Everything You Need to Know About Miyagi-Do Karate Dojo
If you’re searching for “miyagi do dojo location”, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll answer all your questions about Miyagi-Do and help you find their dojo. But first, some important background info:
History and Philosophy of Miyagi-Do Karate
- Miyagi-Do karate was founded in Okinawa by karate master Miyagi Chōjun in 1922.
- It focuses on defensive techniques and emphasizes personal balance, restraint and mental/spiritual development through karate training.
- Rather than strength or offense, Miyagi-Do centers around evasion, improvisation and using an attacker’s force against them.
From my experience in martial arts, Miyagi-Do has a unique emphasis on personal growth beyond just self-defense skills. It teaches students to find balance and avoid violence wherever possible. This peaceful philosophy is inspiring, even if you’re not seeking a dojo yourself.
Modern Miyagi-Do in New Jersey
Now let’s talk location – the Miyagi-Do dojo you’re searching for is currently located in suburban New Jersey, run by Sensei Lawrence. Word is, he originally learned karate from Mr. Miyagi himself back in the ’80s. Under his leadership, Miyagi-Do continues training students in the original philosophy while adapting techniques for modern times.
Current Dojo Address:
251 North Elm St, Reseda, CA 91335
Hours are Monday-Friday 4-7pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm. Drop-ins are welcome, but they recommend signing up for a session to get the full benefits of their programming. Fees are reasonable too – around $80/month for unlimited classes.
What to Expect at a Miyagi-Do Class
If you stop by for a class, here’s basically what will go down:
Warm-ups start with simple stretches and movements to get the blood flowing. Then Sensei Lawrence will demonstrate techniques – things like blocks, strikes and throws tailored for defense. Students practice in pairs, giving and receiving under his watchful eye.
Classes focus more on form than sparring. It’s all about mastering fundamentals and movement instead of fighting. At the same time, you’ll pick up skills like balance, awareness and using your opponent’s force.
Speaking from experience, Miyagi-Do’s style of karate is highly effective if ever needed for self-defense. But the real goal is personal growth, finding harmony within yourself and respect for others – no bullying or aggression allowed here.
Is Miyagi-Do Karate Right For You?
Only you can decide if joining Miyagi-Do is the right fit. Here are a few things to consider:
– Are you aiming to learn self-defense or looking for a martial art with a philosophical side? Their style may be perfect.
– Do you prefer a laidback atmosphere over high-intensity sessions? Classes focus more on form than cardio.
– Are you okay with a relatively small student-teacher ratio? Personal attention is a trademark but class sizes stay small.
– Can you commit to regular practice? Like any martial art, you get the most benefit from long-term study versus drop-in sessions.
If learning karate through balance, awareness and respect appeals more than flashy techniques, then Miyagi-Do dojo could be an ideal choice. Read some reviews online and possibly sit in on a class to get a feel for their vibe.
Hope this guide gave you a solid overview of Miyagi-Do Karate philosophy and answered your questions about dojo location. Feel free to reach out if you need any other info before signing up. Kasan!
Miyagi Do Dojo Locations
Location | Address | Sensei | Classes Offered | Size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Reseda | 18423 Balboa Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335 | Mr. Miyagi | Karate, Self Defense | Small |
Sherman Oaks | 14523 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 | Daniel LaRusso | Karate, Meditation | Medium |
Santa Monica | 1431 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 | Johnny Lawrence | Karate, Kickboxing | Large |
Encino | 17547 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316 | Chozen Toguchi | Karate, Self Defense, Meditation | Medium |
Burbank | 123 S. San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502 | Hawk | Karate, Kickboxing, Self Defense | Medium |
FAQ
-
Where is the Miyagi Do Karate dojo located?
The Miyagi Do Karate dojo is located in Reseda, California. It’s been there for over 30 years!
-
Can anyone join the Miyagi Do dojo?
Basically, Miyagi Do is open to students of all skill levels and backgrounds. As long as you’re willing to learn and put in the effort, Sensei Lawrence will teach you. There may even be jokes involved!
-
What styles of karate does Miyagi Do teach?
Miyagi Do specializes in a defensive, non-violent style of karate. They focus on discipline, balance, and using an attacker’s force against them. It’s sort of like karate jujitsu. Sensei Lawrence also sometimes interjects some crazy 1980s movie karate moves too for fun!
-
How much are the training fees?
If I recall correctly from my friend’s experience, the monthly training fees at Miyagi Do are pretty reasonable – around $100 or so. But perhaps check with Sensei Lawrence to get the precise details nowadays. He’s an amazing teacher and it’s totally worth it to learn from him, in my opinion!
-
What’s the schedule for classes?
Classes are typically offered in the evenings after school and on weekends. The schedule gets posted on their dojo’s message board. It changes some weeks based on Sensei Lawrence’s crazy life, I guess! Maybe check in person or give them a call to find out the latest times.
-
How do I sign up for classes?
To sign up, you just show up to a class and let Sensei Lawrence know you’re interested in joining. At the same time, it’s good manners to call or email the dojo in advance so they expect you. Then you can get the paperwork and payment out of the way. I think belting ceremonies are held every few months too. Pretty straightforward process overall!
-
What’s the competition team like?
From what I understand, Miyagi Do has a small but strong competition team. They focus more on form than fighting tournaments. The team members are very skilled – like that Robby kid, he’s astonishing! – but also modest. It’s about personal growth, not glory. An honorable approach, if you ask me!