Okinawa Karate Center Homepage

Our reward system will improve your child's self-esteem.  We cannot think of a better reason for children to study Goju-Ryu.  Because the students progresses individually, Goju-Ryu excels over team sports where many of our children never share in the limelight.  Our belt ranking system allows the student to daily display and re-affirm their accomplishments while learning to set higher goals.

We do not teach Karate.  We teach children.  Karate is our venue to teach children how to learn to teach themselves.  As a child realizes they have this ability then the subject matter is irrelevant to the process.  If a child can learn to jump in the air, kick and land on one foot while in complete control then any math problem will seem easy.  This will transfer over to improvement in your child's performance in school.  Additionally our "No Pass - No Pass" policy requires a school age child to maintain acceptable grades and conduct in school in order to be eligible for promotion.  We will take an active role alongside the parents to encourage and assist children in accomplishing this task.

Our classes are the perfect alternative to sitting in front of the TV or computer hour after hour.  One of our many goals is to combat the growing epidemic of obesity and poor health related to the lack of physical activity. Martial arts, by it’s very nature, is a fun and effective way to keep the body fit. It is a proven fact there is direct correlation between mental acuity and exercise.  Many seasoned athletes cross train with martial arts to maintain peak performance.  And because children want to do Karate makes it so much easier for you as a parent to get them off the couch.

Although our classes our fun and exciting, parents really appreciate the disciplined structure of our program.  Our classes teach correct behavior and positive attitudes that show up at home and school.  Responsibility, integrity and accountability are all attributes of a disciplined person.

Our classes help children to focus their energies and aggression.  Doctors and psychologists very often prescribe Karate training to help children focus their energy in a positive manner.  Children with ADD, ADHD and other learning challenges learn to concentrate better and expand on their attention span. 

In today's society it is becoming increasingly necessary to possess practical and proven self-protections skills.  Stranger danger and street proofing just isn't enough.  Our classes emphasize the prevention of a confrontation.  However, there is an appropriate time to make a stand.  It is at those times that your child deserves the best possible training and techniques to ensure their safety.  We teach your child how to recognize potentially dangerous situations and how to react quickly and effectively.

Parents need not be afraid of their child misusing what they learn in class.  From the first class we emphasis the use of martial arts for peace. Compassion, gratitude and respect are 3 principles that we reinforce on a daily basis. When a child understands and practices these concepts they use the knowledge they have to resolve conflict in a peaceful manner. A strong value is placed on the training and art and the child is encouraged to treat that knowledge with respect.

Confidence is the most important trait for children to develop.  Confidence will empower your child with the ability to make the right decision, even when it isn't the most popular one.  Our classes create confidence through real success.  Positive critique, praise and attaining goals combined with a curriculum that has been specifically developed to ensure daily success with an emphasis on the quality of technique allows the student to "own" their Karate.  Confidence building drills and the performance of technique help replace shyness with assertiveness.

Peer pressure is real.  Children have the need to feel significant and respected.  "Fitting in" is so important.  One of our goals is to give children something that is uniquely theirs.  As a member of the  Uchinadi-Kan SeiwaKai dojo your child will be associated with some of the most recognized Karate practitioners and associations in the world.  As your child begins to understand what this honor means gangs and other bad influences will find it hard to compete for your child's attention.  Your child will create positive peer pressure that others will want to be a part of instead of the other way around

Children suffer from stress just like adults.  Goju-Ryu classes are great little vacations from the everyday pressures of school and home.  Teaching a child how to cope under stressful situations helps them learn to control their moods and actions.  Children will learn that anger, anxiety and stress are normal and okay.  More importantly they will learn that loosing their temper or acting out are not acceptable and that there are more effective ways to communicate and be recognized.  Karate teaches the student to respond, rather than react.

Unlike most physical activities or sports, when you leave the dojo floor your training will transfer into your everyday routine. Success in Karate requires much more than just physical adeptness.  Some of the mental and character traits developed through Karate training are: 
> An amplified awareness to detail
> Increased motivation and discipline to finish a task
> Higher alertness to your surroundings
> Improved patience with yourself and others
> More confidence to try new things with the understanding that possible failure is a natural part of success

The physical benefits are quite obvious which include muscle toning, flexibility, expanded range of motion, increased stamina, better posture and more.  These are found in most sports and exercise programs but nothing has the applied potentials like those found in Goju-Ryu.  The very foundations that gave birth to yoga and taiji are the same in Goju-Ryu.  Detailed body mechanics combined with an understanding of the sciences of the Eastern internal arts make Goju-Ryu practice a key ingredient for everyday health and wellness.  The practice of Goju-Ryu is a wonderful compliment to a holistic approach to life.

Our classes are enjoyable yet concentrated.  The training exercises and partner drills will at times test your physical limits which in turn will push your mind and spirit to meet these challenges.  Physical strength, a strong mind and unyielding determination create a confident figure.

In today's society it is becoming increasingly necessary to possess practical and proven self-protection skills.  Our classes emphasize recognizing and preventing a confrontation.  However, there is an appropriate time to make a stand.  It is at those times that you deserve the best possible training and practical techniques to ensure your safety.  With continued practice you will develop the necessary skills to respond appropriately to danger.

Home, work and everyday situations create stress in our daily lives.  People spend hundreds and thousands of dollars every year in attempt to deal with stress.  Many times stress is self-imposed as people don't feel they have control of their lives or the ability to control what happens in the world around them.  Successfully dealing with stress comes from having adequate mental and physical skills and the ability to apply those skills regardless of the situation.  When we learn that we all have the ability to control ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually then we have the ability to better control those external influences that create stress. 

Training at the Uchinadi-Kan SeiwaKai dojo emphasizes learning and applying success tools through physical application and mental understanding.  No one technique will work the same way every time.  Every failed technique opens into other options so the student is taught how to flow with the situation rather than forcing it or accepting failure.  By understanding all that can make a technique fail, we are not caught off guard when it happens and we are better able to handle the situation with positive results. The same principles apply to home and work.  Plus the classes are great mini-vacations from the everyday pressures of home and work.  An hour free of stress can have the same effect as a good night's sleep.

Want to lose weight and tone your body? Training in Goju-Ryu is a great compliment to a good health regimen.  And the nice thing about karate training is you don't need any specialized equipment.  You can practice just about anywhere and anytime with minimal space requirements.  With so many different exercise drills and methods of practice boredom will never become a problem.  You can generalize your training or focus specifically on certain aspects like strengthening, increasing flexibility or improving cardio.  It's all up to you.