Jen Patashnick

Hachidan candidate at the 2025 UechiCon

Allan Azoff’s Martial Arts Academy - Forty-Seven years young - Began training in 1996

Original Sensei: Vincent Christiano

I discovered Uechi-ryu by accident.  When I matriculated to Brandeis University, I decided to complete the Physical Education requirement as soon as I could:  first semester freshman year.  I reviewed the PE class options and found they frequently met three times a week for an hour, or twice a week for two hours.  In contrast, "Beginning Karate" met Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00.  Only once a week for 90 minutes?  Perfect!  I quickly signed up, thinking that this would be the easiest way to satisfy the PE requirement with the least effort and time commitment.  I soon found myself lined up with 29 other college students, all dressed in cheap white gis (I'm pretty sure I paid $15 for mine!), while an intense Italian man who smelled of Tiger Balm and tied a fraying black belt around his waist told us stories about Uechi "back in the day", and counted out junbi undo and hojo undo in crisp Japanese.  The first time I tied my belt (or, rather, my belt was tied around me!), I left it on for hours, convinced I was never going to figure out how to get it tied again.  By the third class, I was hooked.  I set my sights on shodan, and then, upon achieving that, on yondan - a milestone accomplishment that, at the time, would allow me to sit on black belt test boards, a place where very few women were seen. 

Of course, it didn't end there.  During my martial arts journey, I have had the privilege of studying with true masters of their craft.  Throughout my three decades of Uechi, I have greatly benefited from classes and the keen eye of Grandmaster George Mattson while he taught at the Hut in Newton in the later 90s, Grandmaster Buzz Durkin in Atkinson, and have been welcomed in multiple dojos as a repeated guest student, including those led by Sensei Steve DiOrio, Sensei Fedele Cacia, and many others.  However, for the last twenty plus years, it is at the dojo of Sensei Allan Azoff in Lexington where I found the perfect mix of challenge, instruction, sensitivity, and absolute insistence on strong basics and high standards.  I am proud to be Sempai there, and I am forever grateful to Sensei Azoff for facilitating growth and change not only within my Uechi, but in my life, as well.  He welcomes my children to study, and allows me liberties in both my teaching and learning which have been essential to my understanding and continued appreciation of karate and martial arts generally.  Through Uechi, I have connected with other amazing teachers who honor strong lineages in their own arts.  I have been able to explore Hung Gar Kung Fu with Sifu Calvin Chin, Jeet Kune Do with Sifu Raffi Derderian, and Kali, first with Sifu Derderian and, more recently, with Guros Mike and May Williams.  Thank you all for the expertise you have selflessly shared; I look forward to many more decades of study.

I would be remiss if I didn't also recognize my family - my husband Glen (to whom I was introduced by a college Uechi friend), and our children Orion and Alex - for tolerating my frequent absence while I'm attending classes, seminars, and other training opportunities.  I am a happier, healthier, and more balanced partner and mother because of it.

Congratulations to all the graduates.  May you find the paths and people in your lives that allow you to not only reach, but exceed your dreams.