Karate – Empty hand
Karate is a system that predominantly uses tai sabaki (body movement), uke waza (blocking techniques), atemi (strikes) and keri waza (kicking techniques) to defend against an aggressor.
The style we practice is Okinawan Goju-ryu, which is a unique combination of Chinese Kung-fu and ancient Okinawan Te. Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate has many added health benefits from its conditioning training and ancient breathing exercises. It is a style that utilizes sound biomechanical principles, employing strong and subtle, hard and soft movements. This makes it a very versatile system. The practice of Kata (a sequence of pre-arranged movements) polishes the mind and body, developing strong bodied, clear minded students.
History
The founder of Goju Ryu, Sensei Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) took the martial art he had learned from his Sensei, Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915) and adjusted it to better fit the Okinawan people.
Sensei Ron Yamanaka studied directly under Sensei Ei’ichi Miyazato (1922-1998), Chojun Miyagi’s top student. Sensei Yamanaka (Kyoshi, 8th degree black belt in Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate) proudly represents true Okinawan Goju-ryu in Canada being honoured with the title of Shibu-cho (head of family), by Shihan Ei’ichi Miyazato.
