INTRODUCTION
Everyone
knows good things come in
small packages. This is true
of a Uechi-Ryu karate dojo
just 45 minutes from downtown
Tampa called Elite Martial
Arts Academy (EMAA). Located
in a suburb community called
Palm Harbor on the west coast
of Florida, the school is
home to many styles of martial
arts including Uechi-Ryu,
Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Kali
and Tai Chi.
The
chief instructor of the Uechi-Ryu
karate program at EMAA is
Kevin Bryce.
Kevin
runs the Uechi-Ryu program
only part-time. His full time
job is as the owner of a full
service advertising and graphic
design company based in the
Tampa Bay area. Kevin holds
the rank of Yondan, with certifications
through the Okinawa Karate-Do
Association and the Jiteki
Jyuku Association. He began
teaching at EMAA in 2005 after
working previously as an instructor
at World’s Gym and the
local YMCA. In 2006 his dojo
became a member of the International
Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation
(IUKF) based in Eustis, Florida.
Kevin’s
interest in martial arts began
with the study of Shotokan
in the ‘70s while attending
college. In the early 90’s
he began studying Uechi-Ryu
karate at the Clearwater Shubukan
under Master Frank Gorman.
He has also studied under
world-renown karate masters
George E. Mattson, Ken Nakamatsu,
and Shin Yugashi. These early
experiences laid the foundation
for what has turned out to
be a life long study of traditional
martial arts.
When
conducting classes at his
dojo Kevin remains focused
on helping his students understand
the depth of the Uechi-Ryu
system while maintaining a
flexible perspective on the
evolution of technique. “Although
each student’s training
goals are different, they
all look to their instructor
as their primary (and sometimes
exclusive) source for guidance
and leadership in this area.
Some martial arts practitioners
see ‘traditional’
martial arts as out-of-date
and ‘old school’
thinking. They believe ‘mixed
martial arts’ is the
proper replacement. This makes
me believe they don’t
understand the meaning of
‘traditional martial
arts’ or what it has
to offer”.
“I
think traditional martial
artists, in part, look at
their art as a vehicle for
self discovery. They get to
examine not just the physical
dimension but also the spiritual
dimension. But don’t
get me wrong, my students
like to be in top physical
condition and karate training
helps them reach that goal.
They also know they can come
in to train for a few hours
each week and put aside their
cares and worries. One of
my senior students told me
recently he practices his
karate daily – especially
the sanchin kata. He said
it allows him to be relaxed
and focused during the day
at work. It would be safe
to assume that karate training
has given him the ability
to effectively manage his
stress.”
Kevin
also thinks respect is an
essential part of traditional
martial arts. “For years
the Japanese have revered
their old and seniors. In
Japan these individuals are
considered to be ‘living
treasures’. In many
schools this has been lost,
this is why I consider it
such an important aspect of
our karate training. Without
exception, Kyu rank students
should bow and respect the
senior ranks and vice versa.
You don’t command respect
and build trust through intimidation
and abuse. I also think every
class should begin with a
bow in and end with a bow
out.”
Kevin
concludes: “In the end,
as an instructor I’m
just a catalyst. I can teach
karate but it’s up to
the student to assimilate
it and do the hard work. When
I was a white belt my Sensei
told me: "In Uechi-Ryu
karate it’s not the
black belt you earn that’s
the ultimate goal –
it’s the journey you
took to get there that counts”.
So
true.
Browse
the Journal