White Plains
White Plains YMCA USA Goju Karate
USA GoJu - an eclectic synthesis of the education , training, and experience of Sensei Peter Urban, the traditions of Yamaguchi GoJu, the fighting spirit of Oyama and the philosophy of Sensei Richard Kim combined with the personality of the founder of USA GoJu, Peter Urban, to give us what we have today. The three primary influences of our style are: Chogun Miyagi - the Founder of Goju-Ryu Karate. Born in Okinawa in 1888 and started training at the age of nine. In 1937 he received the first doctorate degree ever awarded in Karate. Gogen Yamaguchi - the Founder of the first GoJu Karate School in Japan. He was one of Sensei Miyagi’s senior students in Japan. In 1951 he was promoted to Grand Master and the rank of 10th Dan. Peter Urban - founder of USA GoJu Karate System. A student of Gogen Yamaguchi, Richard Kim, and Mas Oyama. Although his style of USA GoJu is closely related to that of Yamaguchi’s Japanese GoJu Ryu, Sensei Urban infused several styles of Karate together to form USA GoJu Karate. He is presently the 10th Dan Grand Patriarch of all USA GoJu systems.
We offer a combination of traditional Karate training, free form fighting, self defense applications, overall body conditioning and stretching. We emphasize both Karate and conditioning and our workouts are intense at times. Let body and mind become one with USA GoJu Karate.
Head Instructor Joel Gonzalez-Blanco, 4th Dan, NEMAC Vice-President, began his martial arts training here at the White Plains YMCA under its program founder Shihan William Grady in 1977. After Sensei Gonzalez-Blanco finished his formal education, he returned to achieve his Black Belt in 1988. Since then he considers himself very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Shihans Albert Gotay, Dick Waller(RIP), Kevin McGrath and Hector Rodriguez. Over the years he’s also trained side by side with many of his fellow NEMAC instructors, which has greatly contributed to his teaching style and repertoire.
Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, beginners to advanced.
YMCA members are eligible for one free class session. Non-YMCA members are welcome to come and watch the class. Eight week session (approximately 16 sessions) are $100 for YMCA members, $120 for non-members.
Use of the YMCA locker rooms and showers are included in the fee. YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester White Plains Family Center 250 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605 914-949-8030
Directions:
From Points West of White Plains: Interstate 287 East (Cross Westchester Expressway) to
Exit 8W-Rt 119. Go to 2nd traffic light and make a right onto Maple Ave. Go up hill past four traffic lights to Mamaroneck Ave., and make a left. YMCA is on the right.
From Points East of White Plains: Interstate 287 West (Cross Westchester Expressway) to
Exit 8 (Westchester Ave.) Bear left at first light. Go two more traffic lights and make a left onto Bloomingdale Rd. Next light make a right onto Maple Ave. Go up hill past four traffic lights to Mamaroneck Ave. Make a left. YMCA is on the right.