Our
Mission Statement
Our mission is to work with the parents
of our young students and help our adult students to be more
successful in all aspects of their life through their practice of Uechi-ryu Karate Do. We do this by
teaching our martial arts as a complete discipline ( mind, body, and spirit) which in
addition to developing physical self-defense, encourages the formation of high
personal standards and respect for fellow men, women and children. Through our practice
and teaching and our student service culture we strive daily to produce
individuals who are positive, respected and contributing members of society.
How Do I Choose a Karate School
The best way to choose a school is to try at least
a month of lessons at a school that has a reputation for character building and
personal life skills, with a great retention rate of their current students,
not by shopping around to see who is the cheapest and the closest.
Make sure that the school you are visiting does not charge testing fees for each
colored belt. Testing and promotions at BUKA, a new belt and suitable for
framing certificate are included in your tuition.
Like the study of any other art it will require more than one or two trial
classes to be really familiar with the lessons and the instructors methods of
teaching. You will see that the BUKA instructors are enthusiastic and
motivated and that the students needs are met at all times. During your month of
lessons, ask how many of the current students have at least one or more years in
training at the school. Here at the B.U.K.A. we are very proud of our retention
rates. We have 24 students that will celebrate their first anniversary in 2009
22 students with more than 1 year of training, 9 students have more than 2
years, 11 students have more than 3 years, 4 students with more than 4 years, 1
student with more than 5 years, 2 students with more than 6 years and 1 student
with more than 7 years of training at the B.U.K.A. These students continue to
train with us because they understand that they have received excellent training
at our academy. Come in and try a month of lessons and ask them! They will be
happy to discuss their training with you.
Will my Child learn Respect and
Values?
Our innovative children's Life Skill's
Program has two segments. The first is the S.T.A.R. in the Martial Arts character
development program. S.T.A.R. provides a framework to teach and reinforce the
values of respect and responsibility. Read More about S.T.A.R.
and the Martial Arts Industry Association's Lesson of the Month which includes
the eight virtues of Black Belt, (Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Gratitude,
Compassion, Self-Control, Perseverance, and Indomitable Spirit) plus many more
character traits.
The second is Personal Safety Training
that teaches
Safety Awareness,
Anger Management and Verbal Self-Defense Skills using the 5 rules of Personal
Safety.
What is Uechi-Ryu
Karate Do
Karate is the oriental art of self-defense. The practitioners
of karate use no artificial weapons to perform their unusual techniques.
Instead, they develop the natural silent weapons of their bodies - feet,
hands, elbows, etc. which respond with lightening-like speed when required.
While karate is the ultimate in weaponless self-defense, its main purpose
today involves the all-encompassing physical, mental and moral growth which
one experiences as a devoted student.
Uechi-Ryu Karate Do (pronounced way-chee-roo karate doe),
classical Chinese Okinawan self-defense, is currently one of the main systems
of karate in Okinawa. Uechi-Ryu Karate is named in honor of the founder,
Kanbun Uechi, who first introduced this style of Karate to Japan. Literally
translated, the style name "Uechi-Ryu Karate Do" means "Uechi-style empty
hand way".
This unique and effective karate style spread to North America
via George E. Mattson who studied the art in Okinawa and brought it back
to Boston in 1958. Since that time, it has continued to flourish around the
world and is the fastest growing system in Okinawa today.
What can Uechi-Ryu Karate Do give
me and/or my child?
Learning a traditional martial art
can have so many lasting results. Many adult Academy students as well as parents
of our young members have noted an improvement in the following areas:
Higher self-esteem and overall self-confidence.
Less stress and better sleep habits.
Better concentration and focus resulting in higher marks at school. (See
Academic Achiever Program highlights below)
Self control and self discipline as well as being able to work more
cooperatively with others.
Improved fitness and an enthusiasm to be more
active in other physical activities as well.
Better attitude and more respect for others, at home, at play, and at school.
What can the B.U.K.A. offer my family and me?
Uechi-ryu Karate Do for Children and Adults, Adult Mixed Martial Arts, Adult Brazilian Jujitsu, Kid-Jujitsu, Chanbara (Padded Weapons Program) for Children and Adults, Weapons Training, Leadership Training and Black Belt Club for Juniors. Also our highly qualified instructors and customized karate facility offer you an impressive list of benefits including.
What
age must my child be to start a Karate program?
We start our younger students at 3 years
old. The BUKA offers a Tots Karate Class for children ages 3-5. These classes
are held on Monday and Wednesday at 4:45 PM also Tuesday and Thursday at 5:45 P.M.
for 30 minutes each. To be eligible to attend our full sessions (one hour), we
recommend that a child be attending the first grade.
Is
Uechi-ryu Karate Do difficult to learn?
As in any worthwhile pursuit, hard work is necessary for total
accomplishment. It would be false to describe Uechi-ryu Karate Do as "easy", but
there is nothing in Uechi-ryu Karate Do that cannot be attained through effort, desire and
practice.
Can
Karate help me or my child in other sports and activities?
