Scottish Kempo Academy - Life-Protection Martial Arts

WELCOME!
"Many young and not so young people can benefit from useful skills taught at Scottish Kempo Academy schools that could transform lives!" - Rob Gibson, Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Learning a Martial Art to empower people with the knowledge and skill of Self-Defence is a basic human right that everyone should have access to! Kempo is a life-protection Martial Art of Self-Defence based on ancient Japanese Samurai warrior teachings and adapted for modern times. Are you ready to take your life, or your child's life to the highest level? If so, we invite you to visit our friendly, family-orientated and well established Self-Defence organisation which is based in the scenic Highlands of Scotland. We take pride in being one of the finest non-competition Martial Arts organisations in the world with schools at Inverness, Tain, Dingwall, Bonar Bridge and Strathpeffer providing group lessons.

We also offer private lessons at our Martial Arts Studio in Tain as additional training for SKA members to hone their martial skills, and for members of the public to try the Kempo system or learn practical Self-Defence skills.

We are the largest Self-Defence organisation in the North of Scotland and have Lil' Dragons classes for children aged 4 - 7 years-old, and Kempo classes for children aged 8+ years-old, teens and adults. Our programmes are motivational, educational and inspirational with students receiving safe, effective and practical defensive tuition whilst reaching goals and skills they never dreamt that they could achieve!

ADULTS
Many adults feel they are too old or too unfit to start Martial Arts training. This couldn't be further from the truth! Our adult Kempo classes are a fantastic way to get fit, stay in shape and have fun while learning vital street Self-Defence skills. From the very first Kempo lesson, adults learn how relatively easy it is to learn. Since the movements are natural, students begin to formulate Self-Defence techniques immediately. In addition, many of our adult students have attributed success in their personal careers to the self-discipline and focus gained through their training.

CHILDREN
Our fun, exciting, yet structured and disciplined Lil' Dragon and Kempo classes teach children how to focus their attention which improves their ability to learn Kempo techniques and defend themselves from a bully. Learning builds a real sense of accomplishment in children and with each new accomplishment a child's self-confidence will grow. Once we begin to build a child's confidence we are then able to instil the values of respect, courtesy, honesty and integrity that are the foundations of the Martial Arts dating back thousands of years.

Our Founder and Chief Coach is Hanshi (Senior Master) Neil Hourston (pictured), he is a 9th Degree Black Belt Professional Master Instructor in the arts of Kempo and JuJitsu. Hanshi is a three-time Martial Arts 'Hall of Fame' inductee who has been studying and teaching combative Martial Arts systems for over 39 years in the UK, USA, Holland, Spain, Sweden, Italy and Portugal. He is assisted by an inspirational team of male and female Brown and Black Belt instructors. His Mentor is Professor James Muro 10th Degree Black Belt, who lives in California, America, and is head of the Goshin-Jitsu Chow-Hoon organisation. We are very proud to have genuine Kempo lineage through Professor Muro!

GRADING SYLLABUS
The current Intermediate Yoshin Kempo grading syllabus is Red Dragon.

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO
Hanshi Neil Hourston opened a Martial Arts Studio in Tain on the 1st November for private lessons.

PROMOTIONS
At a recent Kempo Camp in Greeley, Colorado, USA, in April, Neil Hourston was promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt, and Helen Beattie was promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt. The promotions were awarded by Professor James Muro 10th Degree Black Belt (Monterey, California), and the Goshin-Jitsu Chow-Hoon and United Martial Arts Alliance International Yudanshakai (Black Belt Boards). Neil Hourston was further awarded the Japanese title of 'Hanshi' (Senior Master) which was awarded by Grandmaster Stephen Grayston 10th Degree Black Belt Karate (London, UK), and approved by Professor James Muro and Hanshi Ron Carlson 10th Degree Black Belt Gow-Ren-Lu Kempo (Nebraska, USA).

BLACK STAR AIKIDO SEMINAR
Hanshi Neil Hourston and Kyoshi Helen Beattie taught at a Black Star Aikido 'Martial Arts Seminar' in Birmingham, England, on Saturday 16th November.

SPRING GRADING EXAMS
The SKA Spring Grading Exams are scheduled to be held on Sunday 23rd March at Balintore and on Saturday 29th March at Inverness.

LAIRG
The SKA are exploring the possibility of opening classes for children at Lairg in Sutherland. Contact our Office if you are interested in your child/ren attending Lil' Dragon / Kempo classes in Lairg.

HANSHI'S YOUTUBE INTERVIEW
Hanshi Neil Hourston was recently interviewed by Grandmaster Joe Rebelo 10th Dan for the Martial Arts Today TV YouTube channel.