The Rockland Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Dojo was founded in January 2006 in Rockland, Maine to bring traditional Matsubayashi-Ryu karatedo to midcoast Maine with three weekly classes.
The dojo operates at the Penobscot Bay YMCA, in Rockport, Maine. We offer three weekly classes open to all teen and adult students and one advanced class by invitation only.
- The three weekly Karatedo classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
- We also feature one weekly Kobudo class 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 audit a class and decide for yourself. We are proud to be the only Maine karate dojo member of the World Matsubayashi-ryu Karatedo Association, and the only Midcoast Maine karate dojo teaching traditional Shorin-ryu Karate.
Classes are intense. We practice the basics of Shorin Ryu karate in each class, the 18 kata of Matsubayashi-ryu, and 7 Yakusoku Kumite. We work on the fighting applications inherent in the Kata and explore the traditional bunkai of the kata – meant to help us perform the kata more precisely. (here’s an example of traditional Kata Bunkai).
Karatedo practice strengthens the mind and body, develops composure, a clearer thought process, deeper insight into one’s mental capabilities, and more self-confidence. It improves coordination, quickens reflexes, and builds stamina and overall health.
There is no extra fee for members of the Penobscot Bay YMCA.
Current membership rates at the Pen Bay YMCA are listed below.
