Syllabus

Warm up exercises

Karate warm up exercises are an integral part of the Goju-Ryu Syllabus. Our typical class will do 15 – 20 minutes of warm ups before proceeding to the more strenuous exercises in the syllabus. Formally, these exercises also known as Calisthenics were designed to prevent muscle injuries by loosening and strengthening the muscles. The goju-ryu warm up exercises are split in two namely dynamic warm ups and static warm ups.The dynamic element of the warm ups is done first to increases the blood flow, elasticity of the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Kata (Patterns)

Kata – is a Japanese word that describes detailed choreographed patterns or movements often practised in solo.

Up until the 1930’s, Karate katas were the only way karate was taught. Kata was one person’s way of memorizing certain fighting sequences without the use of a partner, and to remember techniques that had a high rate of success when used in combat. Putting these movements into an organized drill that could be practiced regularly meant that they could not only be remembered more easily, but could also be taught to others.

Kihon (Basics)

Kihon is a Japanese term meaning “basics” or “fundamentals.” The term is used to refer to the basic techniques that are taught and practiced in Karate.

Kihon covers the training of all the various stances, kicks, blocks, strikes, punches and body movements that are used in kata and kumite. Techniques can be practiced individually or in combinations to improve agility and fluidity of movement.

Kumite (Sparring)

Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of the karate syllabus training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary using the techniques learnt from the kihon and kata elements of the syllabus.

There are two types of kumite, Pre-arranged kumite called ‘yakusoku kumite’ and free-form kumite called ‘jiyu kumite’.

Self Defence

Karate, a self defence art in its own right, is promoted as only just that in real life combat (apart from its other benefits) and not the reverse. Here at the IKO Group Australia, we have extended our syllabus to include self defence from armed assailants also. In addition, our syllabus teaches our students how to react to unarmed assailants applying street style tactics.

I.K.O Goju Ryu Karate-Do