Did you know?
Moving your mouse over these pictures will reveal more information about our classes.Here's what students say about our program:
"In [school], there was a person who was not being very kind. Before, I would have gotten angry towards them, but remembering my instructor saying to understand that people have bad experiences, I did not let it get to me to the point that I got angry with them."
"Before joining Universal Kempo Karate, I had trouble with my shoulders both in strength and mobility. Since training at the Summerfield Branch I have increased my strength and am now able to do 45 pushups in one session whereas I could only do 3 before and my range of motion in my shoulders has increased dramatically."
"I had a *really* good karate class tonight. You'll probably hear me whining about my sore aching joints tomorrow. During mat-chat for the adult class, Instr. Mears reviewed the objectives of the UKKSA, and paid particular attention to Association Objective # 4 - To Contribute To The Prosperity And Improvement of Each Other By Developing Closer Relationships.
This is a powerful topic for me. There are many places you can go for instruction on kicking drills, proper form, how to beat the bejesus out of someone, and what equipment is required -- and who it must be purchased from. And I have to tell you, the school I choose to attend is one of the least convenient insofar as location. We drive about 20 miles across town to class, passing several other branches and different martial arts schools on the way. Why do we do it?
The Relationships. Two of my very best friends and their children attend Mears Karate, the Summerfield branch of the UKKSA. They introduced me to Sr. Head Instructor Brad Mears, who impressed me as a thoughtful, dedicated, and exuberant teacher; I got this impression from our short meeting at my friends wedding celebration, and it has been proven true repeatedly. After one visit to the school I was struck by the teamwork and camaraderie between the class members. I was hooked and wanted in.
Now that my family has been training for 3-4 months, I have seen and experienced these connections first hand. These Relationships. I work with students many ranks higher than myself, but I never feel like "the n00b in the white belt." In these few months I have met and connected with a wonderful group of people, and they are just the first circle of students -- our branch. The commitment and friendship extends between all branches and students in varying degrees, different but always apparent, always positive, always valuable.
These relationships...these friends...inspire and encourage me. No one is judgmental. When I try and don't succeed completely, or even partially, all I hear is encouragement, support, and constructive advice. Instr. Mears insists on respectful behavior -- and is quick to call out a student who loses focus or drifts away from the matter at hand -- but maintains a warm and friendly training environment. All of his black belt instructors are knowledgeable and supportive leaders and each an accomplished martial artist in his or her own regard. And they are as humble, committed, and caring as Instr. Mears himself.
This single objective, and the way it is demonstrated by every association member I have met, is more valuable and important to me than any degree or symbol of skill I may achieve, the number of bricks I may break, or any tournament awards I may achieve. These people who train, study, sweat, and achieve with me are what makes the UKKSA great and makes me humbly honored to be a member.
And it doesn't hurt that we have some top-notch practitioners among our highest ranks... but that is just icing on the cake. The people themselves and our bonds are the reward.
I hope you find this as inspiring to read as it has been for me to experience. I encourage you to call Instr. Mears or any of the UKKSA branches near you to find out how you can begin to build these profound relationships -- and learn some great self-defense while you are growing with us!"
"At school, one of my friends is hard to work with. she gets upset easily when she does not get her way. I have learned to be patient with her so that we can compromise and not get into as many disagreements."
"I value the friendships I have gained with other adults in the class... I have few opportunities to get to know people that are not connected with my work, so it's nice to meet folks that have different backgrounds."
"I thought my days of training karate were over in 1988 when I fell 70 feet in a mountaineering accident and suffered multiple fractures and other trauma to my entire body. When my kids started training this Fall at the Summerfield branch of Universal Kempo Karate, they wanted us to do it as a family. Through my children’s encouragement, all five of us signed up and began our training. It has been an excellent experience.
Senior Head Instructor Brad Mears, does a fantastic job in leading the nearly fifty participants in our bi-weekly training. He, together with the other instructors, impart discipline, confidence, respect and better health as well as develop life long skills and friendships. In the past five months, my body has strengthened. Pains that I thought would be with me all of the days of my life as a result of my accident are improving. As my body has strengthened, the aches and pains that have been with me for years have lessened and that has had a positive effect mentally as well as physically.
"Our whole family trains Kempo Karate together at the Summerfield branch of Universal Kempo Karate. It has been a fantastic experience. As I watched the instructors the very first night my kids attended, I was impressed at how they dealt with all of the children and I decided then and there: this is where I want my kids to train karate. Senior Head Instructor Brad Mears leads an all-star group of instructors that are excellent in how they relate to students and break down all of the elements of learning karate into easy to learn steps. The school is a positive environment and I would encourage anyone to bring their kids and even attend as a family. You cannot go wrong, and your kids will come away with confidence, discipline, respect, better health and life long skills."
"In the year that I have enjoyed being a part of the Universal Kempo family, I have grown tremendously. My core strength has definitely improved. My upper body, lower body and aerobic fitness levels are at my highest levels since I was in my early 20s. With this increased strength comes an increased awareness of my growing abilities to defend my family and myself if needed. I have been enrolled in other forms of martial arts, but this one is the most complete and most family oriented."
"Before joining Universal Kempo Karate, I had trouble doing quite a few activities in gym class. I've noticed that doing these activities seem to be getting easier, and I am gradually doing better."
"Since Beginning Universal Kempo Karate, I have found that I have gained more muscle, where before I did not have much because I was not interested in physical activities."
"When I started, I think I had poor muscle tone and not much strength or stamina. Now, activities such as push-ups and 'floor wipes' seem much easier. My neck muscles used to become stiff/sore regularly, but now it is rare."
