The History
A brief account of the history of Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do can be read on the Okinawan Karate Do Kenkyu Kai website. Please follow this link to read this account... www.okd-itk.com
A more detailed historic view can be read in Higaonna Senseis book "Traditonal Karate-Do - Okinawa Goju Ryu", Morio Higaonna, Sugawara Martial Arts inc. Tokyo 1993 (ISBN 0-87040-595-0).
Other sites that can provide a greater insite into Okinawan Goju Ryu are listed below:-
The founder of today's Goju Ryu karate, Miyagi Chojun , was born at Okinawa in 1888
Morio Higaonna Sensei,
10th dan and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do federation (IOGKF)
The UK History of Goju Ryu
The English Goju-Ryu Karate Do Association was formed in 1973 under the guidance of Sensei James Rousseau and was formally known as BGKA. The founder dojos of the BGKA were Liverpool, Portsmouth, London and Fife.
The Chief Instructor of the EGKA is Sensei Ernie Molyneux who, working in collaboration with his senior instructors, runs courses and seminars throughout the UK as well as internationally.
In 1979 the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association was formed in Poole, England
Visit the links below for more on UK Goju Ryu:-
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Sensei Ernie Molyneux (IOGKF 7th dan) is the chief instructor of the EGKA
Sensei Felix Nelson 5th dan, chief instructor at his New Cross dojo
Goju Ryu Training Method
There are 4 main categories when training, these are:-
Kihon
"Basics"- the practice of blocks, punches, kicks and stances
Kata
"Form"- pre-arranged forms simulating combat situations
Kumit
"Sparring"- combat situations practiced with an opponent
Hojo Undo
"Supplementary training"- the use of weights and implements to increase strength and agility
In each category the individual is given instruction at the most basic level until the techniques become spontaneous. As the student advances technically, they progress physically and develop greater stamina. At the same time they learn increasingly intricate kata and more dynamic forms of kumite.
As the student approaches black belt level, technique, stamina, speed and co-ordination become natural as a result of intensive practice.
It is at this stage that the serious students discover the wonderful world that karate has opened to them.
Kyu Grade Belt Colours
Belt colours are as follows:-
White - 10th Kyu
Yellow - 9th Kyu
Orange - 8th Kyu
Green - 7th Kyu
Blue - 6th Kyu
Purple - 5th Kyu
Purple White Stripe - 4th Kyu
Brown - 3rd Kyu
Brown 1 Tag - 2nd Kyu
Brown 2 Tag - 1st Kyu
Black
The object of true karate practice is the perfection of ones self through perfection of the art
