About Santa Barbara JKA

From 1980 to 1992 Sensei Masayuki Ueoka taught regularly scheduled classes at both the Santa Barbara YMCA and at University of California, Santa Barbara. During this period of time a core group of students grew in number. These students continued to train at the YMCA and assist Sensei Ueoka with teaching in the often very large classes at UCSB. In 1992, this core group, with the agreement of Sensei Ueoka, decided to open a Dojo for regular training, in lieu of teaching through the YMCA.

Santa Barbara JKA (SBJKA) opened its doors in March of 1992. Sensei Ueoka continued to support UCSB classes and also teach intermediate and advanced classes at the main Dojo. Paul Johnson (Nidan, 1992) and others taught beginner and intermediate classes. In 1995, SBJKA discontinued support of classes at UCSB due to the class load at the main Dojo. In 1997, Chad Peplinski (Godan, 2008) agreed to assist in teaching beginner and intermediate courses along with Paul Johnson. Today, the same format continues, with a core group of dedicated Karate-Ka training and teaching, and Sensei Ueoka running advanced classes.

Why our Dojo?

Not being a large school has many benefits to those who train at our dojo. The training becomes very personalized and the instructors have more time to focus on each student. Our instructors are there to pass on the knowledge and keep the tradition alive. That is more important that than recognition or profit. With over 85 years of combined martial arts experience, they will give you what you need to become something more than you were before you walked though our doors.

Karate is a way of life. Our dojo exists because we want to train hard and push ourselves to our limits.

Our floor is not that large, but it is an exceptional floor. Come on and give it a try some time. You will see for yourself.