Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA
Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA, 12416 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
About
Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA offers karate classes that include basics (kihon), forms (kata), sparring (kumite), self-defense, and karate games. The program provides kids karate classes, adult karate classes, private training, and structured groups such as Preschool KICK Crew, Elementary KICK Crew, Teen KICK Crew, and adult karate classes focused on fitness, discipline, and self-defense.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday between 6 AM and 10 PM
Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA is a traditional karate dojo that belongs to the roots of Goju-Ryu and traces its origins directly back to Japan. The program offers classes for everyone ages 4 and up, with specialized classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, and adult classes for ages 14 and up, with advanced teens allowed in adult classes by invitation. Three main sections of karate are taught: basics (kihon), forms (kata), and sparring (kumite), and karate games are included at the end of each kids class. Private training sessions are available with Shihan Vassie Naidoo, and the dojo offers free trial week and free trial classes. The dojo is described as a safe place for everyone to learn martial arts, with a focus on technique, discipline, stress relief, and practical, powerful techniques useful in real-life situations, in a welcoming community that supports training goals.
The leadership team includes Chief Instructor and founder Shihan Vassie Naidoo (8th Dan, Vice President of Seiwa-Kai International), Sensei James Daly (7th Dan), Sensei Edison Valente (6th Dan), Sensei Krishan Narayan (5th Dan), Senpai John Dean (4th Dan, also described as 5th degree black belt), Senpai Matt Costelloe (5th Dan Goju-Ryu, 1st Dan Kyokushin), and Senpai Conrad Williams (2nd Dan). Shihan Vassie Naidoo holds the highest-ranked black belt in Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai, shared with Fujiwara Shihan in Japan, represents 34 countries worldwide through Seiwa-Kai International, and brings 50 years of experience to the mat as a world renowned instructor who trains instructors and students worldwide. Several senior instructors began training with him as children and have decades of training and teaching experience, including multiple training trips to Japan.
The mission of Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA is to honor the strong traditions of Goju-Ryu, tracing its origins directly back to Japan, and to teach students to execute every movement with purpose from the beginning of their training. The program states that it instills foundational principles of self-discipline and mutual respect and coaches every student to strengthen their individual karate practice within a supportive and welcoming group environment.
Testimonials describe Shihan Vassie Naidoo as one of the most knowledgeable martial artists and teachers, with students noting that people travel from all over the world to train with him and that he provides a complete experience in traditional karate. Longtime practitioners with decades of karate experience report learning something new each time they train with him, and students describe the dojo community as hardworking, respectful, fun, and feeling like family. Parents and students mention that the dojo is more than a dojo and call it a safe place for everyone to learn martial arts, with training described as disciplined, tough, and tailored to different ages and experience levels.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday between 6 AM and 10 PM
Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA is a traditional karate dojo that belongs to the roots of Goju-Ryu and traces its origins directly back to Japan. The program offers classes for everyone ages 4 and up, with specialized classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, and adult classes for ages 14 and up, with advanced teens allowed in adult classes by invitation. Three main sections of karate are taught: basics (kihon), forms (kata), and sparring (kumite), and karate games are included at the end of each kids class. Private training sessions are available with Shihan Vassie Naidoo, and the dojo offers free trial week and free trial classes. The dojo is described as a safe place for everyone to learn martial arts, with a focus on technique, discipline, stress relief, and practical, powerful techniques useful in real-life situations, in a welcoming community that supports training goals.
The leadership team includes Chief Instructor and founder Shihan Vassie Naidoo (8th Dan, Vice President of Seiwa-Kai International), Sensei James Daly (7th Dan), Sensei Edison Valente (6th Dan), Sensei Krishan Narayan (5th Dan), Senpai John Dean (4th Dan, also described as 5th degree black belt), Senpai Matt Costelloe (5th Dan Goju-Ryu, 1st Dan Kyokushin), and Senpai Conrad Williams (2nd Dan). Shihan Vassie Naidoo holds the highest-ranked black belt in Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai, shared with Fujiwara Shihan in Japan, represents 34 countries worldwide through Seiwa-Kai International, and brings 50 years of experience to the mat as a world renowned instructor who trains instructors and students worldwide. Several senior instructors began training with him as children and have decades of training and teaching experience, including multiple training trips to Japan.
The mission of Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA is to honor the strong traditions of Goju-Ryu, tracing its origins directly back to Japan, and to teach students to execute every movement with purpose from the beginning of their training. The program states that it instills foundational principles of self-discipline and mutual respect and coaches every student to strengthen their individual karate practice within a supportive and welcoming group environment.
Testimonials describe Shihan Vassie Naidoo as one of the most knowledgeable martial artists and teachers, with students noting that people travel from all over the world to train with him and that he provides a complete experience in traditional karate. Longtime practitioners with decades of karate experience report learning something new each time they train with him, and students describe the dojo community as hardworking, respectful, fun, and feeling like family. Parents and students mention that the dojo is more than a dojo and call it a safe place for everyone to learn martial arts, with training described as disciplined, tough, and tailored to different ages and experience levels.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
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