Sensei Roger St. Pierre

Sensei St. Pierre started in his studies of martial arts in 1973 when he began studying the Okinawian style of karate called Shorin Ryu. Kobujutsu (traditional Okinawian weapons) was a requirement for this style of karate. He then obtained his first degree black belt (Shodan) in Shorin Ryu 1977.

In 1984 Sensei St. Pierre took on another style of karate that has since become his lifetime study, Shotokan (Japanese style of karate) and becoming a member of the Japanese Karate Association (JKA). In 1990 Sensei then moved to California and was introduced to the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association. He became a student of Sensei Leonard Lafferty, currently a 7th Dan Black Belt. Sensei Lafferty then prepared Sensei St. Pierre for his Shodan (1st degree black belt) and Nidan (second degree black belt) under Master Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi, 9th degree black belt (A direct descendent of the founding Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi). Once Sensei had achieved his Nidan he then became a direct student of Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi and obtained his 3rd (Sandan) and 4th (Yondan) degree black belts.

Sensei then moved back home to Rhode Island in May of 1999 and
quickly set out to establish the first FSKA affiliated dojo in New England.
The New England Shotokan Karate-Do dojo was established in July 1999.
Sensei is assisted in the dojo by his children, Sempai Karen Silva (Sandan,
3rd degree black belt), Sempai Marc St. Pierre (Sandan, 3rd degree black
belt) and Sempai Cheryl Carrier (Sandan, 3rd degree black belt). Sensei is
further assisted by Sempai Antonio Melo (4th degree black belt).

The following is a letter written by one of Sensei's students about their experience in Shotokan.

When I was in college I had a few professors who just had a knack to make me understand what they were teaching and want to do well in their class. They made me want to go to class, do all of the homework and all the other stuff that came along with it. They made me love the subject and always kept me interested in what was being taught. I always thought it was important to tell them how much of an impact that they had on me and on my interest in the subjects that they were teaching. I think it is important to tell people that you appreciate what they have done for you and how it has impacted your life, especially when it is positive. Everyone deserves a pat on the back, don’t they?

With that said, I just wanted you to know that you have had that kind of impact on my life with karate. Getting my 2nd degree has made me think about where I am and where I started in your class. I started out as this shy, uncoordinated person, who definitely did not think that she could do anything physical, let alone something like karate, and was just doing it to because my friend asked me to go with her. After the first few months of classes, however, something about the classes and the way you kept pushing me to just keep with it, made me want to go to class and to practice and to just stick with it. It hasn’t been easy, (as I have had to work my butt off over the past 4 years) but working towards the goal of my 1st degree and then my 2nd degree, I have been able to gain so many things both mentally and physically. I have become so much more self confident and have much more self esteem than when I first started 4 years ago. I am in much better shape than I would be if I just sat on the couch every night after work. I attribute all of this to the way you have taught me and the way you have pushed me to do things that I never in a million years thought that I could do, like coming in 2nd place in fighting in a tournament or performing all of my katas alone for my 2nd degree in front of a decent group of people. You have helped me grow as a person and have helped me open doors within that probably would have stayed closed had I not taken karate.

So I think of it this way…….you may not have the busiest school, or be the best business person, but with your love and knowledge of karate, your patience, and the extraordinary way that you teach each of your students, you have been able to give/teach me things, both mental and physical, that I will be able to use and keep with me for my entire lifetime. In my mind that is what constitutes a master, a professor or whatever you want to call it. To me you are that person and I just wanted to say thanks for everything.

Our Instructors

At the New England Shotokan Karate-Do we teach in the traditional Japanese Karate methods.

We emphasis the three basic building blocks of:

BASICS (Kihon): Blocks, Punches, Kicks and Stances. This is called Kihon.

FORMS (Kata): Pre-arranged fighting sinarios. This is called Kata

FIGHTING TECHNIQUES (Kumite): 5, 3, 1 step fighting, 1 step free style, and free style fighting. This is called Kumite.

and most important!

THE BUILDING OF THE KARATE-KA: Fullfilling the Dojo kun. This is all too often forgotten in the modern American martial arts teaching but Karate-Do is a way of life and a building of a stronger and better person, not a violent person who does not care about their fellow human beings. We do not teach violence, but instead to respect and care for your fellow man. Karate is a life long path to self discovery and teaches control of emotions, discipline, focus, commitment, hard work, patience and inner peace. Karate is much more than simply a martial art (learning how to fight) but as the Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi taught, karate is a way of life. This is where the Do comes from in Karate-Do. It is to help build not only a physically stronger person but to build a stronger spirit that is at peace with its surroundings. The Master practice Shotokan karate into his late 80's on a daily basis. So it is well suited to youngster, women, men and seniors. Karate is moving meditation as well as training your body in a martial art.

The Grand Master, Gichin Funakoshi always taught his students that a true Karate-Ka trained to not fight! A true Karate-ka is a peaceful and a
respectful person, but if need be can defend themselves in a extremely
effective manner. In the dojo we practice the traditional discipline and
respect of the higher ranks and of each other.