Basic philosophy:
A new genre of karate that combines three elements: health, meditation, and martial arts training
Flexibility over strength
Timing is more important than speed
Not to overcome, but to not be defeated
The benefits of being slow:
1. Health and Fitness Benefits
The slow movements put less strain on joints and muscles and pose no risk of injury, making it safe for seniors and beginners to continue.- Strengthening your inner muscles:
By moving slowly, you can consciously train the deep muscles that are not normally used. - Improves flexibility and balance.
Because you move while being aware of your body’s axis, it is also effective in improving posture and preventing falls.
By combining breathing with movements that improve respiratory function , it promotes an increase in lung capacity and stabilization of the autonomic nervous system.
2. Mental and psychological benefits
- Concentration and mindfulness:
By focusing on each movement, it becomes a “moving meditation,” clearing distractions and calming the mind. - Stress relief
: The relaxed rhythm activates the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in a relaxing effect. - Improved self-esteem:
It is easy to accumulate small feelings of accomplishment and continue without strain, which leads to self-confidence.
3. Benefits as a martial art
- The accuracy of the form can be honed
without relying on speed, and you can carefully check the correct posture, center of gravity, and angle of the hands and feet. - Understanding the essence of techniques
You can learn the meaning of each movement in depth, which will help you apply and practice the techniques. - Harmony of mind, technique and body
Achieve a balanced mental training and physical improvement.
* Emphasis on Yin-Yang philosophy: mind and body as one, offense and defense as one, interior and exterior as one
1. People who are health-conscious and want to get more exercise
- People who want to exercise regularly but don’t like strenuous exercise
- People who are concerned about poor posture and physical strength due to desk work
- People interested in yoga and tai chi
2. Children, middle-aged and elderly people, seniors, foreigners, and people with disabilities (there should be a karate for each person)
- Children who are unable to fit in, are self-conscious, or restless
- People who want to continue exercising while minimizing the strain on their joints and heart and lungs
- Seniors who want to extend their healthy lifespan
- People who want to prevent falls and maintain balance
- People looking for exercise that combines rehabilitation and maintaining physical fitness
- People who are attracted to the beauty of form and graceful movements
- People looking for lessons for the purpose of dieting or mental care
3. Wellness-oriented people from overseas: “Slow Karate: Moving Meditation”
- Those interested in “Mindfulness” and “Wellness”
- Yoga and Pilates practitioners seeking a new martial arts experience
- People who are interested in martial arts culture and want to combine it with meditation and breathing techniques
Online instruction via Zoom:
Considering the impact of the recent extreme heat on physical health and the time and expense of traveling to the dojo, we have introduced online instruction.
Being able to practice from the comfort of your own home also reduces the risk of heatstroke and travel costs (CO2 emissions).
Online instruction allows you to record and play back movements for comparison, which is not possible in face-to-face instruction.
About the training content:
The forms of Goju-ryu Karate are performed slowly according to the principles of Hakutsuruken, the martial arts from which it originated.
The following are the principles of kenpo.
Eight Trigrams = Swallowing, Floating, Softness, Movement
Main power (power using will) = Sinking power, Silk power, Cross power
Date, time, fee, and exam:
Same as regular karate class
Q&A:
Can you really master karate with slow karate?
⇒ After a certain period of practice, you will notice that you can do it quickly. * “Speed comes from stillness.”
Can you advance in rank or rank with slow karate
? ⇒ Of course, it is possible to become a black belt if you master a specific kata and pass the written test.
The difference between slow and speedy karate is the training process.
Is online training okay?
⇒ The essence of karate lies in kata training. To be honest, when many people gather together in a dojo, blind spots inevitably arise.
However, online training using a large monitor makes it easy to check and correct even slight differences in foot direction.
It is easy to visualize, and you can check and correct your movements by comparing recordings.
How to practice kumite
: Strictly speaking, current kumite does not follow the theory of unified offense and defense. Here, you will master the basic movements using circular motion and the flow of both arms. Then,
by matching your timing to your opponent’s movements, you will find yourself becoming surprisingly strong (improving).
We will also teach you a unique training method that will improve your kumite skills in a game-like way.
International Karate School/Goshi-kai
4-17 Azumakami-cho Kashiwa Chiba Japan. 277-0011
mobil: +81-(0)80-4365-0861
fax: +81-(0)4-7166-4128
e.mail:ser.kashiwa@gmail.com