Gaffar Adams Karate Academy "The Official"

A true Martial Arts Instructor is not a high priced babysitter. We are not used car salesmen promising things that can’t be delivered. We are not here to give out rewards and compliments for no reason. A true Martial Arts Instructor puts his time and effort into making you reach goals you thought were impossible. Seeing potential you didn’t know existed. Forcing you to dig deep when you feel like giving up and giving you the tools to be better than you were when you took the walk through the doors. Martial Arts isn’t for everyone, but Martial Arts has something for everyone. If you want easy, look for something else, but if you want the challenge, take the journey...

For the past 5 years, I’ve taken a huge step back from teaching, partially for some life changes, but also because I wanted to see if I still had the passion for what I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to. I listen to a lot of my instructor friends complain about how students don’t want to work anymore, how parents try to dictate how classes should be run, and how dedication is just a thing of the past. Instead of letting these things consume my dojo, I decided to stop te...aching anyone who wasn’t a friend or long term student, and I refused to take any new students. About 4 years ago, two gentlemen entered the doors of my facility while I was there working out. They came separately and didn’t actually even know each other. I politely listened to both of them and explained that I wasn’t teaching publicly anymore. Well, for whatever reason, both of these guys kept stopping in every couple weeks and asking if I’d changed my mind and if I would train them. The answer was consistently no! To my surprise (or maybe aggravation), every time they saw my car there, they came in again and asked. This persisted for nearly a year. I finally decided I would let these guys hop into a class and I would work them so hard, they would just walk away and stop bugging me about it... Three years later, both of these guys are still here. Granted, they both had their ups and downs, quitting then coming back. Over time, I got to know both of them really well and realized that they both had hardships in their lives and believed that training with me would help them stay focused and find what they were missing in life... Those that know me well know that I don’t hand out compliments very often. But, both of these guys have really opened my eyes and enriched my life as an instructor. Ray Gustafson is almost 70 years old and religiously hits classes with me 3 days a week, very seldom missing. Charles Wofford has struggled through a lot of personal demons (as we all do) and has a new focus on life. I know it’s out of character for me, but I just wanted to take this time to compliment these two for their perseverance not only in class, but having the stubbornness to keep walking into the dojo until they broke me down!! I’m proud of both of you and I hope you keep finding what you you’re missing in life through Martial Arts...

With winter finally arriving in Western NY, we all had another fun night of family, friends and fights! Thanks to everyone for helping these guys train and prosper...see you all in April!

With our next club show coming up, I thought I would post few fun pictures from some of our previous events. My favorite one is Amin hopping up on the apron to corner his buddy Mitchell Barton in his last fight!

I hear a lot of people talk about their Karate Family, but I think, like many other things in society, as Instructors, we just throw that phrase out in normal conversation. Recently, I had the opportunity to have lunch with two of my very first students and now loyal black belts, but more importantly...family! As many of you know, I’ve been involved in Martial Arts for nearly my entire life. Around the awkward age of 14, I was asked to run a class (that at that time was mis...labeled the Senior Class) because the Dojo owner didn’t want theses 30 and over students slowing down the rest of the classes. Now, I grew up in a very authentic Asian household where we were always taught to look up to and respect our Elders, the prospect of telling older people what to do was very foreign to me. Reluctantly, I agreed, and what came was two of the best people, friendships, and family bonds I’ve ever had... When the class began, Sally Hutchison was one of my first students in the class, and Robert (RJ) Jaffy shortly there after. Both of them, well the whole class for that matter, always accepted me as their instructor despite being half their age and never made me feel awkward or out of place. I soon found that class to be one of the beat classes I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. I used to walk or ride my bike down to the Dojo after school to teach, and not finishing until after 9, RJ eventually started loading my bike up in the back of his Subaru wagon and giving me rides home so I didn’t have to go in the dark. Sally, after numerous trips to different tournaments, eventually became my original Karate Mom. Out of the original 10 students in that class, Sally and RJ were the only two that stayed consistent. Years later, when I ran away from home RJ gave me a place to live for 6 months while I found a place to live. He’s always been there for me, not just as a student, but as a great friend. Sally eventually became the first student I ever promoted to Black Belt, and RJ became my fifth. When we reflect on all the good and bad, ups and downs that life throws our way, it’s people like these that shape and mold who you are and where you go. When personality issues and my first serious injury led me to leaving the Dojo I was teaching at, Sally and RJ telling me they would only train with me eventually led me to opening up my first independent Dojo. Well, the rest is history... I’m proud to say that now nearing my 50’s, and nearly 40 years of teaching, that students like these two (along with some other great students I’m blessed to get together with every few months for laughs and reminisce) have fueled my love for the life and the Arts. When we look at all the things/people we have met along the way, it’s students like these, with their shared love and loyalty, that are truly...FAMILY!

Have you ever wanted to see a live kickboxing event? Come down to 116 Harrison St tonight and see some amateur martial arts action, there will be everything from beginners to seasoned fighters stepping in the ring to showcase thier skills. First bell at 6:30pm, tickets can be purchased at the door for 15 dollars. Come on down!!

