Goju-Ryu is not only a battle of physical face-off, but a highly philosophical one. The style at its core invites the practitioners to live at peace with the outside world and internal battles. The principle of hard-soft is applied into daily life which can teach the students that strong must be balanced with malleability, and determination must be balanced with patience. This philosophy leads to the development of resilience in situations where one is subjected to adversity, ability to adjust to the dynamic situations, and the composure to be calm to react thoughtfully and not impulsively. To most practicing Goju-Ryu practitioners, Goju-Ryu does not begin as a martial art but transforms into a school of thought that dictates personal development, clarity of mind and leading a peaceful existence both within and without the dojo.
Shito-Ryu Karate: Diversity and Diversification.
History and Shinto Shikai of Shinto-Ryu.
Shito-Ryu is among the most unconventional and divergent styles of karate, and the history of it reveals the reason why it possesses such diversity both in philosophy and in practice. Shito-Ryu, which was established by Kenwa Mabuni in the early 20 th century, was constructed on a fusion of martial influences. Mabuni was a student of two great masters- Itosu Anko and Higaonna Kanryo, and he combined their teachings and produced one complete system. The combination of Shuri-te (speedy, linear attacks) and
Naha-te (emphasized upon circular, rooted strikes) led to the style that would include both strength and gracefulness. Shito-Ryu is hence a link between hard and soft martial traditions and
thus one of the most flexible karate systems across the whole world. It also has a long historical background that stressed the respect of different techniques,
maintaining centuries-old knowledge and developing it into an organized practice of the present time.
Richness of the Kata of Shito-Ryu.
The Shito-Ryu has one of the most distinguishing genes, its massive library of katas, which are patterns of movements
that are formally transferred through time by the generations of martial artists. Shito-Ryu is one of the few karate styles that do not limit the number of core karas and, therefore, provides
its students with an opportunity to be exposed to a large variety of techniques, stances, and applications. These katas are living documents as well as physical exercise because they constitute martial techniques, philosophies and cultural practices. In terms of students, the ability to practice such variety helps
them avoid the form of monotony and constantly challenges their ability to coordinate, time, and adapt. Even the simple number of katas gives unlimited possibilities to practice, which guarantees even experienced professionals to discover new layers in their training.
Adaptability of Multiple Body Shapes and Fighting Style.
The other characteristic of Shito-Ryu is that it can adjust to various practitioners. In contrast to the inflexible systems that prefer a particular body,
or a certain way of fighting, Shito-Ryu encourages variety of movement and usage. One big and strong student can choose to use long range hits and strong blocks whereas a smaller fast one can use speed, agility and redirection. The style provides the two and,
therefore, it is quite inclusive and convenient to every individual keen on training. Shito-Ryu also enables students to acquire a balanced skill set since it builds on both hard and direct attacks, as well as softer and more circular defenses. Such versatility does not only make training more engaging but also makes sure that practitioners will be able
to protect themselves properly in real-life situations due to adapting to various opponents and situations they have to respond to.