About Boston Seirenkai
Boston Seirenkai is a traditional Japanese self‑defense academy for adults, focused on practical skills, safety, and steady personal growth in a respectful, non‑competitive environment.
History of Boston Seirenkai
The Boston Seirenkai Self‑Defense Academy was founded in 2018 by Sensei Adam Greenberg and Sensei Victoria Symkus. Originally located in Allston, the dojo later moved to Roxbury, where it now serves the local community as well as students from nearby universities and colleges.
The dojo was rebranded as the Boston Seirenkai Academy when Sensei Greenberg graduated and stopped commuting to UMass Amherst and opened a new dojo in Allston. The UMass dojo was open from 2010-2017. It was there that Sensei Symkus began her martial arts journey in 2012.
Since 2018, the Boston dojo has remained active in the community throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic and continues to deliver effective self-defense to the community of Boston.
Who We Are
Boston Seirenkai offers traditional Japanese self‑defense karate for mature teenagers and adults, age 13 and up. Our dojo is a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and levels of physical fitness. Everyone has the right to defend themselves, and we believe that effective self‑defense training should be accessible to all.
Our primary concern is the safety of all those who walk through our door. We emphasize safe practices for physical activity and work to promote a safe inner mind and emotional state. Members try to follow the Code of the Samurai, Code of Bushido, in and out of the dojo. The 7 codes of Bushido are:
Honor
Living with integrity means aligning your actions with your highest values.
Justice
Justice calls for fairness and moral clarity in every decision.
Veracity
Veracity is the unwavering commitment to honesty in word and deed.
Courage
Courage is the strength to act rightly despite fear or difficulty.
Loyalty
Loyalty binds the warrior to their teachers, family, and principles.
Benevolence
Benevolence is compassion expressed through kindness and protection of the weak.
Politeness
Politeness reflects respect for others and harmony in all interactions.
How We Train
Our primary concern is the safety of everyone who walks through our door. We emphasize safe practices for physical activity and work to promote a calm, focused inner state. Members strive to follow the Code of Bushido both in and out of the dojo.
Our techniques are designed for real‑world self‑defense. We do not participate in competitive sparring or tournaments. Instead, we focus on practical skills, appropriate responses, and strategies that help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
Physical fitness augments techniques and we aim to improve our mobility, flexibility and strength each day; however it is not a pre-requisite and will not hold anyone back. Everyone has the ability to learn and we will help everyone achieve the heights they desire.
Our Approach
Seirenkai emphasizes whole‑body dynamics to maximize power, efficiency, and effectiveness. Through consistent practice, students develop confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of how to protect themselves responsibly and respectfully.
Classes include any combination of:
Karate basics such as punches, strikes, blocks, and kicks.
Forms or prearranged self-defense sequences.
Study of the self-defense in various kata.
Prearranged or free sparing (both single or multiple attackers).
Building a toolbox of techniques against incoming strikes, kicks, grabs, surprise attacks, attacks on the ground or confined spaces while focusing on appropriate response.
Use of traditional weapons such as Bo, Jo, Sai, Tonfa and knife.
Disarming of Modern Weapons