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Labor Day Holiday 2025

Goju Karate will be closed throughout the Labor Day weekend as the Summer comes to an end. Time to get ready for an exciting Autumn!

Blackbelt Selection: Adults and Teens Kata

The dojo is open only to Blackbelts on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, in support of the third event of Blackbelt Selection for Adults and the second event of Shonen Blackbelt Selection for Teens.

Gasshuku 2025

Gasshuku is the dojo's traditional summer break and occurs in August of every year. Most dojo around the world take this short break to prepare for the busy Autumn schedule.

August 2025 Rank Testing

The August 2025 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, August 16th. This event is for Adults only, of All Kyu ranks up to 2nd Kyu.

Blackbelt Testing TWO: Adult Kihon 2025

The dojo is open ONLY to Blackbelts on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in support of the second event of Blackbelt Selection. All other classes are canceled on this day.

Sokutei Zoka — Measure Increase 測定増加 (Edition 2025)

One of the surest methods to increase something is to measure it. Metrics gives us control and empowers us to do better.

Independence Day Holiday 2025

The dojo will be closed in celebration of the July 4th Independence Day holiday beginning on Friday, July 4th, 2025. Classes will resume on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

June 2025 Rank Testing

The June 2025 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, June 28th. All Kyu ranks (both adults and kids) will be testing. This event will also include students from the Blackbelt Selection Group for 2025, including both adults and teens.

The Summer Dojo 2025

Summer 2025 has started. These are some handy notes on upcoming events, reminders, and class schedules during the Summer, and more.

Memorial Day Holiday 2025

The dojo will be closed in celebration of the Memorial Day holiday beginning on Friday, May 23rd. Regularly-scheduled classes resume on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Ikioi — Momentum 勢い [Edition 2025]

Momentum is an incredible force that can propel you forward inexorably. Seize and maintain momentum, always.

Blackbelt Selection 2025

Blackbelt Testing is an annual event that lasts several months and culminates in Blackbelt Week in the Fall. The key dates for Selection in 2025 have been announced.

Golden Week 2025: Dojo Spring Break

This year, the Dojo Spring Break runs from Friday, May 2nd to Friday, May 9th, 2025. Classes resume on Saturday, May 10th, 2025.

Golden Week: Spring Break at the Dojo

Golden Week is a key event in the Dojo year, and represents both a kind of Spring Break as well as the unofficial start to Blackbelt Selection.

April 2025 Rank Testing

The April 2025 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, April 26th. All Kyu ranks (adults and kids) will be testing.

Taikibansei — Great Talent, Evening Forming 大器晩成 [Edition 2025]

It is never too late to reach for the aspirations that define our lives. History is replete with examples of men and women who have made an enormous impact of consequence later in their lives.

Easter Holiday Schedule 2025

The dojo will be closed in celebration of the Easter holiday.

Advanced Brown Belt Review Class April 2025

1st Kyu Advanced Brown Belts will have a review class available to prepare for blackbelt selection. This is the second of two planned review classes to be held in 2025.

Gaden Insui — Pull Water to My Own Rice Paddy 我田引水 [Edition 2025]

Our karatedō enables us to project our strong spirit to influence the world around us. It is important to both define and refine that sense of identity and make it our "calling card" to the world.

Narai-sei to naru — Habit Becomes Nature 習い性となる

Building good habits isn't just a matter of doing useful and productive things. Our habits are really a reflection of ourselves and our identity. In fact, our habits are our identity.

Mushin — The Empty Mind 無心

Mushin is the state of mind in which one is equally prepared for all possibilities and equally free from all preconceptions. Mushin is a mental state of constant readiness, and also a mental state of effortless thought.

Tameshiwari (Breaking) Seminar 2025

The annual Tameshiwari Seminar returns in a special edition on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

San man nichi — Thirty Thousand Days 三万日 [Edition 2025]

The treasure of our life is the days we have to live it. On average, that's about thirty thousand days in total, and how we spend those days determines not only our success, but also our satisfaction and happiness.

Yama no chōjō ni wa ōku pasu — Many Paths Up the Mountain 山の頂上には多くパス [2025 Edition]

There are many paths to achieving our goals; but we must decide on the path to walk, and as we go about climbing ever upwards, we have to be careful that the paths we follow are indeed our paths, and not someone else's path.

Jo Ha Kyū — Begin, Break, Fast 序破急

There is a very basic, and universal, rhythm that governs strong technique and powerful forward development in all parts of our lives.

