Karate Club brings art of Goju-Ryu to campus

With more than two years of practice under their multi-colored belts, the Karate Club brings the ancient Japanese art of Goju-Ryu to St. Edward’s University.

Goju-Ryu, which translates to mean “the way of hard and gentle,” is a lesser- practiced form of karate. This particular style of karate was created and practiced by warriors who believed in being both tough and compassionate.

By practicing Goju-Ryu, these warriors developed a hard body and spirit, making them fearsome fighters. At the same time, this art taught them compassionate and gentle ways of interacting with other members of their society.

“Karate club is about everything,” club member Ismael Moreno said. “It is about being responsible, respectful, patient, honest, and about being a good student.”

Sensei Jim Pounds, a fifth-degree black belt, wanted to bring the art of Goju-Ryu to St. Edward’s because he believes that the education a student gains through practicing Goju-Ryu couples beautifully with the education gained on campus.

“In Japan, the university karate clubs are the strongest clubs,” Pounds said. “That is why it is so important to have a strong university karate club here at St. Edward’s.”

Pounds said that the art of Goju-Ryu focuses on self-defense, but also concentrates on building personal and character development. He mentions that he hopes that what students learn through Goju-Ryu carries out into their everyday life.

“Karate added confidence and responsibility to my life,” Moreno said. “Through this style of karate I learn how to defend and control myself. Just the fact that I have to be very responsible, to attend to practices, to become better at it, to learn all the techniques and history, makes my life a different one.”  

Moreno also praises Goju-Ryu for giving him so much peace in his life and for helping him relieve stress.

Recent St. Edward’s graduate Alfred Molina still continues to practice with the team despite graduating. Molina was one of the original members of the karate club and has many reasons for still participating, mentioning that the feeling of camaraderie is one of the main reasons he still comes back to practice.

Pounds said that the club started with three guys two -and-a-half years ago and has continued to grow since then. He now has around 16 students. Pounds mentioned that his students are serious and intelligent, yet they are fun to work with. He is the happiest when he sees the positive changes in the students he works with.

“One of my students used to be really shy, but after being involved in the practice of Goju-Ryu, he is a completely different person,” Pounds said.

Moreno recommends that everyone should experience Goju-Ryu at least once.

“It is a really unusual experience that you won’t get anywhere but in a dojo,” he said. “The people in it are very nice and helpful. The stuff we do might seem very repetitive, but this is the only way you will learn it and apply it without thinking about it.”

The karate club meets every Tuesday and Thursday in the alumni gym from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration for the club closes Sept. 16. More information about Goju-Ryu is available at karateaustin.com.