Our Training

We offer personalized instruction in the traditional martial arts of Okinawa, specifically Gōjū-ryū karate and Yamanni Chinen-ryū kobujutsu. Our training program draws upon the knowledgeable teachings of Chinen Teruo Sensei (Jundōkan International) and Oshiro Toshihiro Sensei (RBKD). To learn more about these world-renowned instructors and their organizations, please visit the following links:

In 1996, after more than 40 years of dedicated training, Chinen Sensei organized and documented his insights into the essential characteristics of the Gōjū-ryū syllabus. Known as the Gōjū Happō, these eight aspects outline our training and can be further organized into the following four categories:

Culture

Culture serves as a gateway to understanding.

  • History & Tradition, through exploring it, we gain profound insights into the unique martial culture of Okinawa and its profound influence on the evolution of our arts. This wisdom is directly transmitted from one generation to the next, and it can only be truly appreciated through firsthand experience. By seeking the guidance of a qualified instructor and immersing ourselves in the supportive community of the dōjō, we engage in training that offers an authentic cultural experience, enabling us to achieve a comprehensive understanding.

  • Dōjōkun (同情訓) encompasses the philosophical bedrock of our training. As practitioners progress on their journey, the martial skills they cultivate carry immense significance. These principles act as a moral and ethical compass, guiding us in our practice and shaping our character.

Fitness

Fitness forms the solid foundation and outcome of our training. We engage in exercises to enhance our physical strength, endurance, and flexibility, allowing us to fully reap the benefits of our practice.

  • Kokyūhō (呼吸法), the art of breathwork, holds a significant place in Gōjū-ryū. By coordinating our breath with each bodily movement through various breathing patterns, we promote improved health, increased strength, and enhanced endurance. Proper breathing techniques serve as the cornerstone of our physical training.

  • Supplemental Training encompasses a diverse range of exercises combined with kokyūhō to enhance balance, coordination, endurance, flexibility, strength, and timing.

Junbi Undō (準備運動) comprises preparatory exercises performed at the beginning of each session. These exercises condition the body and prepare practitioners for the upcoming training.

Hojo Undō (補助運動) involves traditional calisthenics that utilize the resistance of one's body or that of a training partner. Examples include push-ups, sit-ups, and similar exercises.

Kigu Undō (器具運動) encompasses traditional exercises utilizing various Okinawan training equipment, such as the chi ishi, ishi sashi, kangoken, makiwara, nigiri game, and tan. These exercises are specifically designed to cultivate and reinforce proper body mechanics required for executing kata and self-protection techniques.

Form

Form is the fundamental aspect that gives shape and structure, acting as a mold. In the realm of karate, this concept is embodied in kata. By immersing ourselves in the practice of various kata from Gōjū-ryū and Yamanni-ryū, we mold and condition ourselves towards an ideal state.

  • Kata (形) consists of structured sequences of patterns that rely on the skilled execution by practitioners. They represent a living tradition that encompasses practical self-defense strategies and tactical movements. Kata is often regarded as the "heart and soul" of karate, as it marks the beginning and end of our karate journey. Our training places significant emphasis on the comprehensive study of kata and their practical applications. We recognize the profound significance of kata in shaping our karate expertise.

Skill

Skill is the embodiment of expertise and proficiency in performing tasks. In karate, this skill is cultivated through rigorous training that includes partner work, where the techniques, strategies, and tactics of kata are applied and put to the test, leading to self-protection proficiency.

  • Kakie (掛け合い) is a training method that involves "hooking hands" with a partner, often referred to as "sticky hands." Its primary objective is to develop a heightened sensitivity to the opponent's balance, movements, and intentions. Kakie serves as the foundational practice necessary for training and applying bunkai ōyō and kumite techniques.

  • Bunkai Ōyō (分解応用) focuses on the "analysis and practical application" of self-defense techniques found within kata. It represents an intermediate level of practice. Once the practitioner has grasped the fundamentals of kakie, they can delve into exploring the practical self-protection applications within the various kata.

  • Kumite (組手) and Randori (乱取) involve engaging in dynamic exchanges or close encounters with an opponent. While maintaining a cooperative nature, these training methods are unscripted, allowing the karateka to develop instinctual responses to their opponent's actions. This advanced level of training serves as a means to "test" one's abilities and skills.

“No matter how you may excel in the art of Te, and in your scholastic endeavors, nothing is more important than your behavior and your humanity as observed in daily life.”

- Tei Junsoku (1663-1734)