Goju-ryu
剛柔流
Goju-ryu (剛柔流, "hard-soft style") was founded by Chojun Miyagi, combining hard — go (剛) — striking with soft — ju (柔) — circular techniques. Its signature kata Sanchin (三戦, "three battles") develops internal strength through dynamic tension breathing.
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Goju-ryu develops both external power and internal resilience. Its Sanchin (三戦) breathing and kakie (掛き手, push hands) training builds core strength and stress resilience unique to this style.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Sanchin kata and dynamic tension breathing for internal strength
Circular blocking and close-range striking combinations
Body conditioning through partner drills (kakie)
The balance of hard (go) and soft (ju) techniques
Practical self-defense applications from Naha-te tradition
Your First Class
Wear a gi. Expect basic techniques, breathing exercises, and possibly Sanchin kata training. Body conditioning (arm pounding) may be introduced. Classes run 60 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Legends of Goju-ryu
Chōjun Miyagi (宮城長順)
Chōjun Miyagi founded Goju-ryu — "hard-soft style" — by blending the hard striking of Okinawan Naha-te with soft Chinese internal techniques he studied in Fujian. He was the first to formally name and register a karate style, and his system's balance of power and flow influenced countless karate lineages worldwide.
Chojun Miyagi
Morio Higaonna
Gogen Yamaguchi
Related Styles
Shorin-ryu
Shorin-ryu (少林流, "Shaolin style") is one of the original Okinawan karate styles, preserving techniques closer to the art's Chinese roots. It uses natural, upright stances — shizen-dachi (自然立ち) — and emphasizes speed and agility over raw power.
Karate
Karate is a Japanese striking art that uses punches, kicks, knee strikes, and open-hand techniques. Originating in Okinawa, it emphasizes kata (型, forms), kihon (基本, basics), and kumite (組手, sparring).
Shito-ryu
Shito-ryu (糸東流) was founded by Kenwa Mabuni and has the largest number of kata (型) of any karate style (over 60). It blends elements of Shuri-te (首里手) and Naha-te (那覇手), emphasizing both speed and power.
White Crane
White Crane — Bai He Quan (白鶴拳) — is a Southern Chinese martial art from Fujian province, inspired by the movements of the crane. It emphasizes evasive footwork, rapid hand strikes — he zui shou (鶴嘴手, crane-beak hand) — and the use of an opponent's force against them.
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