About the Society
The
Society of Harmonious Fists (SOHF) offers the direction
and training necessary to advance one self physically,
mentally and spiritually in the art of GoJu Ryu Karate,
Aiki-Jitsu, and weapon training to enhance the practioner's
understanding of Martial Arts. Anyone with or without
a Martial Arts background, who wishes to receive the
training to advance their knowledge may contact The Headquarters
(The Karate Dojo).
What is Martial Arts?
Martial Arts is an action philosophy. It is a means
to develop new personal power, confidence and the ability
to put your beliefs into action. It is a self-improvement
program that has physical, mental, spiritual, and philosophical
dimensions; it will develop strength, cardiovascular
conditioning, and flexibility while training self-defense.
It will help to release stress, improve concentration,
increase self-esteem, and develop positive mental attitude,
In addition, It will help you lose weight and feel more
energetic. Martial Arts is a way of life. It is the art
of living in a way that will help you become a winner
in life.
What is Karate?
Karate, which literally means Empty Hand, is a system
of unarmed offensive and defensive blocks, deflections,
punches, strikes and kicks used systematically to defend
against one or several attackers. Through this training
one can develop strong physical condition and mental
concentration.
What is GoJu Ryu?
GoJu
Ryu Karate is an Ancient & Quot
style Martial Arts that traces it's origin back
to Okinawa /Japan. GoJu Ryu literally means HARD (Go)
SOFT (Ju). This style of martial arts introduces
many hand and foot techniques that are taught to
be used for a primary method of physical training
and personal development, rather than a means of
force. GoJu Ryu Karate incorporates close combat
fighting skills and Aiki Jitsu techniques. A full
implementation of weapons will be taught after
practitioners master the art of empty hand katas. All
children are taught the sport aspect of Karate.
GoJu Ryu Karate Training consists of three parts:
(Crawl,
Walk & Run) (Kihon, Kata & Kumite)
- Kihon (Basic Techniques) - Punches, strikes, blocks,
kicks, foot-sweeps and basic self-defense. Repetitive
Kihon training prepares students for Kata and Kumite.
- Kata (Prearranged movements against imaginary opponents)
- a set of prearranged movements that consists of basic
and advanced techniques, put together to simulate actual
fighting. Repetitive Kata training prepares students
for Kumite
- Kumite (Sparring) - Kumite is a method of training in
which the offensive and defensive techniques learned
in Kihon and Kata are given actual application against
an opponent. There are three main types of Kumite; Basic
pre-arranged, Semi pre-arranged and free fighting.
Remember, when you unify your dojo, you separate yourself
from the masses. You're not the issue, a duplicable system
is!
Mission Statement
An inductee of the United States Martial Arts Hall of
Fame, Grandmaster Balfour Wright is a 9th degree black
belt in the arts and sciences of GoJu Ryu Karate and
a twenty one year retired veteran of the United States
Army. He is a direct student of Grand Master Peter Urban,
Ph.D. One of the first pioneers of Karate in The United
States.
His 30+ years experience outside the Traditional Karate
literacy includes training in many disciplines of martial
arts. He is the founder and director of the Society of
Harmonious Fists, which includes several schools within
the United States, Germany and Korea.
Grandmaster Wright resides in Texas with his wife and
two children. He received his Bachelors of Science degree,
with a major in Business Administration from Wayland
Baptist University. He works full time to enhance the
progress of the martial arts.
Grandmaster
Wright is also the executive director of the non profit
organization, Karate
for Inner City Kids (K.I.C.K.),
which is committed to providing mentoring through Karate
and Scholastic tutoring to high risk kids within his
community?
Grandmaster Wright is a driving force within the martial
arts community who spends most of his time training and
promoting the true philosophy of KARATE, which is the
perfection of the character of its participants.
Mission Statement
To perfect the characters of men, women and children
in our community by providing quality Martial Arts training
and philosophy, emphasizing the core tenants of the Martial
Arts which are Mental, Physical and Spiritual enlightenment.
Mental:
Encourage scholastic competence.
Physical:
Condition
the mind and body through Karate.
Spiritual:
Acknowledge that all good things come from God.
We are what we represent
There are hundreds of families in our communities that
need the help and support that a mentor or Martial Artist
can offer. How then can we tailor our efforts to become
a role model and possibly even a mentor to them?
We must first distinguish ourselves as a role model.
Our Martial Arts instructors will use their skills to
help families motivate their children and serve as a
role model and mentor to them.
We
will identify ourselves as role models to all of the
students in our community. Being a role model requires
many things. A large part of the job is being known and
respected for who you are and how you got there. A role
model is a person who sets an example, a person other
people may emulate. Being a role model does not necessarily
require one-on-one, extended contact. Our Martial Arts
Instructors will provide mentorship to the masses.
