While people of all ages can benefit from the study of karate, classes
at the Uechi (pronounced Weh-chee) Karate School are oriented toward adults, not young children. Indeed, most of our students
through the years have ranged from their early 20's to their late 50's. We have had students both younger and older
but we do not accept students less than 10 years of age and students aged 10 - 17 inclusive must be accompanied by a
responsible adult when they attend class.
The Karate Kid movies of the 1980's certainly helped popularize the martial arts but they also led to
the misconception that karate was just for kids. Nothing could be further from the truth. Certainly, children
of a reasonable age can benefit from learning the art of self-defense and the mental discipline which karate instills.
The physical fitness aspects of karate training speak for themselves in this age of the Internet, social media and video
games.
However, adults can benefit from exercising both their minds and their bodies as well. In fact,
once individuals leave school and start working for a living, their level of physical activity tends to decrease
and the pounds can start to be packed on. The challenge of learning something new, like karate, can help keep one's
mind fresh and vital. Furthermore, karate can have the unique ability to relief the stress that builds up in daily life.
As for self-defense, we all hope that that we will never have to use the techniques we learn in a karate
class. Indeed, in a small town such as Allegan the chances of actually needing to protect ourselves from attack seems
rather remote. Still, one never knows, and the other benefits of karate training make it more than worthwhile.
Being geared toward adults, as we are, you won't find any fancy acrobatics, slashing the air with exagerated
chops, or artifical screaming/shouting. Instead, you will find a serious, mature, no-nonsense approach to the study
of the Oriental art of self-defense. You will find other students, like yourself, we are seeking to improve themselves
physically and mentally while they learn the art of self-defense.
