About
Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan offers traditional Japanese karate, including karate classes for kids and adult and teen group karate classes. Students can train in sparring, kata, weapons kata, knockdown fighting, self defense training, and tournament preparation sessions, and can also take part in karate tournaments. The program also offers specialty camps such as Surf & Turf Summer Camp, and training is available in person, live via Zoom, or through recorded karate classes.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan was founded in 1998 as a family owned and run, traditional karate dojo. The dojo is described as family-oriented, diverse, and deeply connected, with lifelong family involvement in karate. It offers a proprietary approach that combines traditional Japanese karate with western somatic movement science and harnesses the body’s natural movement patterns, and it is described as accessible to a wide variety of ages and athletic abilities. The program includes a Black Belt Course Program for adults and teens as an advanced program, as well as specialty camps and events that enrich community connection. Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan is described as one of the best karate dojo in New York City.
The program is founded and led by Shihan Michelle Gay, a 6th Degree Black Belt and 6-time Women’s Knockdown fighting champion, Kata and Weapons Kata tournament champion, and 6-time karate champion holding many North American Open Tournament Championship titles, who completed 61 consecutive fights with multiple opponents in the 2004 event “A Woman’s Right To Fight.” Her expertise includes Somatic Education, Anatomy, and Kinesiology, and she is a direct student of Soshu Shigeru Oyama and a Laban Certified Movement Analyst (CMA, RSME). The leadership team also includes Sensei Diane (Adult/Teen Program Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt), Sensei David (Adult/Teen & Juniors Program Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt), Senpai Khaing (Adult/Teen & Juniors Program Instructor, First Degree Black Belt), Sensei Zelda (Program Director, Adult/Teen & Juniors Program Instructor, 4th Degree Black Belt, Knockdown Fighter and International Karate competitor), Senpai Maria (Adult/Teen Program Instructor, Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan ranks), and Senpai Tak (Adult/Teen Program Instructor, with prior Judo experience). The mission of Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan is “to help with a transformation of your body, mind and spirt.” Self Offense, a company owned by Shihan Michelle and Sensei Zelda, works to end sexual assault and harassment.
Last updated April 17, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan was founded in 1998 as a family owned and run, traditional karate dojo. The dojo is described as family-oriented, diverse, and deeply connected, with lifelong family involvement in karate. It offers a proprietary approach that combines traditional Japanese karate with western somatic movement science and harnesses the body’s natural movement patterns, and it is described as accessible to a wide variety of ages and athletic abilities. The program includes a Black Belt Course Program for adults and teens as an advanced program, as well as specialty camps and events that enrich community connection. Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan is described as one of the best karate dojo in New York City.
The program is founded and led by Shihan Michelle Gay, a 6th Degree Black Belt and 6-time Women’s Knockdown fighting champion, Kata and Weapons Kata tournament champion, and 6-time karate champion holding many North American Open Tournament Championship titles, who completed 61 consecutive fights with multiple opponents in the 2004 event “A Woman’s Right To Fight.” Her expertise includes Somatic Education, Anatomy, and Kinesiology, and she is a direct student of Soshu Shigeru Oyama and a Laban Certified Movement Analyst (CMA, RSME). The leadership team also includes Sensei Diane (Adult/Teen Program Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt), Sensei David (Adult/Teen & Juniors Program Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt), Senpai Khaing (Adult/Teen & Juniors Program Instructor, First Degree Black Belt), Sensei Zelda (Program Director, Adult/Teen & Juniors Program Instructor, 4th Degree Black Belt, Knockdown Fighter and International Karate competitor), Senpai Maria (Adult/Teen Program Instructor, Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan ranks), and Senpai Tak (Adult/Teen Program Instructor, with prior Judo experience). The mission of Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan is “to help with a transformation of your body, mind and spirt.” Self Offense, a company owned by Shihan Michelle and Sensei Zelda, works to end sexual assault and harassment.
Last updated April 17, 2026.
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