Introduction to traditional Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate with REACH Board member and 3rd degree black-belt Ian Agranat. Includes three two-hour sessions for a small group of 4-8 adults (16+ to 99+). No athletic talent or abilities are required. In addition to the obvious self-defense applications, the long-term study of traditional Okinawan karate includes developing and improving balance, coordination, conditioning, core strength, awareness, confidence, concentration, and inner peace.

Ian seeks to teach small groups in a non-commercial and safe manner with an emphasis on the underlying self-defense applications rather than competition, demonstration or sport.

Uechi-ryu karate is named for Kanbun Uechi (1877 - 1948) who traveled to China in 1897 and mastered the Pangai Noon ("half hard, half soft") style of Dragon, Tiger and Crane Kung Fu with roots going back three thousand years. He opened a dojo in China and later brought his knowledge back to mainland Japan and Okinawa. After his death, his son (and senior student) Kanei Uechi and other senior students developed additional elements, formalized his methods, and named the resulting system Uechi-ryu in his honor. Today, Uechi-ryu is practiced in dojos all over the world.

The study of Uechi-ryu and other traditional martial arts is a lifelong journey with meaning and benefits far beyond its obvious physical self-defense applications. These three lessons are just an introduction, a small taste, of what is possible. It would be an honor for Ian to start you on your journey and point you in the right direction should you choose to pursue it further.

*Please indicate how many people you can commit to lessons. The hope is to have a group of 4-8 individuals.