Lyon-Karate.com - Sensei Graham Ravey, 6th Dan, Chief Instructor Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Do Association (T.O.G.K.A.), Australia

Sensei Graham Ravey, 6th Dan, Chief Instructor Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Do Association (T.O.G.K.A.), Australia

Sensei Graham Ravey, 6th Dan, is the highest graded Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Do instructor in Australia. Originally from England, he followed his instructor to Japan to train with Sensei Morio Higaonna 9th Dan for a six month stay which turned into a twelve year learning experience at the infamous Yoyogi Dojo - an opportunity of which most people can only dream about.

In these early days when Sensei Morio Higaonna wasn't quite as famous and class numbers were smaller, Graham Ravey was able to receive personal instruction from Sensei Higaonna in all aspects of Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate, and he stands out as the only European Karateka to undergo all his black belt gradings under Higaonna in Japan. Hard training with expert instruction has made Sensei Ravey one of the most knowledgeable Karate instructors in the world.

During a training gashuku (training camp) to Sensei Terry Lyon's Hombu dojo in Western Australia, Sensei Ravey demonstrated various Hojo Undo (practice with equipment) and supplementary training methods. The picture shows a forearm toughening exercise using a weighted barbell which is thrown into the air and then allowed to hit the forearms and roll along them.

Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu places great emphasis on Hojo Undo or supplementary training for strengthening and hardening the body. The more common pieces of equipment are the Chishi, the Kongo Ken and Nigiri Game.