About
Gerry Blanck's Martial Arts Center offers training in Yoshukai Karate, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Self-Defense. Students practice traditional katas (pre designed movements), work with weapons, learn self defense, and do breaking. The center also hosts Karate Kid Birthday parties that include exciting demonstrations and fun martial arts games.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Grand Opening Celebration and first day of classes on Monday June 1; private lessons and pre-registration available through the month of May; all group classes continue at a temporary location until the new dojo opens
Gerry Blanck teaches at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center and is the West Coast Director of Yoshukai Karate. He began training in Yoshukai Karate at age 18 under 7th degree black belt Mike Foster and 5th degree black belt Bob Bunning, received his brown belt under them while in college, and earned his black belt in 1977 under 6th degree black belt Hiroaki Toyama and Master Yuki Koda. In 1982 he moved to California and opened a dojo in the Pacific Palisades, and the center is celebrating 44 years in Pacific Palisades. In 1983 he won the World Karate Association Super Featherweight Champion title and the International Kickboxing Association Junior-Lightweight Champion title, and he retired from his pro career in 1985 with a record of 23-2, including 12 knockouts. In 1999 he received the Ryu-Ken Award recognizing the U.S. Yoshukai Karate Instructor of the Year, and last November he was presented his 8th Degree Red Belt by Grand Master Yamamoto from Japan. Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center was picked as school of the month in Black Belt Magazine in October 1992. Gerry has been featured on TV shows including Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Eye On LA, Baywatch, and Dancing With the Stars, and has appeared in martial arts movies such as Black Belt and Full Contact. The center announced its return to the Palisades after the devastation of The Palisades Fire, and a Gerry Blanck Martial Arts YouTube channel is available.
One parent reports that a child has been taking karate at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center for almost a year and describes it as fantastic for confidence, coordination, exercise, practicing respect, and relationship building, and says the child loves it. The same parent notes that Gerry goes out of his way to make kids feel special and that in Yoshukai Karate students do traditional katas, work with weapons, fight, learn self defense, and practice breaking. Karate Kid Birthday parties are offered at the center or at a family’s home and are designed to accommodate children ages five through twelve, and the party is described as being guaranteed to make the birthday child the star of the show.
Last updated August 2, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Grand Opening Celebration and first day of classes on Monday June 1; private lessons and pre-registration available through the month of May; all group classes continue at a temporary location until the new dojo opens
Gerry Blanck teaches at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center and is the West Coast Director of Yoshukai Karate. He began training in Yoshukai Karate at age 18 under 7th degree black belt Mike Foster and 5th degree black belt Bob Bunning, received his brown belt under them while in college, and earned his black belt in 1977 under 6th degree black belt Hiroaki Toyama and Master Yuki Koda. In 1982 he moved to California and opened a dojo in the Pacific Palisades, and the center is celebrating 44 years in Pacific Palisades. In 1983 he won the World Karate Association Super Featherweight Champion title and the International Kickboxing Association Junior-Lightweight Champion title, and he retired from his pro career in 1985 with a record of 23-2, including 12 knockouts. In 1999 he received the Ryu-Ken Award recognizing the U.S. Yoshukai Karate Instructor of the Year, and last November he was presented his 8th Degree Red Belt by Grand Master Yamamoto from Japan. Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center was picked as school of the month in Black Belt Magazine in October 1992. Gerry has been featured on TV shows including Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Eye On LA, Baywatch, and Dancing With the Stars, and has appeared in martial arts movies such as Black Belt and Full Contact. The center announced its return to the Palisades after the devastation of The Palisades Fire, and a Gerry Blanck Martial Arts YouTube channel is available.
One parent reports that a child has been taking karate at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center for almost a year and describes it as fantastic for confidence, coordination, exercise, practicing respect, and relationship building, and says the child loves it. The same parent notes that Gerry goes out of his way to make kids feel special and that in Yoshukai Karate students do traditional katas, work with weapons, fight, learn self defense, and practice breaking. Karate Kid Birthday parties are offered at the center or at a family’s home and are designed to accommodate children ages five through twelve, and the party is described as being guaranteed to make the birthday child the star of the show.
Last updated August 2, 2026.
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