Karate students and parents of karate students
have told me of the increased concentration and dedication that they and
their children have while playing organized sports. The discipline that is
needed to achieve the promotions of rank in Karate does carry over to the
organized sports and other activities as well. We have taught many students who have gone on to excel in
High School and College sports. The stretching and exercises of karate help
the student's muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints to become more
flexible during the rigorous training and therefore carry over to the other
sports as well. This flexibility may prevent some of the nagging injuries
that athletes may attain. Also we have adult students who did not have a
hard time adjusting to military training due to their karate training with
us.
How many classes can I or my child
attend a week.
At the BUKA we offer our beginner students 1 or 2
days per week of classes. We recommend that students attend two classes a week.
Intermediate and Advanced students have the option to attend classes which are
below their current level as well as their required class. Class sizes are small
enough to allow for some students to attend as many as 4 classes a week. There
is also a choice for students to attend afternoon, evening or Saturday classes.
By combining programs, a student can attend classes every day of the week if
desired.
Can my child make up classes missed
Make up classes are available by age and rank for all
ages and ranks. Students may make up missed lessons at any other
class that is at the students current age group and level.
Do
you have private lessons
If you wish to have private lessons by
the Sensei, please stop in at the
Office or call us to discuss the prices and options of class times and
instructor availability.
How
Does one Progress in Uechi-ryu
In our style of Karate - For Adults , there are ten "Kyu"
or novice ranks which one must earn before becoming eligible to test for Black
Belt. There are five white belt ranks, two green belt ranks and three brown belt
ranks. There are also ten levels ("Dan") of Black Belt, but few are able to
attain all ten before going to the great Dojo in the sky. The Children's ten kyu
ranks
are divided even more. Children progress much more slowly than adults and also
need to know that they are progressing at many more stages. Children start at
white, then progress to yellow, purple, red, green, brown and then black. There
are also "3 tips" or stripes within each color belt.
Are there any test fees
for promotions?
There
are no charges
or extra fees for tests for promotions for all ranks below black belt. Everything
is included in your tuition. This includes adults, teens, and children in all Karate
Programs. In addition the student receives each colored belt and a suitable for
framing certificate at no additional cost.
How does a student get a Black Belt in Uechi-ryu
After having satisfied all the requirements of
the ten Kyu ranks and received his or her recommendation from the instructor, a
student may be tested by the association test board which meets twice a year.
The board consists of a number of high ranking Black Belt instructors who
evaluate candidates’ performance during the testing procedure. Upon receiving
his or her Black Belt, the student is registered and
receives a certificate by the Uechi-ryu Karate Association in Okinawa as a
certified Black Belt holder. There is a fee for this test.
How long
will it take me to get my Black Belt in Uechi-ryu
The average adult student will be able to attain a Black Belt
in 31 to 36 months if attending an average of 2 classes per week. The
minimum age for acceptance for the Shodan (FIRST LEVEL) Test is 16. Any junior student to be
eligible for this test at 16, must receive a Sankyu (Brown Belt) ranking on his/her 14th
Birthday, and attend an average of 2 classes per week until they are at least
16. Junior students are eligible to receive a junior black belt (black belt
with white separating stripe) between the ages of 12 and 16 if the student has
been studying for the required amount of time and has progressed through the
entire junior ranking system.
How
Much will it cost for lessons.
Shopping around and comparing prices for
karate lessons is not the same as going to Best Buy or Sears and
comparing prices of big screen TVs. All martial arts schools are really
different. The atmosphere and what is taught varies greatly and basing your
decision on who is the closest and cheapest may not always be your best decision
unless that is your only objective. The investment that you make for
yourself or your child for our programs are comparable to
all the other Martial Arts Schools in our area. We have investment opportunities that will fit
into any budget. We offer 1 and 2 days per week classes. Please call us to set up an
appointment to come down to discuss our payment plans. We do have a Family Plan:
Oldest student of immediate family pays full price, 2nd student pays 80%, 3rd family member
pays 65%, and 4th family member is free. Come down and let us explain our payment plans. We take Visa, Mastercard,
Discover, Cash, Checks and Automatic Check Card Deductions.
Why do students quit the martial
arts?
Students quit for many reasons. The majority find
that the program taught is too difficult and that the teachers are too
demanding. Students do not usually quit the martial arts, they usually quit
their schools. At the BUKA we care about developing the student's character,
self esteem and attitude. If a student is not progressing as quickly as others
that started at the same time, we have assistant instructors and leadership team
instructors that will give personal one on one attention in the back of the
class so that student will not be thinking about quitting. All of our
students also learn that a non-quitting attitude will greatly enhance their
worldly experiences as well. Some students do quit because of financial
difficulties however, the parents of our junior students know that they are
investing in their children's future and not just throwing money away on a
physical activity. If one of our students has a financial difficulty such as
unemployment, we will work with the parents to restructure their agreement so
that he student will be able to continue training until the parents financial
situation is corrected.
Brockton Uechi-ryu
Karate Academy
Inc
Cardinale Plaza
55 Oak Street Extension (N. Pearl and Oak Street Extension)
Brockton, MA 02301
Membership Dept. / 508-631-6687
Dojo /
508-583-2122
Serving All of Brockton, Stoughton-East
and South,
South Easton, Easton and North Easton, Canton-East , Randolph-West,
West Bridgewater, Bridgewater-West, Raynham, Taunton, Avon.
We are
located on Route 27, just off of Route 24, in West Brockton.
We have been at this location since February 2000