Karate classes in Los Angeles

We offer martial arts programs for both juniors and adults. Our karate programs are goal intended and focus on both the mental and physical side of martial arts. Our martial arts program is a self-improvement course with a black belt attached. Workouts are fun while you learn to defend yourself in everyday situations.

Instructors:

• Mark Cox (7th Degree Black Belt) — Mr. Cox is the owner of America's Best Chatsworth Karate school. He has a 7th degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do and holds a Black Belt in Hap Ki Do. He is a expert certified Krav Maga instructor and a former LAPD Reserve Officer;
• Nathan Carlen (6th Degree Black Belt) — He is our head instructor here at Chatsworth Karate. He has reached the rank of 6th Dan Master in American Tang Soo So and is also a certified Krav Maga instructor and black belt;
• John Martinez (4th Dan) — He has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them;
• Michael Cox (4th Dan);
• Alex Bondarenko (4th Dan) — Alex Bondarenko has been training at Chatsworth Karate since 2001. As a young boy he always wanted to do karate and finally got the opportunity to do so when he moved to the United States from the Ukraine with his family. Alex teaches classes on a regular basis;
• Kenny Broderick (3rd Degree Black Belt) — Mr. Broderick has been involved with the Martial Arts (Tang Soo Do ) since the early 80's. He is now a 3rd Degree Black Belt here at Chatsworth Karate and the Little Dragons Director;
• Kathy Villar (Instructor) — Kathy is a Black Belt instructor in Tang Soo Do. She is a mother of two boys who both train in our karate program, Kendrick who is 11 years old and holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do and Nickey who is 8 years old and holds a 1st Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do. Kathy has also been involved with Krav Maga for the past 5 years and holds a Blue Belt, her technique and dedication to Krav Maga is second to none.

Classes at the Hollywood Dojo are taught by a staff of trained and dedicated Black Belt instructors supervised by Los Angeles Branch Chief Jun Shihan John Greene. All of the instructors are volunteers with outside professional careers, and almost all black belts have been training with Jun Shihan John for over 10 years.

Head Instructors:

• Jun Shihan John Greene​ — Branch Chief, 6th Degree Black Belt;
• Jun Shihan Veronica Greene​ — Branch Manager, 6th Degree Black Belt.

Instructors:

• Kyoshi Rob Elk — Senior Instructor, 5th Degree Black Belt;

• Sensei Tomonori Ueno — Senior Instructor, 4th Degree Black Belt;

• JJ Kawan — 2nd Degree Black Belt;

• Jeff Fontelera — Instructor, 2nd Degree Black Belt;

• Nikki Green —Instructor, 1st Degree Black Belt.

A typical class at a Seido dojo consists of the following: stretching and warm-ups followed by review of basic techniques such as striking, kicking and blocking. This is followed by Kata (formal exercise) and self-defense techniques. Sparring, or Kumite, is practiced by more advanced students after they develop control and become comfortable with their technique. The beginner is encouraged to progress at their own pace with no pressure of competition. The competition is not with others, but within yourself. It doesn’t matter whether you are out of shape or in excellent condition, every Seido student progresses at their own chosen rate.

Our Instructors:

• Renshi Robert Torres — Master Instructor, 6th Degree Black Belt;
• Sempai Johnny Beano — 2nd Degree Black Belt;
• Mr. Ricardo — 1st Degree Black Belt;

• Mr. Miles — 1st Degree Black Belt..

What We Teach:

• Little Ninjas (Ages 4 - 6);

• Kids Karate (Ages 7 - 10);

• Adult Karate (Ages 12+).

Learn Self Defense while getting a Total Body workout adaptable to any age.

At our training facility we offer the most effective martial arts, self defense and fitness training for men and women of all ages.

