Okinawa Series: Goju-Ryu Karate
Train inside a traditional Okinawan dojo and experience Goju-Ryu Karate at its source.
Description
This exclusive five-part documentary takes you inside the world of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate.
Filmed during my time training at Tetsuhiro Hokama’s dojo in Okinawa, this series offers a rare, first-hand look at how Karate is practiced at its origin—far beyond what is typically seen outside Japan.
From the structure of the classes, to the conditioning, applications, and hidden details within the system, this is not a performance or demonstration—it is real training, captured as it happens.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s truly like to train in Okinawa, this is your opportunity to step inside.
What You’ll Experience
- Authentic Goju-Ryu training inside a traditional Okinawan dojo
- The structure and intensity of real black-belt classes
- Practical applications and principles behind the movements
- Insights rarely explained outside of direct transmission
- A unique cultural and martial experience from the source
Episode Breakdown
Episode One — Inside an Okinawan Karate Class
Experience the reality of training in Okinawa, including the intense physical preparation required before class even begins.
Episode Two — Foundational Applications
Learn the core principles behind wrist grab defenses, including angles, leverage, footwork, relaxation, tendon engagement, and breath developed through Sanchin practice.
Episode Three — Hard & Soft in Action
Explore advanced applications that demonstrate the balance of hardness and softness within Goju-Ryu, revealing how structure and timing can disrupt the opponent effectively.
Episode Four — Flow & Adaptation
See how techniques evolve in real time through continuous movement, adapting to resistance with fluid transitions, striking, and control.
Episode Five — Hidden Details of the Karate Gi
Discover the overlooked design elements of the Okinawan Gi and how they relate to targeting, positioning, and traditional understanding within the art.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
Lifetime access for a one-time payment of $12.99.
How many videos are in the course?
Five exclusive episodes, filmed on location in Okinawa.
Can I watch the videos on all of my devices?
Yes. The course is fully accessible on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
How can I pay?
Secure checkout via PayPal and all major debit/credit cards.
Will I get instant access to the videos?
Yes. You’ll receive immediate access as soon as your payment is complete.
Episode One
In this episode, I present an insight into what to expect if you were to travel to Okinawa and attend a Karate class, including the 1.5 hours of physical exercises you are expected to train as a “warm-up” before the class officially starts, and the real teaching begins.
Episode Two
In this episode, I present a sequence of applications that form the building blocks to enable the Karate practitioner to defend against wrist grabs. Utilizing angles, leverage, footwork, relaxation, how to engage the tendons, and the importance of using the breath that is developed from the practice of the San-Chien form.
Episode Three
In this episode, I present two complex applications that clearly demonstrate the “hard/soft” principles of Goju Ryu. These methods focus on attacking the nervous system by crushing the ulnar nerve in the hand and fingers. Simultaneously, damaging the sciatic and tibial nerves in the legs and inflicting maximum damage to two pressure/acupuncture points on the top of the feet.
Episode Four
In this episode, I present a sequence of applications used to defend against wrist grabs. Utilizing angles, leverage, footwork, relaxation, striking, and the ability to flow and change depending on the opponent’s resistance.
Episode Five
The sophisticated design of the Okinawan Karate Gi contains many secrets hidden in clear sight. On the back of the Gi, a horizontal line conceals a vital point located on the midline of the back between the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebrae. If you know how and when to strike this point, you can effectively immobilize and restrain your opponent. Why are there slits on both sides of the Gi? Why do you tie a knot in your belt below the navel? All of those secrets and more are revealed in this video, the final episode in this series discussing my experience training at Tetsuhiro Hokama Sensei’s Goju Ryu Karate dojo in Okinawa.
Course Content
About Instructor
Course Includes
- 5 Lessons
Ratings and Reviews
Kate Crowther
Really appreciate the way the training is shown to begin with. The commentary explanations along side the video is helpful, as well as the 1st person experience of his being in the class. Very well, done!
Neil Herron
Great interviews, great footage
One person found this helpful.
Christian Haure
A nice presentation allowing you to broaden your own knowledge of this style of karate.
John Shelton
You could spend your life exploring martial arts theory and practice. These courses can help you gain a lot of knowledge now to give you a boost in your growth.
One person found this helpful.
Tony
I'm enjoying the videos so much as they contain a lot of useful information.
One person found this helpful.
Donald George
I liked the fact that the techniques utilized Kyusho jutsu which underlies all technique at the subtle level. Without a working knowledge of the 5 elements or at least the less obvious vulnerabilities of the human form it’s hard to get soft. I do wish the graphics pertaining to the Kyushu points were more visible but all in all it was enriching to watch the series.
Kevin Rockhill
I am not a practitioner of the Okinawan arts though found the course interesting, informative and giving material than could be added to ones personal practice regardless of tradition. Though a lot was shared disappointed than the part that really caught my attention was not shared whole as rightly so considered a closed door secret.
2 people found this helpful.
Adan Merdan
I learned many things in this course. Martial man is a good teacher and video is good. I recommend.
One person found this helpful.
Alexander Jones
I have discovered how to relax and use the tendons after listening to your explanations in this fabulous course. I wasn’t taught even a fraction of this during my 15+ years of training Goju Ryu back in the 80s. Now, I have to practice these techniques with my students and training partners. Thank you kindly.
4 people found this helpful.
Thank you so much for this series on Goju real karate. I really enjoyed it, and what I love most is how it breaks open the belief that karate is just about punching and kicking — there is so much more depth to it than most people realise. It also brought back a wonderful memory. When I was around thirteen or fourteen and training in a Korean martial art, I visited my mother at her workplace. Her