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 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!

SHINGITAI JUJITSU

Coach Saylor (black shirt) demonstrating techniques with Sensei Ingallina at a recent UMAC Shingitai Jujitsu workshop.

You can visit Coach Saylor’s Shingitai Jujitsu web site here.

Here is what Coach Saylor has to say about Sensei Ingallina and Shingitai Jujitsu at UMAC:

John Ingallina was awarded the international “Instructor of the Year” from the Shingitai Jujitsu Association in a ceremony in Perrysville, Ohio on May 19, 2007. Here, John is being presented the award by John Saylor. Here is what Coach Saylor had to say on the occasion:

TRY ANY ADULT MARTIAL ARTS CLASS FREE FOR ONE WEEK!

Simply fill out our online information request form and you will receive a coupon that lets you try any of our adult martial arts classes for FREE.