Shorei Goju Karate Academy

10/04/2026

This past week, students in the Youth class were instructed in how proper knee height sets up a well-placed kick in Mae Geri, Yoko Geri, Ushiro Geri, and Mawashi Geri.

Doing these kicks very slowly while leaning on a wall can build strength in the muscles necessary for these techniques.

In karate, progress is a journey of learning control, respect, and focus in every movement.

Mae Geri, the front kick, is where that journey begins. It builds balance and timing, teaching students how to generate power straight forward with a calm and controlled motion.

Yoko Geri, the side kick, helps develop strength and stability from a different angle. It shows how the whole body can work together to deliver a powerful, precise technique while maintaining perfect balance.

Ushiro Geri, the back kick, represents awareness and confidence. It trains the karateka to be mindful of all directions, using careful turning and coordination to apply technique safely and effectively.

Together, these three kicks teach more than just physical skill. They build discipline, self-confidence, and respect for the art, guiding every student step by step on the path of improvement.

10/04/2026

Karate was never meant to be learned online or in a social vacuum.

This is how a post-class dojo should look when possible.
Students connecting personally with the Sensei, asking questions and getting more direct insights.

If you are curious about what a journey in karate looks like, please come to our Rio Rancho dojo for the 100 Kata Challenge on Saturday, Oct 24th, in honor of World Karate Day 2026.

Come experience the atmosphere and hospitality of a real traditional Okinawan karate-based dojo. See karate in action, meet instructors, and ask any questions you have. Come as you are, and stay as long as you like.

Karate is not only about self defense. It's a community.

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Talk with your Sensei. There will come a day when you no longer can ask them anything. Take notes. Ask to take photos or even videos. Do an interview. Then share what you have learned with others. Our teachers are more than technique dispensers. A true sensei should embody the martial virtues and help us cultivate effort, self-reflection, community, and integrity. Their stories deserve to be preserved and shared.

In this photo several of Iha Sensei’s students gather around him after a Saturday morning class. Typically he would sit on the bench, watch students do kata or partner work, and talk about life. He was quite humble and never once made a big deal about him actually being “big in Japan”. And funny. He knew how to use his words in a piercingly insightful manner, and never made us feel like he had somewhere else to go or someone else to see. He genuinely cared for each student and wanted us to succeed. His early life was indescribably difficult owing to the privations of war of life and means, and those lessons never were too far off, though rarely directly discussed. So when he said success comes through a “long endurance in one direction” it was more than a cliche. And we loved him.

10/03/2026

Here is the link to register for the AZ tournament in advance, thank you and appreciate it.

https://www.arizonastatechampionships.com/register

10/01/2026

Let’s support kata challenge and open to all who want to participate. There will be food and beverages available. Parents, students, and other dojos who wish to join us are welcome to join in. Certificates will be issued to all participants. Come out and have a fun day together

10/01/2026

SAVE THE DATE-- Saturday, Oct 24th 9am-5pm.

Shorei Goju Karate Academy is hosting a **100 Kata Challenge** for World Karate Day. Karateka of ALL LEVELS will participate in this gathering of food, music, fun.... and KATA.

If you are a local dojo in the area, please join us so we can share our art with each other.

Participation certificates will be available for all who attend.

Exclusive T-shirts are available for order at https://budovibe.store/shop/

How close can *YOU* get to 100 Kata?? 🥋

09/28/2026

For those of you interested in tournament in CA. Save the date and register in advance.

09/28/2026

Save the date! The 2027 USAMA Grand Nationals will be March 5-7, 2027 at Isleta Pueblo just south of Albuquerque. We will have an amazing seminar on Friday by Sensei Ron Thomas who played Bobby in The Karate Kid movie and the Cobra Kai Series! You don’t want to miss this seminar!

09/28/2026

Hey everyone let’s not forget the AZ tournament in November. Save the date and register in advance.

09/24/2026

If you don't use it, you lose it.

Karate has so many ways... find the way that is right for you in whatever life stage you are in.

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02/28/2026

One of the founders of our Shorei Goju lineage.

Chōjun Miyagi (1888–1953) was a master Okinawan martial artist and the legendary founder of Gōjū-ryū Karate. He is revered for bridging traditional Okinawan fighting arts with Chinese influences.
Key Highlights of His Life and Legacy
Foundation of Gōjū-ryū: In 1930, Miyagi officially named his style Gōjū-ryū, meaning "hard-soft style". The name was inspired by the Bubishi, a classical Chinese martial arts text, specifically the precept: "The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness".
Training & Influence: He was the top student of Kanryo Higaonna, the master of Naha-te. Miyagi also made several research trips to Fujian Province, China, to study White Crane boxing and other internal arts, which heavily influenced his development of the Tensho kata.
Systematizing Karate: Miyagi was a pioneer in organizing karate for the public. He developed a structured curriculum, including preparatory exercises (Junbi-undo) and the introductory Gekisai katas, to make the art accessible for school physical education and police training.