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International Uechi Ryu Pwangainuun Association (IUPA)

Currently a Division of the Wilson Karate School Ltd.
   
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Purpose:

The IUPA was founded to promote open minded training environments, and to continually seek methods of increasing the effectiveness of our training and the application of our martial art. The IUPA will also act as the testing and certification body for affiliated schools and affiliated martial arts practitioners .  

It is important to emphasize that Uechi Ryu Karate Do / Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa is a Martial Art.   The first term is martial and before any other benefits may be realized the practitioner must be effective in personal protection.   All the personal development benefits derive from this base.

The IUPA was formed in the spirit of camaraderie where everyone is treated with respect and everyone is to be learned from.   The inspiration for the IUPA was the Saturday morning workout classes at the Wilson Karate School where participants of various levels, schools and associations came together to train hard and LEARN.   Rank was immaterial as everyone had something to offer.

Ranking System:

The ranking system in the IUPA is indicative of the sense of camaraderie it desires .   The testing board will acknowledge three ranks in the IUPA:

  • Apprentice

  • Practitioner

  • Teacher

Apprentice: Everyone wishing to train in Uechi Ryu Karate Do / Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa begins as an Apprentice or “a learner of a craft”.

Practitioner: The Practitioner or “someone who practices a craft” is achieved after successfully passing a Black Belt Test (See Practitioner Level Black Belt Test Requirements).   A certificate from the IUPA is issued to all practitioners at the current fee amount.   (Minimum age: 16 years old.)

Teacher:   A Teacher is someone certified as being able to teach this craft and is awarded to a person of Practitioner Level standing.  It is recognized that people of all levels are students of this art and therefore the Teacher Level certificate is issued to people who still have much learning ahead of them.   The Teacher Level is not distinguished by any markings; they are simply practitioners who teach.  A certificate from the IUPA is issued to all practitioners at the current fee amount.

Practitioner Level Black Belt Test Requirements:

The test for Practitioner Level recognizes the foundation of Uechi Ryu karate Do / Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa is our Kata (forms).   It recognizes our heritage in the exercise brought out of China by Uechi Kanbun Sensei.   It recognizes that the IUPA seeks to have practitioners who are effective.   It recognizes that to truly be effective you must also have some understanding of the principles upon which the style is based.   Therefore the Practitioner Level Black Belt Practitioner Level Test will consist of:

  1. Performance of the Kata Sanchin and Seisan plus one other Kata (the additional Kata is required IF the apprentice practices other Kata) such as any of the remaining Uechi Ryu Kata:   Kanshiwa, Kanshu, Seichin or Sanseirui or another Kata studied by the apprentice.   The Kata may be selected at random on the test day.   If the apprentice does not practice any other Kata then none will be required.   Kata will NOT be judged with personal opinions on the techniques performing Kata but rather on mind, body and spirit.

  2. Demonstration of Iron Body Conditioning (Some form performed by your school that shows body, leg and arm conditioning.)

  3. Demonstration of personal protection through a form requiring effective responses to impromptu attacks (i.e. Night of the Living Dead, protective gear scenarios, Fast Hands or some other contact form of Sparring, Jiyu Bunkai etc).   In addition the IUPA has a specific impromptu test that will be applied.

  4. A presentation consisting of physical demonstration and verbal explanation of a pre-assigned question on a principle of Uechi Ryu karate Do / Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa.

The testing board will consist of members of the IUPA or invited participants, and will be chaired by a person of Teacher Level (the board may consist of three or more).  

Comments will be made on the totality of the test in four categories:   Body mechanics, effectiveness, understanding and general.

The board will pass or postpone certification based on an evaluation of the OVERALL test.

Teacher Level Test Requirements:

  • To be recommended at the Teacher level you must hold the rank of Practitioner.   You must be recommended by your teacher who will certify that you have been tutored in how to teach.

  • In addition you must present to the testing board either a paper or a video tape explaining a deeper principle of Uechi Ryu / Pwangainuun.

Certificate Issuance:

  • Practitioner and Teacher Level certificates will be issued by the IUPA.   There will be a fee for this service.

  • The IUPA will maintain a registry of Practitioner and Teacher Level members.

Association Structure:

The structure is to remain that of a band of comrades in arms.   The IUPA shall be a group of like minded individuals training towards a common goal.

For administrative operations only, the Head of the Wilson Karate School will Chair this association until such time as he wishes to pass it on. There may be an operational board consisting of the Chairperson and two other Directors voted in by the members of Practitioner and Teacher levels should the Chairperson require assistance in any year.

Members are welcome to belong to any other associations of their choice.

Members are free to hold any rank in other organizations.

School Operations:  

The operations of a martial arts school are not matters of concern for the IUPA.   It is not its intent to interfere or impose commercial limitations on who can or cannot open and operate a school.  

Individuals currently holding Dan rank in Uechi Ryu or Shohei Ryu may apply for membership, or Uechi/Shohei Ryu Schools may apply for a bulk membership.   The application will be presented to the Chairperson who will consult with other IUPA members and decide whether or not they are admitted or require testing.   There are no appeals to this decision.  However , the IUPA will only certify affiliated individuals as Practitioner or Teacher.

The Art of Uechi Ryu Karate Do / Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa:

  • The IUPA has chosen to honour Uechi Kanbun Sensei by using his family name style.

  • The IUPA honour Kanbun Sensei’s Okinawan roots by using the term Karate.

  • The IUPA uses the term “Do” to acknowledge this is a way of life and a means for personal development.

  • The IUPA uses the original name Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa to honour and remember the Chinese roots of the system.  

The basis of Uechi Ryu Karate Do / Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa

  • The main three Pwangainuun/Uechi Ryu Kata:

    • Sanchin
    • Seisan
    • Sanseirui

  • Practitioners may also study other Kata, such as (but not restricted to) the remaining five Uechi Ryu Kata:

    • Kanshiwa
    • Kanshu
    • Seichin
    • Seiryu
    • Konchin

  • Body conditioning drills beginning with Kotakitia (Arm rubbing and pounding).

  • Impromptu training practices such as Night of the Living dead, Protective Gear scenarios or any drill designed to create as realistic training as can be safely conducted.

There will be no formally established practices of the IUPA other than these three.  

Each member is free to use and train by any means that improves their effectiveness.

It is important to note that all members of the IUPA hold an equal status.   Practitioners may have a student relationship with a teacher, but all members are simply students of Uechi Ryu Karate Do / Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa.  

Work hard, practice hard, train together, and learn together.

   
       
       
       
       
         
 
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