Classes:

• Kids Beginners: White, Orange, Top Orange, Blue & Top Blue Belts;
• Kids Intermediate & Advanced: Above Yellow Belt and may practice in Kids Beginners Class;
• Adult Class: Age 13 & older;
• In individual cases: Group placement exceptions will be made by the instructor;
• Beginner Students (Orange Belt only): Who want to enter the tournaments are encouraged to join Fighters Class.

We are dedicated to teaching traditional Japanese style Shotokan Karate-Do.

Instructors:

• Alan Weil, 6th Dan;
• Stephen (Steve) K Young, 6th Dan;
• Maurice (Mak) A King, 4th Dan;
• David Heldman, 4th Dan.

Maryknoll Shotokan Karate Club as one of Shotokan Karate of America dojos conducts regional special practices known as “Special Trainings” twice a year, usually in the winter and summer. Many students agree that Special Trainings are the most demanding and strenuous mental and physical experiences of their lives.

The Beverly Hills Karate Academy teaches traditional Japanese Shotokan karate, cane fighting and andtraditional martial arts weaponry (students who reach at least a brown belt in karate have the option to study a martial arts weapon such as the Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Katana and the Bo).

Our school of karate is called Shotokan (JKA style). We proudly continue Sensei Nishiyama's traditional Karate teachings.

Sensei Avi Rokah — 7th Dan. 1994 World Champion, Five Time US Champion, US National Team. Head Coach, Personal student of Master Nishiyama for 27 years.

Sensei Rokah  continues the legacy of Grand Master Nishiyama, combining the traditions of Japanese Karate and Kendo, with the modern sciences of physiology and kinesiology. This fusion of modern and traditional techniques, creates a one of a kind experience that is studied by kids, adults, and top Karate practitioners worldwide.
Students range in ages from 4 to 75, with classes divided by skill level and age.

What We Teach:

• Youth clases;
• Adult classes.

The instructor, Greg Rubinson, is a 3rd Dan (3rd-degree black belt) in Wado-Ryu Karate under Sensei M. Shiomitsu (9th Dan, Hanshi, Chief Instructor of the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy) and Sensei Tyrone Pardue (5th Dan, Chief Instructor of the American Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy). He has been practicing Wado-Ryu for over 20 years. His day-job is as a lecturer at UCLA, where he teaches writing and literature.

Gradings for new belts are held approximately two times per year. As a student goes up the ranks, so does the difficulty of the tests. Testing for a belt is an important part of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do as it provides a goal for students to reach, but it is important not to rush into taking a grading if a student is not ready.

At Westchester Wado-Ryu Karate, there are junior grades (for ages 6-11) and senior grades (for ages 12 and up). The junior grades wear colored belts with stripesm while senior grades wear solid colored belts. All senior grades are higher ranks than junior grades.

Instructors:

• Jennifer Campoy —  "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Ni (2) dan;
• Toshiki Komatsu —  "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Ni (2) dan;
• Masahiro Nakao — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Shohei Yamamoto — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Atsuko Hirayanagi — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Mikio Tomioka — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Masashi Odate — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Keisuke Gomi — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Takuro Sato — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Nori Hasegawa — "Kuro Obi" (Black Belt) Sho (1) dan;
• Larry William — 1 kyu.

United Kenpo Systems™, our organization is based upon respect for the scientific, written work of Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker. The Art of Kenpo Karate is a Living Art. It lives through its schools, instructors and students. The principles inherent in the techniques, forms and sets are prescribed in a specific manner for both physical and mental progress.

Bryan Hawkins has developed a unique and highly successful method of training children. This involves the Kenpo Karate curriculum for children, the Kenpo Cubs program, two summer camp programs, youth tournaments and an annual “board breaking day”. He has built a general youth curriculum designed to challenge, stimulate and engage young people as they progress in their study of Kenpo Karate. With five children of his own Mr. Hawkins is very sensitive to the wide variety of education and motivational tools needed to teach martial arts to children.

Age divisions:

• Cubs:  Ages 4-5;
• Tigers:  Ages 6 - 8;
• Juniors:  Ages 9 - 12;
• Adults:  Ages 13 and up.

