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.

  • Chojun Miyagi (1988 - 1953)

    Founder of Goju-ryu

  • Gogen Yamaguchi (1909 - 1989)

    Successor of Goju-ryu
    Founder of JKF

  • Shuji Tasaki (1933 - 2011)

    Founder of Seiwa Kai

  • Seiichi Fujiwara (1950 - )

    President of Seiwa Kai

Shoshin Instructors

  • 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.

  • 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.