Shoshin is a Zen Buddhist concept meaning “beginner’s mind.” It is the letting go of preconceptions and expectations and cultivating a mindset of openness, curiosity, and discovery.
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.”
— Shunryu Suzuki
Our organization
Shoshin teaches traditional Goju-ryu karate and is a member of the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) Goju Kai, under the Seiwa Kai organization.
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Chojun Miyagi (1988 - 1953)
Founder of Goju-ryu
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Gogen Yamaguchi (1909 - 1989)
Successor of Goju-ryu
Founder of JKF -
Shuji Tasaki (1933 - 2011)
Founder of Seiwa Kai
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Seiichi Fujiwara (1950 - )
President of Seiwa Kai
Shoshin Instructors
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Judie Le
Judie Le (Nidan, 2nd degree black belt - JKF & Seiwa Kai) has been a martial arts practitioner for over a decade. Having begun her karate training at Enso Shotokan Karate in Chicago, she discovered Goju-ryu under Shihan Jim Pounds shortly after relocating to Austin in 2014. Judie is also a certified yoga instructor and completed her 500-hr teacher training in 2019 under Lisa J. Johnson at Energies Balanced.
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Shihan Jim Pounds
Jim Pounds (Nanadan, 7th degree black belt - Seiwa Kai) began his martial arts training in 1973. He was awarded his Kyoshi license by Fujiwara Hanshi in 2021 and holds his Renshi license from JKF Goju Kai.