SFMAI.org: Karate Classes, Martial Arts & Boxing in NYC

New at SFMAI

Lunch Box is Back! Wednesdays and Fridays in Feb. 12:15 - 12:45

MADLEAPS: Busting Out Party: Sunday March 7, 2010.

Infant Developmental Movement Education Classes - from birth to walking: Thursdays 10:30 - 11:45am, Jan. 28 - March 25th (no class Feb. 18)

Toddlers (12 - 30 months) Play Group: Fridays 2-3:00pm Feb. 12 - March 26 (no class Feb. 19)

Please Donate

The Society for Martial Arts Instruction is raising money to purchase the Philips HeartStart Onsite AED, automated external defibrillator. The Philips HeartStart defibrillator is the latest in essential safety equipment. Please help us by donating any amount that you can afford. Osu!

SFMAI is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501 (c) (3) organization. Your tax-deductible contribution will assist the development and maintenance of programs which help keep our community safe and empowered through the knowledge and practice of movement.

Instructors

Sensei Michelle Gay, CMA, RSME/T

Sensei Michelle, SFMAI's Executive Director, is a martial artist, Laban Certified Movement Analyst, Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist and has a background in professional dance and theatre. Along with her regular SFMAI schedule of classes and special workshops, she teaches Anatomy and Kinesiology at the Manhattan Center for Alexander Technique, is on the guest faculty for the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, Dalton High School, and Broadway Dance Center. Her first book "Brain Breaks For The Classroom" ,published by Scholastic, is due for release this fall.

Shihan Jose Cotton

Shihan Jose is a 5th degree black belt. He began his martial arts training directly under Soshu Shigeru Oyama at World Oyama Headquarters in 1986. He holds World Championship titles in Heavyweight and Open Division Full Contact karate. He was an original member of the Oyama Karate Full Contact Team and defeated opponents in tournaments in the United States, Europe, Canada and Japan.

Sensei David Sheeger

Sensei David began his martial arts training at World Oyama Karate Headquarters in Manhattan in 1986. He currently holds a 4th degree black belt in this style. He was a member of the World Oyama Karate Full Contact Team from 1992-1997 and competed Nationally and Internationally in the Light Weight Division.

Sensei Maria Van Dessel

Sensei Maria has been involved in the martial arts as student, competitor, judge, coach and teacher for nearly twenty five years. After a number of years as a dance student, she was seeking another field of movement training. She began practicing Eizan Ryu Jujitsu in 1981, drawn by techniques which allowed a smaller person to control a larger attacker.

Sang Kim Sensei

Sang Kim sensei, Yondan - US Batto Do Federation/Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei Nidan - Sei Zan KaiYondan studied with Bob Elder sensei (6th dan kyoshi) and Hataya Mitsuo sensei (9th dan Kaicho of the Zen Nihon Batto Do renmei). He was first introduced to sword at age 12 through kendo. He's been practicing Toyama Ryu and Battodo since 2000.

Amy Mathews

Amy Matthews, CMA, SME, RYT, RSMT/RSME has been teaching movement since 1994. She is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst, a Body-Mind Centering Practitioner, and a Motherhand Shiatsu practitioner.

Grandmaster Yu Cheng Hsiang

Born in Shanghai in 1929, Master Yu Cheng-hsiang studied Shaolin Chuan with Hou Zheng Chi at age 15 to control asthma. In 1949, he moved to Taiwan, where he studied Yang-style tai chi first with Lee Sou Chin and after Master Lee' passed away, he continued his studies with Cheng Man-ching. He came to New York City in 1979 where he has taught Tai chi Chuan for the last 30 years. Prominent students have included Maggie Newman and Joseph Zeisky.

Professor Jucao

Jucao holds the rank of fifth degree black belt professor. In his 30 years of training and teaching ju jitsu. Professor Jucao fas formed internationally recognized athletes, both as champions and professors of ju jitsu, capable of teaching and fighting anywhere in the world. As a competitor, he has been in over 1000 ju jitsu matches, won gold medals at the Pan American Games in Los Angeles in 1995 and 1996, and took the gold medal at the European Championships in Portugal in 2004.

Classes

Children's Karate Classes

Instructor Highlight

Sensei Maria has been involved in the martial arts as student, competitor, judge, coach and teacher for nearly twenty five years. After a number of years as a dance student, she was seeking another field of movement training. She began practicing Eizan Ryu Jujitsu in 1981, drawn by techniques which allowed a smaller person to control a larger attacker.

Articles

A parent, whose child has been training with us for a couple of years, sent me this essay written by her son as part of his middle school application process.

It floored me that I had so much in common with a 10 year old's training experience. I too have changed a lot and have had many wonderful teachers to whom I owe a great deal for their patience, perseverance, wisdom, and humour. Ironically, the people that I learn the most from these days are my students. Thanks to all the kids at World Kanreikai Karate NYC dojo!