UMA Defined

What is UMA?

Unbridled Martial Arts fills a void in the martial arts community of Bellingham & Whatcom County. It provides a solid, sensible, broad based foundation in martial training that is easily accessible to the everyday student.

“Why call your school Unbridled Martial Arts? Does that have some violent connotation? I thought Martial Artists were supposed to be reserved. Why apply a word like `Unbridled’ to it?”

Well, the name is not a description for some WILD form of “unrestrained” fighting. It accurately describes UMA’s attitude and approach to training: that nothing should hold you back. There are no imposed boundaries to our study of the arts. You are free from restrictions. The only one that will hold you back from excelling in your martial studies will be yourself.

Why is UMA a non-commercial school?

While many Martial Arts schools in general have to cater to the commercial needs of sustaining a full-time school, Unbridled Martial Arts, by design has little overhead. This allows its program to wholeheartedly focus its energy on teaching and training.

We do not have to conduct promotions in order to generate revenue. We do not have to devote classtime to un-interested teens and children whose parents enroll them and they may not really want to be there. We do not require the purchase of specialized uniforms. Nor do we obligate students to compete in tournaments or require students to enroll in the added expense of attending seminars.

While many commercial schools that practice close-contact martial arts either waive or ignore the necessity of covid vaccinations, UMA is vocally vaccination-friendly, and for the health and safety of our clients, students, staff and training environment we require that all participants are up-to-date on their seasonal shots and boosters. You can train confidently knowing every training partner and every instructor working in your proximity has your health and safety in highest regard and each person has taken the actionable steps to ensure that is true.

Unbridled Martial Arts is a professionally organized school founded on the desire to expose and educate people from all walks of life to the benefits and applicability of martial arts. We accommodate the serious-minded martial artists as well as the recreational martial artist.

What style of Martial Arts does UMA teach?

UMA is not governed by any affiliation or style. Frankly, martial art systems have a great deal of boundaries, barriers, restrictions, and traditions that are sometimes unnecessary and often serve to complicate the learning process. UMA likes to keep it simple. While respecting the value of all kinds of martial systems, we are not “married” to one single way. If something works, use it. If it doesn’t, don’t waste time with it. Thereby, nothing needs to be rigid. We are not frozen in time. Innovation is not frowned upon, it is invited. If a new training aid or concept comes about that may not have historical ties to martial arts, we do not let the opportunity to learn from it pass us by. If it helps, we take it. If it hinders, we sidestep it.


Learn more about UMA:

Instructor Facility Program Common Questions Enrollment

Stay far from timid. Only make moves when your heart’s in it. And live the phrase: Sky’s The Limit.

Christopher Wallace
Testimonial

I’ve found martial arts training to be a fantastic way to relieve the stresses of modern life and a great way to keep in shape while pursuing the obvious goal of learning a self defense discipline. Whether you can only go once in awhile, or several times per week, I can’t say enough good about the training. I always leave feeling refreshed and energetic and that helps me to tackle a hectic schedule. Also, I’ve been plagued with back troubles for most of my adult life and the workouts and stretching do wonders for keeping my back in order. I’ve known Rob for about 7 years and met him when I first began my martial arts journey. Rob was a lead instructor at a local martial arts school, where I trained previously, before beginning his own school. I’ve trained with him in several different martial arts disciplines and I know Rob to be very dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced in the various training methods. In addition to being a skilled trainer and teacher, he has a wealth of knowledge and a great proficiency in the martial arts. In addition to his qualifications I know him to be very patient and caring with his new trainee’s, as well as an all around great guy!! Whether you’re an experienced practitioner, or have no experience and a desire to try out martial arts, you couldn’t ask for a better teacher and I encourage you to go for it!

~ Paul Murphy, Patrol Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office

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