Help Your Child Develop Important Life Skills

Our eight-week Tiny Tigers programs is designed specifically for children ages 3-4, and teaches them important life skills such as focus, teamwork, self-control, and self-esteem. Students will attend a one-half hour class once a week and will learn traditional karate basics and self-defense, while developing balance, coordination, and timing, using an exciting and fun age-appropriate curriculum!

The program is designed so that it is fun and consistent with the child’s developmental level. The children do not get bored and they look forward to their next class. (Given the age group, parents are strongly encouraged to stay and watch the class.)

Contact our school in Brighton at 461-1070 for additional information, or to enroll your child in our next session!

Sensei David Kalish earned his third degree black belt on the same day. Sensei Kalish is the head instructor and operator of the United Martial Arts Center in Victor, NY. He and his phenomenal staff are directly responsible for facilitating the growth of hundreds of students since it’s opening in April of 2007. Sensei Kalish is an incredible tournament competitor and uses the skills that make him so good in that arena as attributes to bring out the best in all!

Sensei Pam Wright was awarded a fourth degree black belt during the ceremony. Sensei Wright opened UMAC with Sensei Ingallina in April of 1999 and has been directly responsible for its success throughout the years. The amount of space it would take to list her contributions would turn this into a ten page blog so we won’t even go there. She has been involved in EVERY ASPECT of EVERY PROGRAM that has been developed at UMAC. She developed the Little Dragon and Junior curriculum. The adult program was designed on her watch. Her kickboxing class has rocked Rochester for almost twelve years. She directly helps the lives of all in her role as a self defense instructor. And on and on… Although her titles are many, her biggest gifts cannot be measured. She is a role model to the young and old. She inspires people just from being with them. She is a friend, confidante, coach and inspiration to all of us. UMAC is what it is because of Sensei Pam Wright. Please let her know just how much she is appreciated and loved. There’s only one of her and we all feel lucky she’s ours!

The Hattatsu Ryu Yudanshakai takes great pride in welcoming its newest inductees after one of the most exciting Black Belt tests we have ever witnessed. Heidi Lyndaker, Andrew Wagoner, Kate James, Matt Healy and Kevin Mulvehill put it all on the line on August 14th as they demonstrated all their talents during a four-hour test. The candidates performed group kata (forms), individual kata, all waza (techniques), nage waza, (throws), katame waza (grappling), and goshin jitsu (self-defense) from both empty handed and armed attackers. They finished off with kumite (sparring) against their classmates then with each other.

Although words could never do justice to the immense sense of pride and gratitude we have for these students, suffice to say we are honored to have them as students and friends. We wish them all the best as their training continues. They know that although attaining a Black Belt in Hattatsu Ryu Karate shows they have an excellent understanding of their concepts and skills, it is a beginning to much more.

Please join us in congratulating them when you see them. Stop, bow and let them know how happy you are to have them in your life. We certainly are!

Sensei Wright writes:

This past Friday evening we had the pleasure of graduating our Brighton students. As we only get this group together every 6 months, it’s a great time to reflect on what we have accomplished. Our Little Dragons, as usual, get out there with gusto and happily perform to show off for family and friends. I am always so pleased with their good behavior and attentiveness. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised – it is what we are working on in every class, it’s just so “in your face” when they do it as such a large group. They are amazing! We had students who were willing to lead the large group, yelling commands out loud in front of “all those people”….a feat I know many adults would be too shy to do! Good for them – their confidence and assertiveness will serve them well as they grow up.

I know it can’t go unnoticed to anyone who watches our Junior students as they progress in their ranks – they are growing up to be leaders. As karate instructors, we get to spend many years getting to know our students. Issues or struggles they had when they first arrived to try karate can be worked on together for longer periods of time. Students who start as Little Dragons and continue on to Juniors show us that our investment as their teachers can be the most fulfilling job we could ever have. Watching our kids grow in the dojo shows us the powerful influence of having positive role models in our children’s lives. As a karate mom myself, I know for a fact this is one of the best things I have done for my son. Ask me sometime – I’ll be happy to tell you all about it!

Congratulations to all the students who continue to work so hard to reach their goals. Your new ranks are proof that all your efforts are worth it! You make your instructors proud!!!!!

Sensei Kalish writes:

I have been doing Martial Arts for almost my entire life. I have had lots of great experiences and made many lifelong friends along the way. In the past few years I have started to go to “Martial Arts Camps.” These camps have been some of the most fun and rewarding experiences in my martial arts education. Here’s what you need to know:

• It’s not just for Black Belts. Lots of people think that you need a lot of experience to get the most out of the camps. This is not true – the camps are very open and welcoming to students of all abilities, levels, and styles. Personally, I think that there are a large number of black belts at the camps because people love the camps so much, that they come again and again, year after year, and naturally, their belt rank increases every year they come….
• Which seminar to attend? This is the heart of the camps. Most camps have a variety of instructors who put on seminars with a wide range of topics. You get to choose what to take. Should you go with something you know well to see what they offer to improve your skills, or should you try something completely different? The choice is yours.
• Bonding with your instructors and friends: this might be the best part of camp. How often do you get to hang out with your colleagues from karate? Probably not enough. The camps are a great way to get to know everyone on a more personal level – find out what they are like outside of karate class.

The first camp you go to might be a little intimidating – you need a little bit of courage and might need “permission” to go. But it’s worth it. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

PS – Most of the camps are adult only – so please check with your instructors to make sure you are eligible to attend.

PPS – If you are not yet an adult, remember that we host Kids and Youth Camps every summer, and many of the same experiences can be had with your friends.

See you at camp…

Hermes Franca at UFC weigh-in

The first one is right here in town: Sensei Keyes is bringing Hermes Franca, the former WEC Lightweight Champion and one of the world’s best Mixed Martial Artists, to his Kime Karate dojo in Fairport to teach a series of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA Seminars. If you’re looking for good Jiu Jitsu, this is it!

The event will be taking place on Friday, January 15th, and Saturday, January 16th. There are a number of sessions scheduled, including:

• Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminar on Friday 5:00-6:00pm ($25)
• Adult BJJ Seminar (Kime Karate Students Only) on Friday 6:30-8:00pm
• Free Beginner Workshop on Saturday 12:30-1:30pm
• MMA Seminar on Saturday 2:00-3:30pm ($75)
• Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminar on Saturday 4:00-5:30pm ($75)

You can also attend both MMA & BJJ Seminars for $100!

Call Kime Karate at 585.223.2870 for more information and to register!

Saratoga is one of the premiere non-competitive events in the northeastern United States, and they bring together senior-level instructors from wide range of styles to teach on lots subjects. This is open to all belt ranks in all disciplines, and a number of our instructors and students have attended Saratoga in the past, and have had a fantastic experience.

The schedule of classes for this year’s festival has not been posted yet, but watch this space (or theirs!) for further details.

UMAC Holiday Hours

Martial arts classes

We will be closed from Thursday, 12/24, through Sunday, 1/3. Classes will resume on Monday, 1/4.

Fitness classes

We will be closed on 12/24-25, and 12/31-1/1. All other classes will follow our regular schedules.

We hope that you have a great holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year!