KATA VIDEOS

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Gekisai dai ichi

Performed by: Sensei Morio Higaonna ​Created by Chojun Miyagi Sensei in 1940 for introduction into the school system and to help make the average person stronger. Literally translated as 'to destory' it is a power Kata designed to help you combine and create power and speed for your punches, kicks, blocks and moving. 

Gekisai dai ni

Performed by: Sensei Morio Higaonna Created at the same time of Gekisai dai Ichi it also translates as 'to destroy' part 2. This Kata introduces and develops Tora guchi (tiger mouth block) and Neko ashi dachi (Cat stance) which is a common feature of higher level Kata. It also introduces open hand techniques. This Kata has since been refined to feature the Kiai point on the reverse punches. 

Saifa

Saifa Kata translates to 'smash and break' or 'pound and pulverise'. Its characteristics of heavy back first and circular swinging movements give meaning to its name. It is a short Kata, but one with numerous sequences that require precise timing to execute correctly. 

Seiyunchin

Seiyunchin means to 'grasp and unbalance'. along with its signature low Shiko dachi stances, Seiyunchin Kata features a lot of Hazushi Waza (escaping techniques) with most attacks being from wrist grabs or behind. 

Shisochin

Shisochin means to 'attack in four directions' or 'four directional fight'. There is no Shiko Dachi in this Kata as in the previous one, but it requires a lot of co-ordination between the hips, arms and legs to perform it correctly. In his later years, this was Chojun Sensei's favorite Kata. 

Sanseru

Sanseru means '36 hands or movements' it requires lots of explosive and speedy movements and introduces Kansetsu Geri (joint kick) to the Goju-ryu Kata system. It features defences against multiple attacks. 

Seipai

Seipai translates as '18 hands or movements'. Like Seiyinchin a majority of the movements and defences are from grabs and holds, requiring fast escaping techniques. A lot of balance and co-ordination between the hips and body is required to perform this Kata correctly. 

Kururunfa

Kururunfa means to hold on long and then strike suddenly. It uses a lot of hip and hand co-ordination and neko ashi dachi movements.

Seisan

This Kata means 13 hands or movements. It combined many advanced techniques that work by moving in on the opponent at close range.

Suparimpei

This Kata translates as 108 hands or movements. This is the most advanced Kata of the Goju-ryu system and has many hidden details.

Sanchin

Kata by: Sensei Ernie Molyneux Shime by: Sensei Morio Higaonna ​Sanchin is the breathing and bedrock Kata of the Goju-ryu system. Using the Tanden Kokyu breathing method co-ordinated with movements of the hands. Shime 'slapping test' is for black belts and only after years of practice and building up. 

Tensho

Performed by: Sensei Morio Higaonna Tensho means 'Rotating palms'. Chojun Miyagi Sensei saw a Kata called Rokkishu on one of his trips to China and added this to our system under the name of Tensho. It once again requires co-ordination between the movements and breathing.