A Journey Into True Self Defense

If you search for the term “self-defense,” you’ll find definitions like:

“The defense of one’s person or interests, especially through the use of physical force, which is permitted in certain cases as an answer to a charge of violent crime.”

Or:

“The use of reasonable force to protect oneself or family members from bodily harm when one has reason to believe they are in danger.”

Both are technically correct—but they’re incomplete.

According to these definitions, you might assume self-defense is purely a fighting skill. In reality, it’s a life skill—one that shapes how you carry yourself, how you think, how you move, and how you navigate the world.

I didn’t grow up in martial arts. I started my training much later than most—almost 40 years old—well past the age where competition is the focus. Karate tournaments are a young person’s game, and I have no desire to chase medals or stand on a podium. What I do have a desire for is to maintain and improve the things that matter as we age: flexibility, mobility, balance, speed, creativity, discipline, and resilience.

As I moved into my 40s, I began to feel something shift. My body wasn’t getting stronger on its own anymore—it was getting weaker. That realization bothered me. I wanted to preserve the muscle I had, move better, stay healthy, stay sharp, and stay capable. Martial arts became the path that made the most sense.

Five years later—after consistent, daily practice—I earned my Shodan rank, a first-degree black belt. Many people believe Shodan represents mastery. In truth, it represents the opposite. Shodan literally means “first level.” It marks the beginning—not the end—of real karate development.

So here I am at 45 years old, standing at the very start of a lifelong journey. And that genuinely excites me. Because in Ocean State Okinawa-Te, your martial practice isn’t about chasing trophies or performing for crowds. It’s about cultivating the skills, mindset, and philosophy that help you protect yourself, support others, and meet life with confidence and clarity.

The Ocean State Okinawa-Te Philosophy

At Ocean State Okinawa-Te, everything we teach traces back to the original Okinawan roots of karate—the practical, close-range self-protection systems known as Naha-Te, Shuri-Te, and Tomari-Te (collectively known as Tō-de -“Chinese Hand”). These arts were never designed for sport or competition. They were created for survival. Their purpose was simple: protect yourself and the people you care about when there are no rules, no referees, and no time to “square up.”

That foundation still guides us today.

Even though two of our instructors originally come from a Shotokan background, they’ve transitioned almost entirely into Okinawan or Tōde (Okinawa-Te) methodology. Shotokan—as practiced in most modern dojos—leans toward self-perfection: long stances, deep lines, rigid kata, and a heavy emphasis on aesthetics. But Okinawan karate is different. It’s built for self-protection, not performance. It’s meant to make you safer in real life, not prettier in a tournament.

One of the most powerful aspects of Okinawan karate is that the techniques grow with you. As your body changes, the art adapts. You don’t have to kick above your head, jump, flip, or chase athletic perfection. Instead, you refine power generation, body mechanics, close-quarter striking, limb control, and natural movement. It’s an art that actually becomes more effective as you age because it relies on principles—not youth—just like the old masters intended.

Our system is also deeply influenced by our Shihan, a 7th-degree Aiki-Jitsu master, who brings an incredible depth of grappling, joint manipulation, throws, and arm-lock techniques into the curriculum. This blend of Okinawan striking and Japanese jiu-jitsu principles creates a balanced, adaptable approach to real self-defense—one that covers striking range, clinch range, and the ground without relying on brute strength. 

But perhaps the most defining piece of OSOT’s identity is this: Nothing is sacred.

This isn’t a dojo where the instructors say, “Just do it because I said so.” We encourage questions. We encourage exploration. We want students to understand why techniques work, not just memorize how to do them. We dig into bunkai (the analysis of kata movements) and oyo (the practical application of those movements in real-world scenarios), constantly testing, refining, and challenging our interpretations.

Our goal isn’t to build students who merely copy techniques or chase a black belt for its own sake.

Our goal is to cultivate aware, creative, and capable defenders—people who can protect themselves and others when life demands it, whether that threat comes from another person or from the environment around them.

We train to be adaptable.

We train to be resilient.

We train so that when the moment comes—whatever the moment is—you aren’t meeting it for the first time.

Ready to Begin Your Own Journey?

Whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve your fitness, learn real self-protection, or simply discover what your body and mind are capable of, we’d love to have you train with us at Ocean State Okinawa-Te.

We offer classes for both kids and adults: 

Family Class (Kids & Parents)
  –  Tuesdays & Thursdays — 5:30pm to 6:45pm

Adult Class (Self-Protection & Okinawan Karate)
  –  Tuesdays — 7:00pm to 8:30pm
  –  Thursdays — 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Adult + Body Mechanics Class
  –  Sundays — 8:00am to 10:30am

All classes are held at:
 Main Street Martial Arts
 1282 N. Main Street, Providence, RI 02904
(Free parking available behind the building.)

If you’ve ever wanted to start martial arts—or restart it—there’s no better time than now. Come train, ask questions, explore the art, and take the first step toward a stronger, more aware version of yourself.

We’ll see you on the mat