Dojo Grand Opening Update

The past few months have been quite eventful for Leith Karate Academy. To start, we have finally opened the doors at our new Dover, NH location! After two years of virtual classes and private in person classes out of my home, I am excited to have a space that old and new students alike can gather to benefit from Uechi-Ryu Karate together as a community. I would like to thank the many friends and family that helped get the dojo setup and ready for classes.

Last month we hosted our official Grand Opening workout at the Dover dojo. We were joined by Leith Karate Academy students and many fellow students from the Uechi-Ryu Butokukai – including several senior students and my Sensei, Buzz Durkin. It was an honor to host those who have been so instrumental in my Uechi-Ryu training and my development as a karate instructor. The house was packed, and I don’t think we could have fit another person on the mats!

Last, but certainly not least, my wife gave birth to our first child, Evelyn Avery Leith, in December. Evelyn got to visit the dojo for the first time recently and I am eager to watch her grow and to get her started in her own karate training. It has been an adjustment balancing fatherhood with opening a new dojo, but if there is one thing that Uechi-Ryu karate teaches it’s mental and emotional balance – and how to take on a challenge!

I feel incredibly lucky and thankful to be surrounded by so many kind and thoughtful people, be they students, mentors, or family. I am eager and excited to see what is next for Leith Karate Academy and our new Dover, NH location!