Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan, New York NY

This place is an absolute treasure. The teachers are so knowledgeable and attentive. Practicing karate is excellent work for your mind and body, and you will see immeasurable rewards as your strength and confidence grow. I highly recommend this dojo!

There's an incredible roster of teachers who are mindful of physical limitations while supporting, instructing, inviting students to be better. They teach you to demand discipline and patience of yourself, to grow, and all they ask is that you at least try. Amazing teachers and students are attached to this dojo; skilled, inspiring, kind, and generous in spirit. The dojo is reverential, comfortable, challenging, difficult, frustrating, uplifting, humiliating, and most of all, rewarding without parallel. Also appreciated are the facts that personal safety and well-being are top priorities.

You will not find a better place in the entire city period.
Stop your search here and enjoy the experience.
Every single teacher (Sensei) are not only skilled but as importantly great human being. You will learn more than Karate.

My daughter loves taking karate here. I really like the lessons they teach in and out of the dojo.

This is the best, most welcoming and helpfully structured environment and community I have found for my son who has ADHD. He loves it! He’s learned respect, progress.integrity, focus and the character and satisfaction that come with combining heart with hard work. All demonstrated by the awesome female owners, mother- daughter dynamos working with a kind and dedicated team.

My son has been with Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan since the start of the school year and he LOVES it. Not only are the classes good physical exercise, but we’ve seen positive changes in his discipline and care for the people and the environment around him. Besides that, the team at the Dojo creates an incredibly welcoming and warm community feel around the school, which makes it a pleasure for both kids and the parents. Would highly recommend!

My son has been taking classes at Kenwakan for
2.5 years. He absolutely loves it. The teachers
are wonderful, caring and patient. My son has
become a lot more confident and he listens
better at home as well. I can highly recommend for anyone to take classes here.

Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan was exactly what we were looking for in a class for our son. The teaching of self discipline and self regulation has helped him at home and at school. Sensei David and Sensei Zelda know exactly what children need; focus, respect and discipline. Amazing vibe and wonderful experience to observe.
Thank you for treating us like family.
We appreciate all you do!

Great instructors, feels like family!
We moved across the country but my kids still talk regularly about their beloved KWK instructors ;)

A place to remember.where an adult, teen, child, can not only learn or even became a master overtime, but also find, a very nice social enviroment KEN WA KAN, means learning how to karate, with excellent masters, but also, have a great time meeting others, and also can b a familly place, is a place where learning karate, means also meeting great people all ages

Amazing experience with the whole staff. Professional, knowledgeable and most of all- kids adored them. Experts in their area. Shaped the foundation of discipline and respect with my kids. Highly recommend this program!

I’ve been a member of Kenwakan for 4 years. I procrastinated and started taking karate very late in life but it will remain something I pursue for the rest of it. Keep in mind, I am my own competitor; my growing list of physical limitations are my competitor’s limitations. No one expects me to compete with a strapping 20-year old. But they do expect me to perform at my best, honestly and with intent.

Karate at any well-founded dojo is an amazing discipline on its own. Karate at Kenwakan adds to that discipline the support, kindness, and toughness of a second family. Shihan, the founder, explains how the body works for any single move — you are not asked to perform moves mechanically but naturally, and she will show you how. Teachers go above and beyond in helping you — everything from offering to physically deliver items to your home, to giving additional instruction after class. Sensei Z created and sent me a video within minutes of my asking her a question about a specific kata!

Zoom and taped classes began not too long after lock-down, so there wasn’t a lot of downtime. They’ve since opened the dojo to in-person classes with all of the precautions prescribed by law. Class schedules fit around my work schedule.

Being a member of Kenwakan has been an emotional and physical lifeline in these disruptive, upsetting days. My sage advice is to try it out, it’s good for the body and soul…young bodies, old bodies, even older bodies…

Dana S

After visiting a number of martial arts schools in the Union Square neighborhood as well as observing a class at each school, I picked Ken Wa Kan. The teachers have been incredibly patient and supportive of this elder – 60-something – student. (I may have been their oldest white belt.) The school prides itself as being a community as well as a dojo and has certainly become more a part of my life than the local senior center.

I came to Ken Wa Kan with very little martial arts training and was warmly welcomed by the staff and students. After my first class, Sensei Zelda- who didn't even teach my class! - called me to ask about my experience. This community truly cares for each other and support you inside and outside of the dojo, creating such a supportive environment which helps me and so many other thrives. I can not recommend Ken Wa Kan enough!

I really loved spending time at the dojo. Everyone is super nice and understanding, the classes are really fun and I was in the best shape of my life when I was taking classes there. All the senseis are really personable and kind as well as being great teachers. Shihan is super cool and a great role model! I went as an adult student but the kids there always seem like they’re having a blast. Highly recommend:)

Originally based on the Kyokushin / World Oyama style, Ken Wa Kan persues its own intensive full-contact Karate, combined with well desciplined and beautiful kata practices. In the heart of New York City, it offers many training calliculums for adults and kids and by skill level, as well as family-oriented fun events, including retreats, camps, parties and 'self-offence' seminars. Shihan Michelle, formally trained by Soshu Shigeru Oyama, is proud of being a 6-time knock-down champion. She is also a Master of Somatic Movement. Ken Wa Kan is very friendly and open to anyone. Some Japanese students (including my wife, son and myself) also enjoy cultivating Japanese tradition and culture in Ken Wa Kan.