Goju-Ryu is a form of Japanese karate.
Goju-Ryu is a traditional Okinawan form of karate that employs "hard" and "soft" fighting techniques. Hard techniques are closed-fist linear attacks, and soft techniques are open-palm circular movements. These techniques are practiced in movements called kata. These kata must be practiced under the guidance of a Goju-Ryu practitioner.
Saifa
Saifa is the first of the Goju-Ryu combative techniques and means "to smash and tear to pieces." This technique is used as a grappling training kata that focuses on grappling and tearing.
Sanchin
Sanchin translates as "three battles or conflicts." This technique focuses on overcoming physical exhaustion with the power of the mind, and the point of the Sanchin kata is to develop perseverance and self-discipline.
Seiyunchin
Seiyunchin means "control, suppress and pull." This kata teaches students to grapple and throw an opponent off balance. It contains close-quarter fighting techniques such as sweeps, kicks and takedowns.
Shisochin
Shisochin means "four gates" or "four directions of conflict." The idea behind this kata is to develop 360 defense techniques in order to defend from all four directions: left, right, in front and behind.
Sanseru
Sanseru means "36 hands" and is a kata technique that focuses on hitting pressure points. The technique is reminiscent of kung fu styles such as the crane and the tiger.
Sepai
Sepai means "18 hands" and is seen simply as a variation of "36 hands." Sepai employs a different set of attacks and defenses, yet is executed in a similar fashion to "36 hands."
Kururunfa
Kururunfa means "holding ground." This technique focuses on grappling and throws rather than punches and blocks. The movements and transitions are quick and explosive.
Seisan
Seisan or "13 hands" is understood to be the oldest of all the Goju-Ryu kata. It is predominantly a defensive technique and is also practiced in Chinese boxing.
Suparinpei
Suparinpei means "108 hands" and is one of the most complex of all Goju-Ryu techniques. It contains the most movements of all the kata. The name is associated with the Buddhist philosophy regarding the 108 sins of man.
Tensho
Tensho or "turning palms" is the only completely unique Okinawan kata in Goju-Ryu. Unlike the other styles, Tensho teaches you to contract the muscles and keep the body rigid during the kata.
