Okinawan karate, unlike most other karate styles, stresses a mix of "hard" and "soft" techniques.
Goju-Ryu-Do generally consists of five interrelated concepts:
Kata
A kata is a pattern of movements that contain a series of logical and practical attacking and blocking techniques. In each kata there are certain set or predetermined movements that the karate-student can practice alone, without a partner. These kata have been created by previous masters after many years of research, training, and actual combat experience.
Tuite
Tuite is the Okinawan art of joint-locking. It clearly shows its roots in the Chinese seizing art of Chin-Na and aikijujitsu. It consists of an entire system of locks, chokes and throws.
Bunkai
Bunkai refers to the breakdown of a kata, to analyze the moves hidden within. These can be strikes, locks, throws or pressure-point strikes. They can also represent certain principles such as footwork, weight shifts, etc. Often, each move of a kata has several moves. For example, a simple turn followed by a low block can be an arm-bar, a strike to the groin, a throw very similar to o-goshi, or a neck break.
Kyusho-jitsu
Kyusho-jitsu is the art of vital-point striking, or, as it is better known, pressure-point fighting. It shows the heavy Chinese influences on the system, as it is based on the Chinese acupuncture theory. One starts going into pressure-point fighting after s/he has obtained advanced striking and grappling skills. Kyusho-jitsu is taught to only advanced students who demonstrate the appropriate levels of skill, responsibility, and character.
Kiko
The first stage of Kiko in Okinawan Karate consists of building up energy in the tanden. The tanden is a point a couple of inches below the naval that stores the vital energy of the body. Acupuncturist call this point Kikai, which means sea of ki, because of this. These exercises consist primarily of specialized forms of abdominal breathing.
Goju-Ryu-Do generally consists of five interrelated concepts:
Kata
A kata is a pattern of movements that contain a series of logical and practical attacking and blocking techniques. In each kata there are certain set or predetermined movements that the karate-student can practice alone, without a partner. These kata have been created by previous masters after many years of research, training, and actual combat experience.
Tuite
Tuite is the Okinawan art of joint-locking. It clearly shows its roots in the Chinese seizing art of Chin-Na and aikijujitsu. It consists of an entire system of locks, chokes and throws.
Bunkai
Bunkai refers to the breakdown of a kata, to analyze the moves hidden within. These can be strikes, locks, throws or pressure-point strikes. They can also represent certain principles such as footwork, weight shifts, etc. Often, each move of a kata has several moves. For example, a simple turn followed by a low block can be an arm-bar, a strike to the groin, a throw very similar to o-goshi, or a neck break.
Kyusho-jitsu
Kyusho-jitsu is the art of vital-point striking, or, as it is better known, pressure-point fighting. It shows the heavy Chinese influences on the system, as it is based on the Chinese acupuncture theory. One starts going into pressure-point fighting after s/he has obtained advanced striking and grappling skills. Kyusho-jitsu is taught to only advanced students who demonstrate the appropriate levels of skill, responsibility, and character.
Kiko
The first stage of Kiko in Okinawan Karate consists of building up energy in the tanden. The tanden is a point a couple of inches below the naval that stores the vital energy of the body. Acupuncturist call this point Kikai, which means sea of ki, because of this. These exercises consist primarily of specialized forms of abdominal breathing.