Who We Are:

Serving Middle Tennessee for nearly 30 years, VMA has become and remains one of the most prominent and well respected dojo in the nation.

By offering a traditional karate curriculum enhanced with state-of-the art teaching and training methods, our program is prepared to meet the needs of even the most demanding student. We offer a friendly, but challenging environment designed to guide and stimulate each student to their full potential.

Why Martial Arts & Why VMA?

Traditional martial arts practice is a near-perfect life building activity. The physical movement patterns build endurance, strength, flexibility, and improve body composition. The core values of discipline, respect, confidence, humility, and perseverance establish a set of life guiding principles. Training is practical by providing a means of self defense. And to add to its enjoyment, exciting sport competition is an option as well. No other activity is nearly as complete.

At VMA we couple classical training with modern conditioning and strategies to prepare our students for any challenges life has to offer. Our services range from very traditional to innovative state-of-the-art. We offer the best elements of self defense, philosophy, sport, and fitness using a staff that’s educated and trained to be of the highest caliber.

Come to us with a willingness to learn, or a problem to correct, and our instructors will work tirelessly toward your success. The VMA staff welcomes challenges at all levels, and we hope to inspire you to do the same. It is our distinct goal to create students to be honorable hard-working citizens, who are physically fit, mentally strong, and champions of life.

Our Style:

Wado-Ryu is the dominant discipline of our dojo. Although politically independent, our curriculum most closely resembles that of the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Renmei, and was brought to us by Shihan Cecil T. Patterson.

Shihan Patterson was directly trained by Wado founder Hironori Ohtsuka. He was the highest ranking occidental (non-Japanese) Wadoka in the world, and is credited with bringing Wado-Ryu to America.

Our Affiliations:

VMA is licensed and registered with both the United States of America National Karate Federation (USANKF) as well as the United States Judo Association (USJA). The USANKF is the national governing body of traditional karate in America, and is a member of the US Olympic Committee.