About Us
Our Philosophy
We promote fitness and personal growth through traditional Uechi Ryu karate training in a family friendly, respectful environment.
At South Shore Karate, we keep our groups fairly small, but with plenty of class options in the schedule. This allows us to provide extra special attention to each of our students and it gives us great pride to be part of their karate journey. We love watching students grow up or grow older alongside us, as we all continue training our mind, body and spirit through karate.
South Shore Karate, LLC
Located in the Herring Brook Place
28 New Driftway,
Scituate MA 02066
Our Studio
- Well-lit, clean and welcoming for students and families
- Separate waiting area for parents, siblings and family members
- Large windows for subtle observation of students
- Padded tatami mats for training and comfort
- Regularly cleaned and updated pads and training equipment
Introductory Session!
All new students (must be 6 year or older) will be scheduled for a one-on one introductory session to assess their skill level, focus, and goals. The introductory lesson is free and there is no obligation to join. The purpose of this session is to give parents and students the opportunity to try some karate, meet the instructor and decide if we are a good fit. We then do our best to place the student in the best program available.
Our Programs!
* Karate Moves: Age 6-9
* Karate Youth: Age 9-13
* Karate Teens: Age 13-17
* Adult Karate: Age 18+
Private Lessons available upon request
Karate Moves: Ages 6-9
5-week program, once a week, supplementary options available
Karate Moves, for our youngest students, incorporates plenty of skills, drills and movements into focused, but fun and age-appropriate challenges. Children will learn how to perform traditional Uechi Ryu (pronounced Way-Chee-Roo) karate warm-up exercises, count in Japanese, develop in karate basics and gain pride as they advance in their karate journey. Promotions are earned with good attendance, dojo etiquette, hard work, focus and skill development.
These classes will help students:
- Improve focus
- Learn about respect inside and outside of the dojo
- Gain better balance, flexibility, and speed
- Learn basic karate stances, punches, blocks and kicks
- Practice sequences which incorporate movements and techniques learned
- Have fun, make friends and burn some energy!
Karate Youth, Age 9-13
5-week program, once a week; supplementary options available
At this age, students typically have better focus and therefore learn more quickly. They tend to welcome more complicated sequences and challenges. In addition to their karate foundation, students will learn katas (pre-arranged forms) and two-person sets, as well as exercises and skill building which will prepare them for more advanced work. Promotions are earned with good attendance, hard work, dedication and skill development.
These classes will help students:
- Improve life skills like focus, discipline, teamwork and cooperation.
- Build their stamina and fitness level.
- Learn how to cooperate with other students while working as partners
- Observe and demonstrate respect for teachers, peers, parents, property and themselves.
- Become role models and set examples as newer students join the program.
Teen Karate, Age 13-17
Ongoing, once a week; supplementary options available
Karate is a great way to get in shape, physically and mentally and is also a wonderful way for teens to meet new friends outside of their school and social circles. Students will appreciate the technical aspects of their moves as they perform and improve katas through repetition. They will also learn many applications for their movements, and develop improved timing, accuracy and distancing as they work with various partners. This class incorporates sparring and drills with gear, until students develop a comfort level working with varied opponents. Promotions are earned with good attendance, hard work, dedication, skill development.
These classes will help students:
- Develop strength, coordination, speed, balance, stamina, and agility.
- Improve mental skills like focus and sequencing
- Understand the importance of humility and respect in developing character
- Build self-confidence through discipline, hard work, and dedication.
- Appreciate and respect the skills and learning styles of others
- Hone leadership skills through rank advancement.
Adult Karate, Age 18+
5-week program, once a week, supplementary classes available
In this program, adults train at a comfortable pace which works for their own bodies and skill level. Class begins with traditional Uechi Ryu warm-ups and exercises, including a variety of drills necessary for a karate foundation. Students learn “katas” (prearranged forms), two-person sets appropriate to their rank, explore techniques for self-defense purposes and will gradually gain a comfort level with sparring. Promotions are earned with good attendance, hard work, dedication and development of techniques.
These classes will help students:
- Learn new skills and sequences, which greatly helps with memory, focus and reaction times
- Through time and effort, advance in rank, which helps build confidence and pride.
- Learn their own capabilities and improve in their ability to tackle new challenges inside and outside of the dojo.
Private Lessons, available upon request or recommendation
INSTRUCTORS
Denise Laiosa, 7 Dan, Owner and Head Instructor
Denise Laiosa, 7 Dan, Owner and Head Instructor
Denise Laiosa, 7 Dan, Owner and Head Instructor
Denise Laiosa, owner of South Shore Karate LLC, and co-founder of South Shore Safety, has a 7th degree black belt in Shohei/Uechi Ryu under Jon Cierri and the late Jack Summers and has taught karate classes since 2000. She has competed in and won awards in Uechi Ryu and Tai Chi tournaments and was honored to be part of the 2004 Women’s F
Denise Laiosa, owner of South Shore Karate LLC, and co-founder of South Shore Safety, has a 7th degree black belt in Shohei/Uechi Ryu under Jon Cierri and the late Jack Summers and has taught karate classes since 2000. She has competed in and won awards in Uechi Ryu and Tai Chi tournaments and was honored to be part of the 2004 Women’s Friendship Tour. This was an unprecedented trip in which 26 women Uechi Ryu practitioners from around the world traveled to Okinawa for two weeks of intensive karate training.
Denise has taught self-defense classes in medical and corporate settings, schools, neighborhoods, recreation centers and shelters. Her volunteer work with homeless and victimized women has helped her realize just how important it is to proactively teach students about assertiveness and boundary setting when faced with the encounters of everyday living.
In addition to teaching karate classes for all ages, Denise teaches “Home Alone, Staying Safe” and child safety programs throughout the South Shore of Massachusetts. Denise is committed to continuing education in martial arts, child safety, self-defense and fitness related training in order to bring a range of skills to her students.
Jon Cierri, 10 Dan, Master Instructor
Denise Laiosa, 7 Dan, Owner and Head Instructor
Denise Laiosa, 7 Dan, Owner and Head Instructor
Jon Cierri is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a retired Boston Police Officer. He has been actively involved in the martial arts for over fifty years, beginning with Judo from 1958-1964 and then transitioning to his study of Uechi Ryu karate which he continues to this day.
A 10th degree Uechi Ryu black belt, Grand Master S
Jon Cierri is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a retired Boston Police Officer. He has been actively involved in the martial arts for over fifty years, beginning with Judo from 1958-1964 and then transitioning to his study of Uechi Ryu karate which he continues to this day.
A 10th degree Uechi Ryu black belt, Grand Master Sensei Jon has trained with many Okinawan Masters and has taught hundreds of students of all ages, feeling very blessed to watch the young and new students grow in their art.
Sensei Jon’s martial arts journey has been broad, from training in various systems, to teaching, to the tournament arena where he was a certified Karate Referee; he also was on the Board of Directors for the Karate Referees’ Association and ran the Massachusetts Open Karate Championships for ten years.
Sensei Jon takes self-defense very seriously and has taught all levels of protection, from the Boston Police Department Mobil Operations Patrol Unit to workplace violence for corporate personnel in various venues. For students within the community, he developed and implemented “Circles of Defense” for awareness and personal protection. He loves how the circular movements within the Uechi Ryu karate system translate into some simple and effective self-defense techniques. In addition to being the master instructor at South Shore Karate, Sensei Jon Cierri is currently a great–grandfather who continues to study Uechi Ryu karate and plans to do so for the rest of his life.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the opportunities available to you in our program, send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
South Shore Karate
Located in the Herring Brook Place 28 New Driftway Scituate MA 02066
