The small number of Goju-Ryu Katas, compared to those belonging to other styles, is due to their difficulty.
All the Katas, except for Gekisai Ichi and Gekisai Ni - created in 1942 by Miyagi Sensei and Nagamine Shoshin Sensei -, are of Chinese origin; both the Sanchin katas and Tensho have been developed to practise and improve the breathing techniques; they are been defined "Zen practice through movement". All the others are "open katas", that's to say the study of techniques aimed to the fighting.
| Kihon Kata (Basic Kata) |
Heishu Kata (Closed Hand Kata) |
Kaishu Kata (Open Hand Kata) |
| Sanchin Ichi Sanchin Ni |
Tensho | Gekisai Ichi Gekisai Ni Saifa Seiyunchin Shisochin Sanseru Sepai Kururunfa Sesan Suparinpei |
