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Masters and students of Goju come together for the UK’s first United Goju Seminar
by Terry Brown

On 23^rd and 24^th October 2004 the first United Goju Seminar took place in Chatham, Kent. The event was designed to cut through politics and bring various Goju schools together to explore their subtle, and not so subtle differences.

The beauty of Goju is the vastness of the system. Although there are variations in the way different Ryu train, we are all spokes of the same wheel. Rather than competing against one another, the associations were there to share and learn with an open mind, and leave with a broader perspective of Goju as a whole. The UGS did not favour any one group. All students and instructors attended as equals.

The first UGS was hosted by Goju Ryu Karate-do International (GKI) to get the event off the ground, and future seminars will be funded from profits of previous events.

The first day of the UGS 2004 and nobody really knew what to expect, or how good the turnout would be. People began rolling in and eventually there was a good turnout. Instructors on the day were Gavin Mulholland Shihan, 5^th Dan Daigaku Karate Kai; Linda Marchant Sensei, 5^th Dan OTGKA; Kurt Buxey Sensei, 5^th Dan Solent Goju Ryu; and guest instructor Steve Rowe Sensei, 7^th Dan Wado Ryu and International Tai Chi Instructor, Shikon.

The day’s proceedings started at 9.30am. The course was split into three groups: Black Belts, Brown Belts and Kyu grades. Each instructor took one group at a time. Steve Rowe and his assistant instructors took the entire group for the pre-lunch session. Each group had 90 minutes with each instructor, which included a warm up.

Kurt Buxey took his groups through a wide variety of locks and takedowns, showing the principal of controlling the opponent’s limb, bit by bit, and destroying the mobility of the largest muscle first. Kurt Sensei was an excellent instructor, mingling among students and showing clearly how to apply each technique correctly.

Linda Marchant covered Goju's relation to the animal forms of the Tiger and Crane through a variety of kihon drills, and then proceeded to apply them to one-step and three-step kumite. We also used the techniques against 4 opponents, attacking from different angles. A very enjoyable and exhausting session! Linda Sensei is extremely fit, with superb techniques and kata.

Gavin Mulholland covered Sanchin kata, the cornerstone of Goju, and also moved onto grappling and groundwork as an extra bonus! He explained the concepts of “Float, Sink, Spit and Swallow” which are inherent in Sanchin, and brought a new meaning to the kata for those who had learnt it in a different fashion. I’m sure many students took a lot away from that session. The groundwork was also unfamiliar to many, because although it is an integral part of the Goju syllabus, it is rarely practiced. It was a very enjoyable session, which Gavin Sensei and his guys made most interesting.

Steve Rowe Sensei gave instruction in karate pushing-hands, based on the 4 traditional karate blocks (Uke’s). Steve Sensei showed how Uke can be used to ‘receive’ rather than block (Uke literally translates “to receive”). Steve Sensei has, for many, revelations regarding karate training. His insight into the softness to be found in karate helped to illuminate the “Ju” in GoJu.

Lunchtime saw demonstrations by the instructors. Steve Rowe demonstrated part of the Yang style Tai Chi form and the Tai Chi Two-man form, which is reminiscent of Goju's in-your-face fighting style. Linda Marchant demonstrated the advanced katas Kururunfa, Seisan and Superempi. Gavin Mulholland demonstrated Tensho, followed by Sanchin Shime (testing) on Goran Powell (3^rd Dan Daigaku karate Kai) and Seiunchin kata and bunkai assisted by Goran Powell, Paul Norris and Toby Taplin - a spectacular display. Peter Thompson, 4^th Dan GKI, demonstrated a very precise Sai kata.

All in all, an exhausting, enjoyable day, and a genuine success by any standards.

Instructors for Sunday were Chris Rowen Shihan, 6^th Dan Bunbukan; Len Sim Sensei, 6^th Dan GKI and Mike Clark Sensei, 5^th Dan Sodokan. Sensei Kevin Buxey was also due to teach, but unfortunately was unable to attend due to last minute personal commitments.

Numbers were slightly down compared to Saturday and as we were one instructor short, the course was split into just two groups: brown and black belts in one, and kyu grades in the other. Breaks between lessons were reduced, and the sessions were slightly longer, so we could finish the day earlier and spend at least a little time with families!

Len Sim Sensei took the group through Sandan Gi (three-step sparring) starting with basic blocking and striking and moving onto more advanced locking and throwing techniques. Sensei showed that this often-neglected basic exercise can be as simple or as complex as you wish to make it. Len was his usual charismatic, laid back self, a pleasure to train with, as always.

Chris Rowen Sensei took the group through the kata Tensho and explored the pushing, pulling, trapping and escaping elements of the kata. We then went on to explore further open handed techniques, finding out first-hand just how effective these can be! There were a great many questions for Sensei and he took a time and trouble to answer each fully. With his laid back approach and good sense of humour, Chris Sensei gave an enjoyable and insightful session.

Mike Clark Sensei and his assistant instructor Kevin Williams covered bridging and yielding techniques. This was a means to control the opponent using leg and arm trapping methods before striking. He also looked briefly at a “soft/internal” punching technique. Again, there were many questions for Sensei which were answered with honest, indepth responses and demonstrations.

Lunch saw further demonstrations from the instructors. Len Sim Sensei performed Seipai, Chris Rowen Sensei performed Seisan and Mike Clark Sensei performed Sanchin and Kamae yielding methods. Other displays included Mike Hollingbery 3^rd Dan JKF Goju-ryu Seiwa kai performing Seiunchin, Terry Brown (event organiser) 2^nd Dan GKI performing Shisochin and Dave Warburton (event organiser) 6^th Kyu GKI performing Gekisai Dai Ichi.

After a long and enjoyable weekend of karate, the United Goju Seminar succeeded in its aim, to bring together a variety of Goju clubs, associations, students, instructors and masters from around the UK, to share knowledge and train together in a spirit of mutual respect and friendship. Old acquaintances were renewed and new friendships were made. Everyone seemed keen to explore and question what was being shown in an enjoyable and inspiring weekend.

The UGS organisers would like to thank everyone who attended and all those who helped in arranging the event. And a very big thank you to all the instructors who gave up their time, free of charge, for this worthwhile event.

UGS 2004 was a resounding success, and future UGS events are already being planned. UGS 2005 will be an open event, so martial artists from all disciplines will be welcome to attend. There will be some returning instructors and some alternative instructors, and it promises to be an even bigger success. 2005 will also see the introduction of the 'Mini UGS'. A series of 1 day events held by a small collection of Goju (or complimenting art) instructors from one area of the UK. The first Mini UGS is due to take place in Southampton. The provisional date for the Southampton UGS is Sunday April 3^rd, the current instructor line up is Mike Clark, Simon Lailey, K.Buxey and Tim Nicklin, although this information is subject to change. Please visit the United Goju Forums for upto date information.

For more information on the 2004 UGS event visit www.ugs2004.com and www.ugs2005.com will be available shortly for this years events. Discussion and organisation of the UGS takes place at www.gojuforums.com or contact Terry Brown, email: terry@ugs2004.com or telephone: 07947 653860.

A DVD of the 2004 UGS event is now available from the UGS website. Please visit www.ugs2004.com for more details.