Sensei Bob Noel
I first became involved in Uechi-ryu Karate in 1978 and have been a student for over 40 years. I have been teaching Uechiryu for the past 30 years, first in Massachusetts alongside my Sensei Bill Meiklejohn (Renshi, Rokudan), and now here in Knoxville, Tennessee. I am ranked a Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt), and I have been awarded a Renshi Title ( First Level Master). I am Shihan ( Senior/ Chief Instructor/ teacher) at Knoxville Uechiryu Karate School. I am a founding member of the American Self Defense Federation (AS-DF). I am also a member of the International Uechiryu Karate Federation (IUKF) and the Okinawan Karate-do Union (OKU).I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to study with some of the very best American Uechiryu Masters.
Uechiryu Karate, the art that Kanbun Uechi brought back to his island home of Okinawa, is essentially the same martial system taught in most Uechiryu schools today. The style has not been simplified or watered-down. Uechiryu is still the vigorous system of self-defense that it has always been. Uechiryu is not about: flash, flying through the air, katas performed to music, tie-dye uniforms, or a fast-track to a black belt. Indeed, Uechi is as far removed from the Hollywood version of martial arts as you can get. Uechi’s rigorous training and the philosophy encouraged in the dojo help to build self-confidence, relieve stress, and foster emotional well being.
I have enjoyed training and teaching Uechiryu Karate-Do for many years, and sharing my knowledge with my students and at seminars. I hope you will give Uechiryu a try and join us for our classes.
