Goshin Karate

The word Goshin actually means self defense. Karate classes are offered to all ages, but students under 18 years of age must have written consent of a parent or guardian to participate in classes.

One of the main areas of difference between Goshin Karate and many Tae Kwon Do and other karate curriculums is that Goshin Karate incorporates elements of judo and grappling mat work into the program. In reality, most fights end up on the ground. Although you should avoid a fight if possible, you should be prepared if an assailant or bully gets you on the ground. We emphasize practical self defense as opposed to sport karate.

Classes are offered Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. with instructor Rick Weston.
Uniforms are $30 to $60 depending upon style. Yearly registration is $10.

Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate) is offered on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m.

A brief history of the Martial Arts

As with most styles of Karate, Goshin Jutsu came from Okinawa, Japan, but evolved from the ancient Chinese Martial Art of Kung Fu. Centuries ago, Bodhi-Dharma, a Tibetan monk, traveled from India to China to spread the Teachings of the Buddha, From the Shaolin Temple, he began to teach a series of exercises to the Buddhist monks.

Many of the monks were overweight, weak or out of shape, because all that they did was to sit and meditate. Often, as the monks would journey to the villages to beg for gifts of food, bandits, who would take their food and money, would overpower them. Bodhi-Dharma developed exercises that strengthened their minds and bodies. From a sitting in a meditative position, they learned a series of hand movements. He developed more exercises for the legs and torso. He then developed exercises to co-ordinate the mind, hands, feet and torso. He called these Taiso's or exercises Tai Chi. The monks studied the movements of the creatures of nature and imitated their defensive movements. They mimicked the movements of the Crane, the Tiger, the Mantis and the Monkey. They also applied these movements to common tools such as the wooden staff, which used for walking and to carry buckets of water.

From China, Kung Fu was taken to Okinawa, an island near Japan and evolved into what was known as Shorin-ji Kempo and Shorin Ryu, Oichen Funakoshi introduced to Japan in the early 1900's. The term Karate-do is translated to mean "The way of the Empty Hand" (Kara meaning empty, te meaning hand, do meaning the way or path). Goshin Jutsu (The Art where you learn to defend the body) was founded by Grand Master Willem Reeder whose adopted name was Liu Seng Jr. He was taught Tibetan Tai Chi, Gung Fu and Kun Tao (The Deadly Art of Combat) by Liu Seng Sr. to whom the knowledge has passed down to six generations.

Originally Goshin Jutsu was taught only to Japanese students until Grand Master Reeder gave permission to his student. Master Gerald Durant, to teach the art to Americans, Master Durant eventually assumed the role of Grand Master. Grand Master Durant was the founder of the Goshin Jutsu Kyo Jujo Karate Association. Grand Master Durant died on July 18,1991.

Golden Dragon Martial Arts
431 W. Third Street St., Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone/FAX (570) 322-5155