The Essence of Goju Ryu - Vol 1 [Paperback]

A very impressive work and a valuable contribution to the deeper understanding of Goju-Ryu's most important elements, such as junbi undo, hojo undo and the Sanchin kata. Their significance is often overlooked and this book represents a unique contribution as it highlights the connections between all three elements and provides the reader with a deep and very well researched explanation of the concepts behind them. This kind of book was missing.

Personally, I have benefited from the explanation of the junbi undo exercises, the inhalation and exhalation techniques in the Sanchin kata and all information on the ki. Likewise, the analysis of Sanchin shime and how it relates to the central nervous system provided me with information that I was previously not aware of. For me, it is a reference point that I will often return to. Furthermore, the text is supplemented by very helpful and explanatory pictures.

I am convinced that for many advanced karateka this book will be a source of inspiration on their path and an encouragement in their study and research of the Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. I am looking forward to read further works by Sensei Barrett and Sensei Lever.

If you are a serious practioner of GoJu karate then this book is a must for beginners to sensei to add or start a serious book collection about traditional karate-do. The pictures are a very usefull training aide and the breakdown of body points are helpfull for correct terminology. If you follow the guide as explained in this book you will develop into a very good karate-ka.

The fluidity of the writing is the first observation I wish to make about this book. I don't know why I am surprised, but I think I expected it to be much more difficult to understand the contents of this book. Instead, the reading flows and the understanding of its text follows. This, I noted is obvious from the usage of signposts that links smoothly the paragraphs and offers an overall flowing reading.

I found that the explanations and examples given in support of the authors' arguments made in this book help the understanding of it. One example, is the term of chinkuchi. This term is explained very well in the book and has a short description in the glossary too. The glossary is a section which was very useful as I am not familiar with terms that are either new or above my understanding of Goju Ryu Karate.

Another thorough explanation given is that of the link between shime whilst performing Sanchin kata and the Central Nervous System (CNS). In my understanding, the authors explain that it is very easy to 'put the breaks on' when forcing the body to cope with extraneous movements during Sanchin practice. That is, they explain because the CNS intervenes through the inhibiting factors to prevent causing damage to the body by the practitioner during Sanchin.

Moreover, reading this section in the book I understood not only that by tensing whilst doing Sanchin I perform the kata incorrectly, but also that by 'putting the breaks on' because the CNS prevents me from doing damage to my body, I contribute to the stagnation of my progress in executing correctly the kata.

In a different section however, the authors answer why knowing the culture where a martial tradition was born is necessary. They argue that knowing about the Okinawan culture (in the case of Goju Ryu) and how superstitious Okinawan people are explains for instance,

'that the importance of the ancestorship should not be overlooked because they explain how come as part of their martial traditions of these island people notions such as Yoi kamae include much more than just a ready stance. They incorporate not just 'the entire wealth of experience of not only our own lifetimes, but also those of our ancestors, our teachers, and the past masters of our lineage.' (p. 83)

Furthermore, when explaining the importance of Kokyu no michi (p. 92), the authors have generously complemented the writing with very good quality photos and drawings to help the reader get the essence of the points they argue in this part. I found it immensely helpful whilst reading it and since included it into my training.

Besides, the wealth of photos throughout the book is immensely helpful and particularly important in this and other parts of the book in understanding the breathing paths, the strength paths and the various thoughts on the use of Sanchin.

For me, the book also accounts as an invaluable source and a good starting point for those interested in traditional Chinese medicine. The authors explain the link between the ancient theory behind the Chinese medicine and the reason why karate practitioners benefit from practising in bare feet. On page 86, it is explained that by massaging certain pressure points located in the feet through various turns and twists karate practitioners benefit much health wise.

In more general terms, I would divide the book in two main parts, GO and JU. The GO part would benefit more an intermediate or less experienced karateka whilst the JU would be easier to grasp by the advanced or more experienced karateka. In fact, the point at which I began to understand however that this book contains far more depth than I can grasp begins with the JU section of the book.

In my effort to provide a more balanced critical review I wish to add two minor points. First, regards the use of the word subconscious to describe the anticipation of fear in the student undergoing the shime - whilst reading it I thought that a further explanation on the processes underlying the build-up of the anticipation was needed? Hence, I found it confusing. Second, the book would benefit from having an index for when the reader wishes to make reference to a particular part or even term in the book.

No doubt, this book is a must for the likes of karateka who are precisely interested in the main topics included in this book, such as junbi undo, Sanchin kata and/or the miscellaneous thoughts on the use of Sanchin. This book is now part of my essential reading and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wishes to endeavour into researching beyond the obviousness of Goju Ryu karate to reach its essence.