The Rockland Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Dojo was founded in January 2006 to bring traditional Matsubayashi-Ryu karate to midcoast Maine with four weekly classes.
The dojo operates at the Penobscot Bay YMCA, in Rockport, Maine. We offer four weekly classes open to all teen and adult students.
- The three weekly Karate classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
- The one weekly Kobudo class takes place during the last 30 minutes of one karate class per week. We change which class (Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) and which weapon (Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku) each week.
Our classes are designed for teens and adults. If you are interested in children’s classes, ours might be the wrong fit. Please feel free to come and audit and decide for yourself. We are proud to be the only Maine karate dojo that is a member of the World Matsubayashi-ryu Karatedo Association.
Classes are intense. We practice the basics of Shorin Ryu in each class, as well as working on Matsubayashi-ryu’s 18 Kata, and 7 Yakusoku Kumite. We work on the fighting applications that are inherent in the Kata, as well as exploring the traditional bunkai of the kata—which are meant to better teach us to perform the actual kata. (here’s an example of traditional Kata Bunkai).
Karate practice strengthens the mind, develops composure, a clearer thought process, deeper insight into one’s mental capabilities, and more self-confidence. It strengthens the entire body, improves coordination, quickens reflexes, builds stamina, and overall health.
There is no extra fee for members of the Penobscot Bay YMCA.