Women's Self Defense Seminar 2025

The 2025 edition of the award-winning Goju Karate Women's Self Defense Seminar returns on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Kara No Utsuwa Ni Sosoge Yo — Pour into the Empty Cup 空の器に注げよ

In order to learn, we first have to put aside some of our preconceptions. By opening our minds to the possibilities of new ideas, we expand our perspective and our knowledge.

Kumite for Beginners: Limited Edition Class Debuts

A limited-series of classes for karateka interested in beginning kumite (sparring) debuts in March.

First Advanced Brown Belt Review Class 2025

1st Kyu Advanced Brown Belts will have a review class available to prepare for blackbelt selection. This is the first of two planned review classes to be held in 2025.

Presidents Day Holiday Week 2025

Goju Karate will celebrate President's Day and the Dojo Winter Break beginning on Monday, February 17th. Classes Resume Monday, February 24th.

February 2025 Rank Testing

The February 2025 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, February 15th. Only Adult students will be testing on this day.

Mamoru Beki Mono — Value Must be Protected 守るべきもの

It is the nature of existence that everything that is good will be attacked and that everything of value must be defended. Karatedō trains us to be the successful defenders of value and good.

Garden State Karate Championships 2025

The Garden State Karate Championships will be held on February 16th, 2025 in central New Jersey.

Ikann — Consistency 一貫 (edition 2025)

Ikann is consistency: the practice of continuing to work on goals until they are achieved. Without ikann, very little is achieved. But with consistency, we multiple our efforts and rise to greater achievement.

Nen — Mindfulness 念 [edition 2025]

Nen is the fundamental power of the "now mind" sharpening focus and increasing mindfulness.

2025 Dojo Calendar Announced

The 2025 Dojo Events Calendar has been released -- learn how to add the calendar to your phone, tablet, or computer.

New Tuesday General Class Debuts

The dojo is adding a new Tuesday evening General Class for Adults at 6PM each week.

Onkochishin — New Wisdom from Studying the Past 温故知新

Onkochishin 温故知新 offers a powerful framework for personal development as it reminds us to mine the past — both our own and that of history — for new wisdom and insights. It was chosen as the Kagami Biraki lecture for 2025.

Mokuteki — Goals 目的 [edition 2025]

Goals are the lighthouses of our ambition, guiding our daily actions so that we move towards achieving our ultimate life purposes. Goals are the building blocks that we can use to build our purpose in life.

This Saturday: Kagami Biraki 2025

The traditional dojo-wide group workout will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Join millions of other karateka throughout the world in celebrating our karatedō together.

Ikigai — Purpose for Living 生き甲斐 [edition 2025]

To have a purpose for living is the true measure of a satisfied and rich life; rather than striving for happiness, strive for purpose. If any one concept is the secret to happiness and success, this is it.

Koenkai 2025 Meeting

The Koenkai 2025 Meeting will be held immediately following Kagami Biraki on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Cycle of Four 2025: The January Meditations

Every year, the dojo presents a unique cycle of four meditation+shodo lectures during the first four weeks of January. They set the tone for the rest of the year, exploring purpose, goals, and the tools and tactics necessary to achieve those goals. This is the 2025 edition.

LAST CALL: Holiday Fund 2024

The 2024 Holiday Fund donation drive is now in its final phase – if you haven't already contributed, please give generously.

Happy 2025! Classes Resume Monday, January 6th

As the New Year begins, classes resume on Monday, January 6th, 2025, with many exciting events and surprises planned for an amazing year to come.

Kagami Biraki 2025

The traditional dojo-wide group workout will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Join millions of other karateka throughout the world in celebrating our karatedō together.

Christmas 2024 and New Year's Holiday Schedule

The dojo is excited to celebrate the Christmas and New Year's Holidays as 2024 draws to a close and we prepare for an amazing 2025.

Dojo Holiday Party 2024

The 2024 edition of the annual Goju Karate Dojo Christmas Holiday Party will be held on Saturday, December 14th.

Holiday Fund 2024

The 2024 Holiday Fund donation drive has begun – please give generously. Your dojo is counting on you and your support.

December 2024 Rank Testing

The December 2024 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, December 14th. All Kyu ranks (adults and kids) will be testing. This will be the first Rank Testing at the dojo's brand-new facility and promises to be an exciting day of karatedō.

New Adult General Class to Debut in January: Tuesday 6PM

A new Tuesday 6PM General Class debuts in January, led by a senior blackbelt, and focusing on Introduction to Kumite, Functional Flexibility, kata, and strength training.

