Goju-Ryu Karate Classes for Adults on the Upper East Side
About our Goju-ryu classes
Train traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate in Manhattan with Roy Kamen, 9th degree black belt with more than 50 years of Goju-Ryu experience. Beginners are welcome. Classes are small, focused, and rooted in an authentic lineage that traces directly to Chojun Miyagi, founder of Goju-Ryu, making One World Dojo one of New York City’s most authentically traditional Goju-Ryu schools.
Goju-ryu karate is one of the original Okinawan karate styles, known for its combination of hard striking techniques and soft circular movements. At One World Dojo, we teach Goju-ryu the way it was meant to be taught — with an emphasis on kata, partner drills, breathing, meditation, and self-defense.
Why train here
Authentic Goju-Ryu with direct Okinawan lineage
Led by Roy Kamen, 9th degree black belt
Adult-focused classes for beginners through advanced students
Small class sizes and personal instruction
Upper East Side Manhattan location
Free first class for new students
Class Schedule
Thursday, 7 PM — All Levels, In Person
Monday, 7 PM — Advanced Kata, Zoom Only
Active Studios NYC, 1521 York Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10028
Start Here
Try your first class free and see whether One World Dojo is the right fit for you. Whether you want practical self-defense, authentic traditional training, deeper kata study, or simply a serious martial art taught correctly, this is a strong place to begin. The atmosphere is focused, welcoming, and adult-oriented.
Ready to train? Take your first free class at One World Dojo — the Upper East Side’s home for authentic Goju-ryu karate.
First Class Free Trial
Classes as low as $20
Schedule
Watch A Kata Partner Drill Video
TESTIMONIALS
"I've been training in Goju-ryu Karate with Roy since 1974. Practicing Karate has changed my life. It has kept me healthy and in great shape into my 70's. I love it and will practice with the One World Dojo until my last breath."
MEET YOUR SENSEI
Roy Kamen — Head Instructor, One World Dojo
Roy Kamen has been practicing Goju-ryu karate for over 50 years, holding the rank of ninth degree in the Goju-ryu tradition. His training represents a direct and unbroken lineage to Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-ryu karate.
A lineage rooted in Okinawan tradition
The lineage of One World Dojo passes directly from Chojun Miyagi through Seikichi Toguchi, Akira Kawakami, and Kow Loon Ong to Roy Kamen. Goju-ryu karate was founded by Chojun Miyagi in Okinawa, Japan in the early 20th century. Miyagi synthesized the hard and soft principles of traditional Chinese and Okinawan martial arts into a complete system of self-defense, physical conditioning, and character development.
- Chojun Miyagi — Founder of Goju-ryu karate
- Seikichi Toguchi — Direct student of Miyagi
- Akira Kawakami — Direct student of Seikichi Toguchi
- Kow Loon Ong — Direct student of Akira Kawakami, and Seikichi Toguchi
- Roy Kamen — Trained Under Seikichi Toguchi and Kow Loon Ong
This unbroken chain of transmission is rare in New York City, making One World Dojo one of the most authentically traditional Goju-ryu schools in the United States.
Training and credentials
- 50+ years of Goju-ryu karate practice
- Ninth Degree Black Belt
- Shidoshi of One World Dojo
His teaching philosophy
Roy Kamen believes that authentic Goju-ryu karate is more than a martial art — it is a lifelong practice of physical discipline, mental focus, and personal growth. Every class at One World Dojo reflects this philosophy, combining rigorous technical training with the deeper traditions of the Okinawan martial arts.
Kamen believes that: “The end goal of the practice of Goju ryu Karate is to reach a state of spiritual enlightenment through hard, rigorous training.”
One World Dojo welcomes adult students of all experience levels who are serious about learning authentic Goju-ryu karate on the Upper East Side of New York City. Class sizes are kept small to ensure every student receives personal attention and meaningful instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your class times?
Adult Goju-ryu classes are held:
- All Levels – In Person: Thurs. @ 7 PM
- Advanced Kata – Zoom: Mon. @ 7 PM
How much do classes cost?