Certified Instructors:

• Lori Edwards — Ms. Edwards has worked with children ages 5-13 in afterschool programs, at summer camps, and in the elementary school setting, teaching everything from science and writing to art and dance since 2003. As a program coordinator for the Institute of Educational Advancement, Ms. Edwards developed programs and workshops for highly gifted children;
• Deanna Roseen — As a professional stunt woman, she has years of training in both unarmed and armed fighting, gymnastics, parkour, and wire work. Besides her continuous training in Karate, she has also trained in Krav Maga, Aikido, Kung Fu, and Systema. She is a recognized Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society Of American Fight Directors as well as a member of the International Stuntman’s Association;
• Jessica Reed — Ms. Reed has trained in martial arts since she was a small child, starting in Kuk Sool Won and Tae Kwon Do, picking up her training again (after years of playing team sports) in high school studying Yang style T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Qigong, and boxing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre Arts, and a Certificate in the Conceptual Foundations of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. She also holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts);
• Cynthia San Luis — A fitness enthusiast, Cynthia San Luis is also a certified ballet-barre and bootcamp instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and is excited to be a part of the Pacific Martial Arts team.

Our Classes:

• 11 year olds & up – Shogun;
• 6 to 10 year olds – Ninjas/Samurai;
• 6 to 7 year olds – Ninjas;
• 3 1/2 to 5 year olds – Mini Ninjas;
• 2 1/2 to 4 year olds — Mini Ninjas Parent & Me;
• Red & Brown Belts;
• Family Karate/Yoga.

Training Methodology

For individuals unfamiliar with traditional karate activities please be prepared to be engaged in the following activities when you become a member of the dojo.

• martial arts forms (katas);
• pre-arranged sparring;
• free sparring;
• self-defense scenarios;
• drills;
• iron body conditioning.

Classes:

• Adult Classes: (Ages 13 yrs & over);
• Kids' Classes: (Ages 6 yrs to 12 yrs);
• Tiger Tots' Classes: (Ages 5 yrs & under) — The classes are 30 minutes long.

Instructors:

• Kerry Ikehara — He is a 4th degree black belt in traditional Japanese karate. He has been a student of Grandmaster Tenzan Hirakawa (Kancho) of Tenshin-kai, Tenshin-ryu for over 25 years. In 1990, he received his black belt and was promoted to head instructor, certified to teach karate and taichi. Kerry has also studied hapkido, judo, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, and kung fu. Presently, Kerry’s title is, “Branch Chief” (Shibucho). He teaches karate at Tenshin-kai Headquarters in Westchester, the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle in West Los Angeles, and Gardena Dance Studio in the South Bay area;
• Theo Camacho — He is Shinsei-Dojo’s Chief Instructor under Kerry Ikehara. He has over 9 years of martial arts experience and has been teaching kids and adult karate at Shinsei-Dojo for almost 2 years now. He is currently a full-time student at Cal State University Dominguez Hills as a Business Administration undergrad with an emphasis on Accounting.

The classes emphasize quality training in:

• kihon (basics);
• kata (forms);
• kumite (controlled sparring).

Groups:

• Kids (ages 5-11 years);
• Adults (ages 12 and up).

We specialize in training kids from ages 3 and up. Adults are welcome as well. Our studio is designed specifically to train karate and other martial arts. Our students are local and international competitors. These classes will not only make you stronger, and faster, but will also teach our students terminology in Japanese. 

We offer 45 minute private lessons for kids with our instructor Renshi Akemi.

Renshi Akemi Mayeda began training with Grandmaster Tenzan Hirakawa of Tenshin-kai Taichi and Karate in 1990.  She has a 4th degree black belt in karate.  Her Axl Dojo Taichi branch was formed in 2004.

Richard Mesquita Martial specializes in Kenpo, a study of multiple martial arts, including karate and Chinese martial arts styles.