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule 2024

The dojo will be closed in celebration of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, starting on Friday, November 22nd to Saturday November 30th.

The 2024 NYC Karatedō International Championship Tameshiwari (Breaking) Tournament

The 2024 NYC Karatedō International Championship Tameshiwari Tournament is on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Goju Karate.

Tameshiwari (Breaking) Seminar 2024

The annual Tameshiwari Seminar returns on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

The Official 2024 Tameshiwari Tournament T-Shirt

Every year, the dojo produces a limited edition tshirt design for the Tameshiwari Tournament. In 2024, for the first time, the t-shirt is also sponsored by the NYC Karatedō International Championship.

Tameshiwari (Breaking) Tournament Official Rules 2024

The rules for competing in Tameshiwari (breaking) have been maintained by Goju Karate for more than a decade and are used in competitions globally. This is the latest revision for 2024.

Halloween at the Dojo 2024

Kids train in costume on Wednesday, October 30th, the day before Halloween. All kids divisions will feature special activities and treat bags, plus surprises! Come support our kids programs and celebrate this Fall classic at the dojo.

October 2024 Rank Testing

The October 2024 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, October 19th. All Kyu ranks (adults and kids) will be testing.

Columbus Day Holiday 2024

The dojo will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024 in celebration of the Columbus Day holiday.

Blackbelt Testing FOUR: Blackbelt Week Begins

The dojo is open only to Blackbelts on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, in support of the last event of Blackbelt Selection. All other classes and events are canceled on this day.

Thursday 7:30AM Adult General Class Schedule

The Thursday 7:30AM Adult General Class will not be held on the next two Thursdays. It will return on Thursday, October 17th.

Blackbelt Week 2024 Setup: Monday

The Goju Karate dojo will be closed on Monday, September 30th, 2024 in order to prepare for the beginning of Blackbelt Week. No classes (including livecast classes) will be held that day.

Blackbelt Week Events 2024

Blackbelt Week 2024 starts October 5th, featuring the end of blackbelt selection, the annual blackbelt dinner, a range of special events, and classes every day of the week.

Fall Schedule Resumes

The Summer schedule ends this month as the Saturday 12:30PM Special Subjects Class returns.

Mooncakes (Otsukimi お月見) at the Dojo 2024

The dojo celebrates Otsukimi (the Autumn Moon Festival and Moon Viewing) with mooncakes for students across all our classes on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024.

Nakitsura ni hachi — Bee Bites the Crying Face 泣面に蜂

We sometimes bring bad outcomes on ourselves in two ways. Sometimes we expect that one bad outcome follows another. Other times, by dwelling on an initial bad outcome, we lose focus and our strong spirit, and thereby increase the chances of more negative outcomes.

Blackbelt Selection Reviews September 2024

1st Kyu Advanced Brown Belts who are currently testing for Shodan ranking as part of Blackbelt Selection will have two special review classes in September to prepare for blackbelt selection and the Final Grading on October 5th.

Labor Day Holiday 2024

Goju Karate will be closed throughout the Labor Day weekend as the Summer comes to an end. Time to get ready for an exciting Autumn!

Kouun Ryusui — Floating Clouds, Flowing Water 行雲流水

We are surrounded by distraction and disharmony in different parts of our lives, but as karateka we train to maintain our balance. In addition, we train to sharpen the efficiency and grace of our actions and movement.

Mikka Bouzu — A Monk for Three Days 三日坊主

Pursuing the hard goals sharpens our focus and gives us a platform to grow our skills. Reaching for the difficult increases our own reach while strengthening our resolve.

Blackbelt Testing THREE: Kata

The dojo is open only to Blackbelts on Saturday, August 24, 2024, in support of the third event of Blackbelt Selection. All other classes, except for Mentor Division classes, are canceled on this day.

Gasshuku 2024

Gasshuku is the dojo's traditional summer break and occurs in August of every year. Most dojo around the world take this short break to prepare for the busy Autumn schedule.

Wabisabi — The Beauty of Transience and Imperfection 侘び寂び

Beauty is an important concept in karatedō that is often overlooked. Wabisabi helps to synthesize the key components of beauty.

August 2024 Rank Testing

The August 2024 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, August 10th. All Kyu ranks (adults only) will be testing.

