Almeidas Shoto Kan Karate School

Information may not be reliable

The A.I.K.A. is an acronym for Almeida's International Karate Association, similarly the acronym also used to refer to our sub-organization the Amateur International Kick boxing Association. Not many people know this but the A.I.K.A. is the first organization to legalize amateur kick boxing events through the Massachusetts Boxing Commission.
What do you teach?

Thanks to our instructor Hanshi John Almeida of New Bedford Massachusetts, we are trained in a variety of martial techniques. Our main focus is traditional Japanese and Okinawan Karate. Other disciplines we train in include: Kick boxing, ju-jitsu, Aikido and weapons.
We utilize the philosophy of mind-body-spirit and help members to learn to control their minds when they train and to tap into their physical and spiritual (Ki or Chi) energy.
Who is Hanshi John Almeida?
Hanshi John Almeida is a respected name in martial arts. He has dedicted the last 40 years of his life to a variety of martial arts. Training under Sensei Dave Shuster, Sensei Peter Antunes, Sensei Bob Gomes, Shihan Kazumi Tabata and Sensei Jack Leonardo has helped forge him into the master he is today. He is an 8th dan black belt and has acheived this honor from two of the greatest, most renown masters in the world Hanshi Seiji Aikimine (10th Dan) and Hanshi Fusei Kise (10th Dan).
Those that know Hanshi aren't as impressed with his rank as they are with the man. Hanshi is bigger than life and full of energy. He has dedicted his life to the developement of his technique and unique combination style of martial arts. Members of his organization consider him a friend and a mentor.
Hanshi Almeida is assisted by long time student Shihan Wayne Mello. Shihan Wayne is a sixth degree black belt and has a dojo in Oxford, MA. He is currently an active successful competitor and is accredited with hosting one of Massachusetts largest Karate tournaments each year, The Worcestor Classic.

Why should I take Karate?
If nothing else Karate is a time proven method of Physical fitness. Its development over time into its modern version has helped define it as an elite method of physical training. Karate students are world renown for their good health, strong immune systems, endurance, longevity, healthy joints and extreme strength. Professional Athletes that study martial arts find the training enhances their performance. Anyone remember some guy name Andre Tippet? There are many that call him sensei or " Karate Instructor".
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Karate is also an excellent means of self-defense; it's a great method of learning discipline and is used by many children afflicted with ADD. Karate also teaches people to relax, lower stress and get in touch with ones own spiritual side. Many karate schools (including A.I.K.A. schools) also teach some healing techniques such as massage.
Therefore karate is not just fancy kicks and punches, but a whole life system to ensure a sound mind in a sound body with a sound spirit.
Why should I choose the A.I.K.A?
First of all make sure there is an A.I.K.A. school within 20 minutes of your house. The last thing anyone wants is for someone to quit training in martial arts because travelling made them lazy.
Second the A.I.K.A. has proven itself through it's students. We could write a book of the accomplishments of Shihan Almeida, from National Titles to six on one street fights, from the "barkless tree",to the many other instructors of other schools that look to him for guidance and most importantly to his wonderful loving and supporting family; but, this shouldn't mean anything to you. What really counts to you is what his students have accomplished.
Almeida's students have proven themselves the world over. Several of them have won national titles and some have placed internationally. They have consistently produced Massachusetts IPPON champions in fighting, kata and weapons. His students have proven themselves by accomplishments cross training in other arts. They quickly adapted to kick boxing a few years ago when amateur kick boxing was legalized in Massachusetts and dominated over students that exclusively trained in kick boxing. They have held there own training with world class Aikido, Judo and Jujitsu competitors. Most importantly A.I.K.A. members become a family, always there to support one another.
Thirdly A.I.K.A. offers full spectrum training, we are well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the many arts and add the best of techniques to our arsenal.
Lastly because the A.I.K.A. offers qualified rank. Our ranks can be tracked directly back to the most renown masters of Okinawa, Hanshi Fusei Kise and Hanshi Seiji Aikimine. But since you will probably never meet these masters, locally our ranks are earned not given.

Many of our members have failed exams or been held back from testing. This should not be a discouragement but an encouragement; if everyone earned an "A" on every test in high school how would colleges determine the qualifications of a student? Where they all really that good or were the tests too easy? When you earn the rank of 1rst degree black belt (Shodan), it should mean something more than just passing a test.
The A.I.K.A. is also a low profit organization. While each school has different rates and do charge dues, few of us make any profit at all. It's all done for the love of the art. The rates charged at our schools are usually competitively low. Most of the schools will offer family rates or special rates to college students. The A.I.K.A. has always and will always be about teaching karate, not about making money.