Goju Ryu
Gōjū-ryū (Japanese for "hard-soft style") is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Both principles come from the famous martial arts book Bubishi used by Okinawan masters during the 19th and 20th centuries. Go, which means hard, refers to closed hand techniques and straight linear attacks; Ju, which means soft, refers to open hand techniques and circular movements. Gōjū-ryū incorporates both into its curriculum, combining hard striking attacks such as kicks and close hand punches with softer open hand circular techniques for attacking, blocking, and controlling the opponent, including locks, grappling, take downs and throws.
The two sides of Goju Ryu are reflected in its two core katas: Sanchin which reflects the Go and Tensho which reflects the Ju. Goju Ryu is one of the few systems that retains the traditional training methods of Hojo Undo (the use of weights and traditional implements to increase strength and agility) and kakie (a pushing hands technique that teaches you to anticipate and react to an opponents intentions through continuous contact) .
The two sides of Goju Ryu are reflected in its two core katas: Sanchin which reflects the Go and Tensho which reflects the Ju. Goju Ryu is one of the few systems that retains the traditional training methods of Hojo Undo (the use of weights and traditional implements to increase strength and agility) and kakie (a pushing hands technique that teaches you to anticipate and react to an opponents intentions through continuous contact) .
International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF)
The International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF) is the largest traditional Okinawan Karate organization in the world. Under the leadership of World Chief Instructor, Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura and his International Executive committee, IOGKF International is committed to preserving the intangible cultural treasure of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do, which has been passed down to us in its original form from one generation to the next.
For more information on the IOGKF see their website - www.iogkf.com
For more information on the IOGKF see their website - www.iogkf.com
English Goju Ryu Karate-Do Association (EGKA)
The EGKA was formed in 1973 under the guidance of Sensei James Rousseau. Since then it has expanded across England with over 1,500 active members today training in over 30 dojos. An EGKA line-up can field a very impressive array of senior 8th, 7th, and 6th Dan instructors to rival any other country, including Japan.
The current EGKA Chief Instructor is Sensei Ernie Molyneux 8th dan (vice chief instructor to the IOGKF) who in conjunction with his senior instructors, runs many EGKA sponsored courses and seminars across England. Sensei Ernie´s international reputation often takes him abroad and his teaching skills are in demand from military special forces units around the world.
The primary objective of the EGKA is to teach and preserve the unarmed combat system of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. The consequences of not preserving the traditional teaching methods can be seen by the explosion of so many divergent styles of karate in the last few decades. Although their continuing popularity confirms they must serve a worthy purpose, it is sometimes hard to recognise an effective fighting system contained within their teachings methods. The importance of the EGKA´s contribution to preserving Goju-Ryu karate as a highly effective self-defence fighting system should never be underestimated, nor forgotten.
All EGKA dojo are run by licensed instructors who are properly insured, police vetted and required to undergo continuous training themselves in order to maintain the high standards expected by the association.
For more information on The English Goju Ryu Karate-do Association please see their website - www.egka.org.uk
The current EGKA Chief Instructor is Sensei Ernie Molyneux 8th dan (vice chief instructor to the IOGKF) who in conjunction with his senior instructors, runs many EGKA sponsored courses and seminars across England. Sensei Ernie´s international reputation often takes him abroad and his teaching skills are in demand from military special forces units around the world.
The primary objective of the EGKA is to teach and preserve the unarmed combat system of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. The consequences of not preserving the traditional teaching methods can be seen by the explosion of so many divergent styles of karate in the last few decades. Although their continuing popularity confirms they must serve a worthy purpose, it is sometimes hard to recognise an effective fighting system contained within their teachings methods. The importance of the EGKA´s contribution to preserving Goju-Ryu karate as a highly effective self-defence fighting system should never be underestimated, nor forgotten.
All EGKA dojo are run by licensed instructors who are properly insured, police vetted and required to undergo continuous training themselves in order to maintain the high standards expected by the association.
For more information on The English Goju Ryu Karate-do Association please see their website - www.egka.org.uk