Yugēn — A Profound, Mysterious Sense of Beauty 幽玄

As part of the concept of beauty, a profound sense of the mysterious and the deep emotional impact of beauty upon our mind and spirit is very important.

Sabi — The Beauty of Experience 寂

Sabi is the beauty inherent in the people, things, and places around you. This is a beauty of experience, based on the history and development of skills that is part of those people, things, and places.

Pinan Three: Step-by-Step Enbusen

A step-by-step written guide to the enbusen of Pinan Three is now available to Goju Karate students.

Blackbelt Testing TWO: Kihon

The dojo is open only to Blackbelts on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in support of the second event of Blackbelt Selection. All other classes are canceled on this day.

Giri — Duty and Obligation 義理

Giri 義理 is hierarchical duty and obligation in karatedō and in life. With it as part of your life, your days can be filled with a sense of purpose and your actions fueled with the energy that you are making a significant impact in the lives of those who matter all around you.

Shuhari — The Stages of Learning 守破離

Shuhari describes how we learn and the stages that we must pass through to gain skills and knowledge in every part of our life, including in our karatedō.

Jison (Jisonshin) — Self-Respect 自尊 (自尊心)

Jison (sometimes written as Jisonshin) is self-respect. Self-respect is a key characteristic of the successful karateka and must be trained, nurtured, and protected.

Independence Day Holiday 2024

The dojo will be closed in celebration of the July 4th Independence Day holiday beginning on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Classes will resume on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Kizuna — Community 絆

Kizuna represents the community that is our dojo, and the bonds that we form and nurture with our fellow karateka. But it also represents the greater communities we inhabit outside the dojo.

Celebrating Soke Meitatsu Yagi's 80th Birthday

Soke Meitatsu Yagi, the son of Meitoku Yagi, will celebrate his 80th birthday on July 7, 2024. In recognition of his work and the Yagi family's connection to Goju Karate and Sensei, a special matched set of shodo has been created to celebrate that milestone.

LiveCast Karatedō Classes

Goju Karate's LiveCast broadcast of karatedō classes enables classes from anywhere on the planet where there is an Internet connection.

Hana Yori Dango — Dumplings over Flowers 花より団子

Substance over style, necessities over luxuries. Karatedō teaches us to deeply consider true value and to prefer it to empty cosmetics and shallow things and people. A karateka is a man or woman of substance, as well as style — but substance first.

The Summer Dojo

Summer 2024 has started. These are some handy notes on upcoming events, reminders, and class schedules during the Summer, and more.

Kanku Dai: Enbusen and Commentary

A complete discussion of the enbusen for the blackbelt kata Kanku Dai is now available in the Goju Students section.

June 2024 Rank Testing

The June 2024 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, June 22nd. All Kyu ranks (both adults and kids) will be testing. This event will also include students from the Blackbelt Selection Group for 2024.

Pinan Two: Video + Step-by-Step

A PREVIEW release of the Pinan Two Kata video series and written commentary and step-by-step is now available to Goju Students.

Memorial Day Holiday 2024

The dojo will be closed in celebration of the Memorial Day holiday beginning on Saturday, May 25th. Regularly-scheduled classes resume on Monday, June 3rd, 2024.

Blackbelt Selection 2024

Blackbelt Testing is an annual event that lasts several months and culminates in Blackbelt Week in the Fall. The key dates for Selection in 2024 have been announced.

Dojo Spring Break 2024

This year, the Dojo Spring Break runs from Wednesday, May 1st to Wednesday, May 8th, 2024.

The History of Karatedō Seminar: Class Schedule Changes

Make plans to attend the second part of a ground-breaking seminar on the history and origins of karatedō.

April 2024 Rank Testing

The April 2024 Rank Testing will be held on Saturday, April 20th. All Kyu ranks (both adults and kids) will be testing. This event will also include students from the Mentor Program, a major milestone for that class.

Kids Kumite Classes

Kids Kumite Classes begin on April 29, 2024, during the Youth and Teens Division General Classes.

Junbi Undo: Functional Flexibility – Schedule Change

The next two Tuesday 6PM classes of Junbi Undo: Functional Flexibility will not be held. The class returns on April 16th at its regular time.

Easter Holiday Schedule 2024

The dojo will be closed in celebration of the Easter holiday.

The History of Karatedō: The Seminar PART TWO

Make plans to attend the second part of a ground-breaking seminar on the history and origins of karatedō.

Advanced Brown Belt Review Class 2024

1st Kyu Advanced Brown Belts will have a review class available to prepare for blackbelt selection.