What are the defining characteristics of Goju ryu karate?
The true defining characteristic of Goju Ryu is in it’s supplementary training, pretty much body conditioning. While Focusing in hard and soft, the inhale and exhale, you direct the force of the energy throughout every movement. Kata plays a large role in Goju Ryu. Miyagi Chojun, Goju Ryu’s founder, even had this to say: “Supplementary exercises, hojo undo, are practiced with the aim of perfecting the kata. The purpose of these exercises is not only to develop strength and power in the body as a whole, but to develop each part of the body individually in order to develop complete body power.” Sparring is a component of Goju Ryu training. Renzoku Kumite, Kiso Kumite, Sanbon Kumite, etc.. There’s a lot of two person drills and even two person hojo undo routines. Who ever told you there are no high kicks in Goju Ryu has never taken Goju Ryu. As it is more practical to not kick higher than the waist line, Goju Ryu does have high kicks but don’t expect any roundhouse kicks towards the head.
