ABOUT BAS-I
BAS - I Kyokushin Multicultural Karate was founded on these fundamental principles: Loyalty, Respect, Courage, Perfection, Practice, Perseverance & Control.. It is a strict, traditional Japanese style of karate. The physical training is strenuous- emphasizing progressive development of strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity.
The students and the quality of instruction are paramount. We try to distill in our students the essence of what we, as instructors, have learned about the martial arts over years of study, practice and teaching. Our goals are to build strong bodies, which contributes to health and a general sense of self-confidence and well-being.
In addition to developing our students with the highest level of physical skills, we also aim to develop individuals of the highest moral character -individuals who can then make significant contributions to a better life in the family, in the workplace and in society at large.
OUR HISTORY
MASUTATSU OYAMA
The history of New World Karate goes back to the founder of Kyokushin Kaikan Karate, Masutatsu Oyama. Masutatsu Oyama, at the age of nine-- approximately 1932, first learned the martial arts by studying the Southern Kempo form -known as "eighteen hands." In approximately 1938 Masutatsu Oyama interest led him to practicing Okinawan Karate. Through dedication, by the age of 20 he had obtained his Fourth Dan. 
After the Second World War, Masutatsu Oyama trained with So Nei Chu, a Korean Master of Gojun Ryu Karate. He is great teacher renowned for the power of his body, and deep spiritual inclination, had a profound influence on Masutatsu Oyama.
Masutatsu Oyama opened his first "Dojo" in 1953 in Tokyo. This is when "Tadashi Nakamura" met Masutatsu Oyama and he started training at his Dojo. Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura trained hard with great results. While he was still in pre school, Masutatsu Oyama asked him to teach Karate to American soldiers at the American Base Camp at Zama. He accepted, and through observation and understanding his students needs and desires, came to several realizations. Through his keen observations he was able to bring several situations to Masutatsu Oyama's attention, which increased the school's enrollment and improved moral. An example is the current six-scale system we now have of White, Blue, Yellow, Green, Brown and Black Belts. The original system was a three-scale system of White, Brown and Black.
With continued growth of the school, Masutatsu Oyama decided to spread the Kyokushinkai system to the United States. He chose Tadashi Nakamura for this task, and in 1966 Masutatsu Oyama sent him to New York. Tadashi Nakamura's mission was to open a dojo in the city of New York and to spread the Kyokushinkai system throughout North America. Tadashi Nakamura was well suited for the challenge. He was a celebrity in Japan, having knocked out the Thai Kickboxing Champion the year before in a match to reclaim the honor of Japanese karate. A master technician and fearsome fighter, Tadashi Nakamura was Masutatsu Oyama's top student, an instructor at the Tokyo Headquarters and the heir apparent to the Kyokushinkai empire. In New York, without friends or acquaintance, and with little knowledge of English, Tadashi Nakamura set about building one of New York's most prestigious and respected dojos, and succeeded. Here is when he met Hanshi Newton James, BAS-I New World Karate founder.
His innovative teaching methods offer a step by step program to strengthen the mind, body and spirit -a unique approach that makes Karate available to men and women of all ages -the weak as well as the strong.
HANSHI NEWTON JAMES
Hanshi Newton James began his martial arts career in 1968 in Kyokushinkai karate at the YMCA in Jamaica, being one of the first karate practitioners in the country. Over the next few years, he represented Jamaica and the Kyokushinkai style all over the world. Most notably, he lead the Jamaica full-contact fighting team in 1976 at the first World Tournament in Japan. Later, in 1976, he was invited by Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, Grandmaster of Seido Karate, to teach karate in New York City. He accepted the offer, and moved from Jamaica to New York City, where he lived and worked for several years. At this time, Hanshi James was able to train with some of the best martial artists in the world: most notably, the great Shihan William Oliver and Claude Battle. During his tenure with Seido in New York City, Hanshi James began the children's karate program at the Vanderbilt YMCA, growing the program from 2 children to over 250 students within 2-1/2 years. He also taught at the Big Apple Children's Program, the Montessori School, at PS59, and at York Avenue Elementary School.
Hanshi James moved to Miami, Florida, in 1990, and taught and ran his my own branch for Seido karate for many years. However, in the year 2000, he decided to utilize his vast experience in the various fighting arts, and to expand his teachings. Recognizing the need to have martial arts teaching more applicable to the realities of the street, he now includes grappling and pressure point tactics, as well as police tactics in his training. He has trained under great masters such as Nelson Ricardo in Ju Jitsu, Kid Buff in Aikido, and Tony Perez in Grappling.
In April 2008, Hanshi James was recognized for his involvement and excellence in the martial arts, and was inducted into The World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of masters such as Grandmaster Fumio Demura. He was also formally recognized by the Jamaican Ambassador for his leadership in the martial arts and to the Jamaican community.
Hanshi James currently resides in Miami, Florida, where he has a full-time dojo and after-school program, as well as works with the State of Florida, running specialized programs for at-risk youths. Most notable of these programs, he conducts classes at the First Offenders Girls' Power Facility, for first non-violent offenders ages 9-14, in downtown Miami. In addition, several times a year, he speaks at seminars for at-risk youths, and conduct self-defense and police tactics courses for public and private individuals.
Hanshi James has also appeared in many magazines and commercials over the years: some with the late Shihan William Oliver, his friend and brother. In addition, he worked on the movie sets of Countryman and The Rebel.
All these personal and teaching experiences provide Hanshi James with a broad knowledge base and unique ability to reach people from all walks of life. He feels a great sense of accomplishment as so many children and adults have been able to experience positive changes in their lives through the discipline and respect they have learned. Many still keep in touch with him, and have gone on to be successful professionals, technicians, and responsible citizens.
