Jul 22, 2024 By Melissa Gibson 4 min read

In 1963, Sensei Frank Di Nunno opened the Uniontown Karate Club, meant to share the tenets of courtesy, discipline and respect through martial arts. It was under him that current owner and chief instructor Sensei Jim Umbel learned the practice.

Umbel is a fifth-degree black belt today, but in 1978, he was just falling in love with the practice and everything it stands for.

“It’s been a passion of mine since I was young. I always wanted to train but wasn’t able to until I was 20 or 21 years old,” Umbel said. “There’s so many values in traditional karate. It’s a healthy lifestyle, you can learn to defend yourself and we learn to be better people.”

The traditional martial arts practice differs from what many consider to be karate in the sports world.

For example, they don’t use weapons of any kind. In fact, the word “karate” is Japanese for “empty hand.”

Participants earn their belt but there are no trophies, competitions or points earned for each correct move.

Perhaps in both traditional and recreational karate, self-defense skills and healthy workouts come naturally.

“Traditional karate encompasses what many aerobics don’t do. There’s strength training and flexibility along with the practice,” Umbel said. “We had an 89-year-old senior instructor who recently passed away from COVID. He was in amazing shape and could do a full split.”

Umbel also shares defensive moves and teaches youth how to handle various situations.

“We talk about what to do when you’re facing a bully. You always want to bring them to your level, you don’t go down to theirs,” Umbel said. “I can also show anyone a move to do if someone grabs your wrist. I’ve had the biggest guys I’ve ever met grab my wrist and when I break their grip, they are shocked. That alone would be worth the month of tuition.”

It’s not magic, Umbel said, it’s simply physics – something traditional karate leans on heavily.

He joined the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) and earns his degrees from other senior instructors.

It requires years of study and experience to obtain the next level.

“They don’t just give it away. It’s perfecting, exploring and understanding the physics of karate. It’s writing scientific reports and tests that are several hours long,” Umbel said.

While it may sound like a lot for those just getting started, at the basic level, there’s still much to be gained.

It’s not uncommon for Umbel to welcome youth through adults to the studio. Some don’t get started in the practice until well after retirement and regardless of age and experience, the growth is noticeable.

“I’ve seen children with ADHD and hyperactivity excel in the practice and I’ve seen children from broken homes who are lacking the discipline parents wish they had time for, learn it here,” Umbel said.

It’s an opportunity for all ages to learn better social interaction, healthy lifestyle practices and to gain confidence in themselves and the body’s capabilities.

“I think there are tons of things vying for our youngster’s time and it’s not always good for them. There’s screen time and social media keeping them in the house all the time and this isn’t bringing people together,” Umbel said.

He’s working to change that through the martial arts practice he loves.

“In this building, you’ll be exposed to people. You’re being corrected by name. I don’t stand in the front of the room and count,” Umbel said. “We all need improvement; I’m still improving myself but that’s what this is about. You give back to the art that gave to you.”

As a business participating in BeLocal, Umbel is offering a special promotion for those with BeLocal cards. New members can receive a free uniform (a $45 value) and can sign up to buy one month of lessons and get a second month free.

Visit https://uniontownkarateclub.com/ for more information.