin is considered to $e the foundation for all other kata. 'onsequently" it is regarded as the most important of the 23 kata and is a must for a student to ace. 4t can $e considered a form of mo#ing meditation & the one that aims to unify the three principal forces of the $ody" mind and spirit. 'onsidering how important this kata is" trainers perform (anchin techniques slow enough to ena$le students to effecti#ely master the correct $reathing technique" posture" mo#ements" internal strength and also attain a sta$ility of the $ody and mind.

Benefits of learning Goju Ryu Karate The martial art form of Goju &Ryu has se#eral $enefits to offer to those that practice it" here are some of them5 I pro!ed "hysical #ealth$ ,ractitioners of Goju &Ryu Karate undergo rigorous training that de#elops their flexi$ility" dexterity and strength" and also impro#es $lood pressure and $lood circulation in the $ody. 4t also culti#ates the ha$it of regular exercise" a must in today6s sedentary lifestyle. I pro!ed Mental #ealth$ Goju7Ryu karate teaches its practitioners discipline and respect and the a$ility to maintain calm and tranquility at all times and in all situations. The impro#ed physical fitness also contri$utes to a healthy state of the mind" which is a key requirement to success in all walks of life in general. I pro!ed %elf&'stee and %elf&(onfidence$ the a$ility to effecti#ely defend oneself against threat com$ined with the heightened physical and mental state attained $y practitioners of Goju7 Ryu karate inspire a sense of self7confidence and raise one6s self esteem. This new found self7 confidence permeates into other areas of one6s life and pro#ides in#alua$le $enefits.

'heck the Goju Ryu listings at Go3Karate to disco#er schools that pro#ide ser#ices related to this holistic karate form.