The Old Way™

As said by Mattson sensei : “I have been studying, practicing, and teaching this fascinating fighting system since 1958, when I established the first Mattson Academy in Boston, after returning home from a two-year tour on the Island of Okinawa, where I studied Uechi-ryu karate from Grand Master Ryuko Tomoyose and Grand Master Kanei Uechi.

Tomoyose Sensei always talked about how Shushiwa taught Kanbun Uechi in China and related it to how he would have liked to have taught me, had I been able to stay on Okinawa for many years and if I had the patience it took to endure this “OldWay™” of learning Uechi-ryu.

I understood that the “OldWay™” was not very exciting and certainly would not be a method that I could introduce to the West, especially since it wasn’t even practiced on Okinawa. Because of this, the “OldWay™” remained in hiding for over 50 years.

I have decided to propose this bodyflow program to advanced practitioners and Lionel Reynaud helped me on this way by teaching t in the Mattson Academy.
Lionel supported me as well in the selection of the 8 principles and for the translation in Japanese as he is very active in Japan.

The 8 Principles of the OldWay™

The 8 principles in detail :

1. All is in Sanchin
2.Power comes from the ground, strike with the whole body.

3.The hard is when the movement strikes. 

4.The soft is the body flow.
5.The breath is not linked to movement.
6.Intercept and control are key self-defense principles of the Uechi-Ryu.
7.Perform no wasted movements.
8.Always keep the body flow. . .


Uechi-Ryu Old Style Research Institute

In addition to the core system of Uechi-Ryu, we proposed creating a special space within our community to learn Uechi-Ryu Old Style Karate. To achieve this, we established the Uechi-Ryu Kyushiki Kenkujo, allowing advanced practitioners to better understand Kanei Uechi Sensei’s methods.

The Uechi-Ryu Old Style Research Institute is open to all karatekas, including advanced practitioners, and serves as a space to deepen their understanding of Uechi-Ryu OldWay™ Karate.

Joining the Uechi-Ryu Kenkyujo

Kenkyujo Learning Platform
By joining the Institute you will have access to our learning platform where you will find specific lessons based on the OldWay™. Lionel will propose you specific session and as the group is growing, we will set up fortnighthly online class dedicated to the OldWay™.

On-Line Class
Our Sensei (Lionel Reynaud) is leading 3 weekly classes.
As a Kenkyujo member you will have access to theses classes and you will have a Monthly or a Fortnightly individual coaching session with the Sensei.

Membership / Fees
The Kenkyujo Monthly fee is 30 Euros.
With your Membership you will enter