UW Shorin-Ryu Club History

The UW club was started in 1972 by a 23 year old Shodan first-degree black belt, Kurt Christensen.  Earlier that same year Sensei Christensen established the first youth and karate dojos at the Madison West YMCA.  For 3 years we were under the auspices of the UW Extension, until gym space became tight and it was suggested we become a sports club to get gym space and time priority.  The first class was held at 425 Henry Mall in the top floor gym, which was shared with the fencing club.  Later we were moved to the top floor of the red gym and now the club meets in the basement of Lathrop Hall.

Over the years we've had the reputation of being a very intense, hard physical traditional class.  Now we have evolved to a more enlightened approach to training that involves more verbalization and understanding of pressure points and secret tuite knockout and joint lock techniques for quickly and effectively stopping attackers.

We have trained over 2,500 students in our dojo over the last 32 years.  121 have become black belts: 30 Nidans, second degree black belt, 15 Sandans, 3rd degree black belts 10 Yondans, 4th degree black belts and 1 Godan, 5th degree black belt.  Sensei Christensen is now a Godan, 5th degree black belt with the honorary title of Renshi representing over 27 years of teaching experience.

Renshi Christensen is an active entrepreneur with many business ventures and world travel, but still finds time to visit our dojo and show us the advanced interpretations and techniques of our style.  He also invites us to train at his 7,000 square ft lodge dojo on his farm south of Verona and at the Westside Lassimer YMCA where he also teaches class, donating more of his time to passing on this ancient Okinawan style of martial arts.

Our American style of Shorin Ryu is derived from Matsubayashi and Shoshin Nagamine.  We teach a very traditional class with emphasis on martial art and not sport.  Focus is on kata and techniques, not sport fighting.