There are seasons in every human life.

The later seasons are often spoken about in terms of what is being lost; Strength, speed and youth.

Yet the contemplative traditions have long invited us to see something different.

Every season of life has its own gifts.

Its own wisdom and its own practice.

The question is not how to remain young.

The question is how to remain fully alive.

The classical martial arts have always understood that mastery is measured over a lifetime.

Not in years alone, but in the way a person continues meeting life.

Goju means “Having Strength, Choosing to be Gentle.”

Some people begin the martial arts in these years and every beginning is honoured.

There is no expectation that the body should move as it did at twenty. The practice changes because we change.

Yet something beautiful often happens, as movement becomes simpler, awareness grows richer. As speed gives way to presence, each step carries more meaning. As ambition softens, gratitude quietly takes its place.

Perhaps this is one of the great gifts of aging, not that we become less, but that we begin recognizing more clearly what has always mattered.

The martial arts become less about achievement and more about participation.

Participation in our own lives.

What you can expect in our Martial Arts classes for ages 55+

The core curriculum of our school is practiced in the 55+ class but modified appropriately, every student who begins as a white belt in our 55+ class has the potential to reach black belt.

In our 55+ class we focus on increasing, and in some cases restoring, strength, mobility, balance and flexibility.

Students learn the four primary components of out Goju Karate practice;

• Kihon (Fundamentals)

  Techniques and methods found in traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate, this includes stances and proper postures, strikes, kicks and blocks.

• Kata (The way of doing thing properly)

  Pre-arranged sequence of movements found in Kihon.

• Kumite (Clash hands)

  Kumite is taking what we learn in kihon and kata and applying it with a partner.

• Self Defence and violence prevention

  Situational awareness, de-escalation and scenario training is a part of our self defence curriculum, as it the theory of peace and violence and practical application of defensive and offensive technique.