Happy New Year! We are taking new students for the month of January. Group and private lessons are available. Send a Facebook message or email [email protected] to make an appointment. Enrollment is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

We apologize for the late notice, but classes this Friday are cancelled for Halloween! Have a safe and spooky night! Please spread the word. :)

Well, after 25 years with the same number, we are finally eliminating our never used landline. I'm sure it's going to be tough changing the "print" on everything, but we are no longer using the (716) 487-2392 number. You can now call/text (716) 499-1211

And so it begins...

NOTICE: We are closed for Memorial Day, Monday the 26th, so there will be no classes. Have a great holiday, and please pass on this notice! :)

A true Martial Arts Instructor is not a high priced babysitter. We are not used car salesmen promising things that can’t be delivered. We are not here to give out rewards and compliments for no reason. A true Martial Arts Instructor puts his time and effort into making you reach goals you thought were impossible. Seeing potential you didn’t know existed. Forcing you to dig deep when you feel like giving up and giving you the tools to be better than you were when you took the walk through the doors. Martial Arts isn’t for everyone, but Martial Arts has something for everyone. If you want easy, look for something else, but if you want the challenge, take the journey...

For the past 5 years, I’ve taken a huge step back from teaching, partially for some life changes, but also because I wanted to see if I still had the passion for what I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to. I listen to a lot of my instructor friends complain about how students don’t want to work anymore, how parents try to dictate how classes should be run, and how dedication is just a thing of the past. Instead of letting these things consume my dojo, I decided to stop te...aching anyone who wasn’t a friend or long term student, and I refused to take any new students. About 4 years ago, two gentlemen entered the doors of my facility while I was there working out. They came separately and didn’t actually even know each other. I politely listened to both of them and explained that I wasn’t teaching publicly anymore. Well, for whatever reason, both of these guys kept stopping in every couple weeks and asking if I’d changed my mind and if I would train them. The answer was consistently no! To my surprise (or maybe aggravation), every time they saw my car there, they came in again and asked. This persisted for nearly a year. I finally decided I would let these guys hop into a class and I would work them so hard, they would just walk away and stop bugging me about it... Three years later, both of these guys are still here. Granted, they both had their ups and downs, quitting then coming back. Over time, I got to know both of them really well and realized that they both had hardships in their lives and believed that training with me would help them stay focused and find what they were missing in life... Those that know me well know that I don’t hand out compliments very often. But, both of these guys have really opened my eyes and enriched my life as an instructor. Ray Gustafson is almost 70 years old and religiously hits classes with me 3 days a week, very seldom missing. Charles Wofford has struggled through a lot of personal demons (as we all do) and has a new focus on life. I know it’s out of character for me, but I just wanted to take this time to compliment these two for their perseverance not only in class, but having the stubbornness to keep walking into the dojo until they broke me down!! I’m proud of both of you and I hope you keep finding what you you’re missing in life through Martial Arts...

With winter finally arriving in Western NY, we all had another fun night of family, friends and fights! Thanks to everyone for helping these guys train and prosper...see you all in April!

With our next club show coming up, I thought I would post few fun pictures from some of our previous events. My favorite one is Amin hopping up on the apron to corner his buddy Mitchell Barton in his last fight!

I hear a lot of people talk about their Karate Family, but I think, like many other things in society, as Instructors, we just throw that phrase out in normal conversation. Recently, I had the opportunity to have lunch with two of my very first students and now loyal black belts, but more importantly...family! As many of you know, I’ve been involved in Martial Arts for nearly my entire life. Around the awkward age of 14, I was asked to run a class (that at that time was mis...labeled the Senior Class) because the Dojo owner didn’t want theses 30 and over students slowing down the rest of the classes. Now, I grew up in a very authentic Asian household where we were always taught to look up to and respect our Elders, the prospect of telling older people what to do was very foreign to me. Reluctantly, I agreed, and what came was two of the best people, friendships, and family bonds I’ve ever had... When the class began, Sally Hutchison was one of my first students in the class, and Robert (RJ) Jaffy shortly there after. Both of them, well the whole class for that matter, always accepted me as their instructor despite being half their age and never made me feel awkward or out of place. I soon found that class to be one of the beat classes I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. I used to walk or ride my bike down to the Dojo after school to teach, and not finishing until after 9, RJ eventually started loading my bike up in the back of his Subaru wagon and giving me rides home so I didn’t have to go in the dark. Sally, after numerous trips to different tournaments, eventually became my original Karate Mom. Out of the original 10 students in that class, Sally and RJ were the only two that stayed consistent. Years later, when I ran away from home RJ gave me a place to live for 6 months while I found a place to live. He’s always been there for me, not just as a student, but as a great friend. Sally eventually became the first student I ever promoted to Black Belt, and RJ became my fifth. When we reflect on all the good and bad, ups and downs that life throws our way, it’s people like these that shape and mold who you are and where you go. When personality issues and my first serious injury led me to leaving the Dojo I was teaching at, Sally and RJ telling me they would only train with me eventually led me to opening up my first independent Dojo. Well, the rest is history... I’m proud to say that now nearing my 50’s, and nearly 40 years of teaching, that students like these two (along with some other great students I’m blessed to get together with every few months for laughs and reminisce) have fueled my love for the life and the Arts. When we look at all the things/people we have met along the way, it’s students like these, with their shared love and loyalty, that are truly...FAMILY!