CONTRIBUTED BY LYNN HAMILTON

Martial Arts 1

I love martial arts. I have been a practitioner on and off over the years. When I arrived in Okinawa I decided it was definitely time to get back into it again! But I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated by all the choices of dojos in Okinawa, plus the fact that my grasp of the Japanese language is almost nonexistent. Also, most schools are filled almost entirely with male students (I’m female) & few, if any offering Wing Chun Kung Fu as well as traditional Okinawan karate. And I have never been a ‘star’s student, so I was hoping to find a teacher with a good measure of patience.

Martial Arts 2

A colleague of mine was taking me around the area of highway 58 in Ginowan when I spotted the sign for both karate AND Wing Chun at the same place (he also has a school in Chatan and lots of classes for children as well as adults of all skill levels)! I figured I had nothing to lose by sending an email (sandro@ryuibukan.com). Sensei Sandro responded kindly. Yes, I was welcomed to both types of classes and he speaks English (as well as Japanese, French, and his native Italian)! Plus he is an accomplished teacher and martial artist with over 30 years of training and a presence on television (you can see clips of interviews on the school’s website. The rates are very reasonable and he is easy to reach by phone.

After 2 months of training, I feel I’ve really come a long way. I’m back in good shape and enjoying every minute of my training! Looking for a great teacher? You’ve found one here!

Website:  Okinawa Ryuibukan Association

Phone:  080-3993-2109

Dojo Instructor: Sensei Alessandro Arangio Febbo

Dojo Locations: Ginowan, Chatan

Ginowan -- 2-15-1-2F Oyama Ginowan-shi
Okinawa-ken Japan 901-2223

• Karate Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Small children (until 5 years old) 4pm-5pm
Children beginners (from 6 years old) 5pm-6pm
Children advanced belts 6pm-7pm
Secondary schools boys 7pm-8pm
Adults 8pm-9,30pm
• Wing Chun Classes: Tusday and Thursday
Adults 8pm-9,30pm

Chatan  -- 1-28 Aza-Miyagi Chatan
Kenei Sunabe Danchi Jichikaikan

• Tuesday and Thursday, (2 classes)
5pm to 6pm
6pm to 7pm