Uechi-Ryu Karate

Uechi-Ryu is a traditional Okinawan martial art, as interpreted by Master Kanbun Uechi, his son Kanei Uechi, his grandson Kanmei Uechi, and students of their art. Uechi Ryu has its origin in the ancient Chinese tradition of martial arts. Kanbun learned the system Pangainoon ("half-hard, half soft") in China after fleeing Japanese military conscription in his homeland of Okinawa. The system, which has gone by the name Glare in the Eyes with Fast Hands is based on the movements of the dragon, tiger and crane. Uechi's students, grateful for his many years of instruction, renamed the system "The way of Uechi." Uechi-Ryu karate was brought to North America in 1958 by Sensei George E. Mattson, 9th dan. Uechi Ryu today is taught undiluted in dojos throughout the world. It is not an Americanized, smoke-and-mirrors creation of a commercial karate instructor -- it is efficient and disciplined self-defense through karate, the art of weaponless fighting.

Uechi-Ryu provides a unique approach to the martial arts. Uechi-Ryu uses deadly and reliable strikes to vulnerable targets to defeat foes, but lacks the flash and endless variety of some styles. Uechi-Ryu is application oriented and avoids high kicks, spinning techniques, flashy exaggerated blocks, or many jumping techniques, since these leave a fighter vulnerable to attacks and throws. Uechi-Ryu uses soft blocks to redirect the force of an enemy's attack, instead of using karate's more traditional hard blocks, which require you to counter your opponent's strength. These soft blocks also set up opportunities for counterattacks and throws.

All of Uechi-Ryu builds upon the principles found in Sanchin kata, its first form. Advanced Uechi-Ryu consists of expansions of these principles rather than an assembly of unconnected techniques, so Uechi Ryu builds a solid foundation for its students' progress. Sanchin stance is fundamental to all Uechi kata, and is designed to protect karate students and allow them to use their bodies to their fullest. Its back posture, tight stomach, locked-down shoulders and turned in elbows allow practitioners to channel the power of their legs into the strikes and blocks their arms make. A short stance, Sanchin provides the stability of a longer stance, but reduces the vulnerability of the front leg to kicks and sweeps and allows greater mobility.

Uechi Ryu is also a grappeling style and permits the grabbing of an opponent's legs, arms, body, in sparring - something many martial arts styles forbid. Many of these grabs lend themselves to takedowns, while others provide chances for counter attacks.