First Class is a Free Trial. Then drop-in classes are $35.
$20 classes are available using Class packs, monthly, and yearly memberships.
How do I sign up?
View class schedule and sign up, or contact us at activestudiosnyc.com or visit us at Active Studios NYC, 1521 York Avenue. We encourage prospective students to come and observe or try a class before committing.
What should I expect in my first class?
Your first class will introduce you to the basic stances, strikes, and movement patterns of Goju-ryu. The atmosphere is focused but welcoming. You will train alongside other adult students in a small class setting, which means plenty of personal attention from the instructor. Come comfortable and ready to learn — no prior experience or equipment needed to start.
Do I need any prior experience to join?
No. One World Dojo welcomes complete beginners as well as experienced martial artists. Our Sensei meets every student where they are and builds their skills progressively. If you have trained in another style of karate or martial art, that experience is valued and respected here.
Am I too old to start karate?
Not at all. Goju-ryu has a long tradition of adult and lifelong practice. Students in their 40s, 50s, and beyond train regularly at One World Dojo. The physical demands are scaled to each individual, and the art’s mental and technical aspects become richer with practice and experience.
What do I wear to class?
For your first class, comfortable athletic clothing is fine. Once you commit to training, a traditional karate gi (uniform) is recommended but not required. Uniforms and belts are available at the dojo.
Where is One World Dojo located?
We are located at Active Studios NYC, 1521 York Avenue on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City, between 80th and 81st Streets. We are easily accessible by the 7 and Q subway lines and the M31 and M79 buses. The Dojo is street-level with no ramps. Parking is metered until 7 PM on York Ave. and free if you can find a spot on the side streets. Parking garages are numerous in the area.
What makes One World Dojo different from other karate schools in NYC?
One World Dojo offers something genuinely rare in New York City — authentic Goju-ryu karate with a direct and unbroken lineage to the founder of the style. Many schools teach a diluted or sport-focused version of karate. At One World Dojo, you train in the traditional Okinawan system as it has been passed down for generations, with small class sizes and a Sensei whose knowledge and credentials are unmatched on the Upper East Side.
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes. Contact us to book a private lesson with Sensei Roy Kamen.
Roy Kamen Performing Seipai Kata
About Goju-Ryu Karate
What is Goju-ryu karate?
Goju-ryu is one of the original Okinawan styles of karate, founded by Chojun Miyagi in the early 20th century. The name means “hard-soft style” — combining powerful linear strikes with circular, flowing defensive movements. It is widely regarded as one of the most complete and practical traditional martial arts systems in the world.
How is Goju-ryu different from other karate styles?
Unlike purely linear styles such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu integrates both hard and soft techniques, close-range fighting, grappling, and breathing exercises called “ibuki.” It places a strong emphasis on kata — formal movement patterns that encode centuries of fighting wisdom — as well as practical self-defense application. Goju-ryu is also one of the few karate styles with a direct, documented lineage back to its Okinawan origins.
Is Goju-ryu effective for self-defense?
Yes. Goju-ryu was developed as a practical fighting system and remains highly effective for real-world self-defense. Its techniques work at close range, making it particularly useful in real situations where space is limited. Many law enforcement and military personnel train in Goju-ryu specifically for this reason.
Is Goju-ryu good for fitness?
Absolutely. Goju-ryu training builds cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. The breathing exercises unique to Goju-ryu also develop core strength and mental focus in ways that few other fitness practices can match.
Is Goju-ryu karate good for adults?
Goju-ryu is exceptionally well-suited to adult practitioners. Unlike sports-focused martial arts, traditional Goju-ryu emphasizes technique, timing, and intelligence over raw athleticism — meaning adults improve steadily regardless of age or prior fitness level. Many of our students began training as adults with no prior martial arts experience.
Mind–Body–Spirit: How We Teach OWD Goju-Ryu Karate
At Active Studios NYC, we teach Goju-Ryu as more than a workout. Training develops the mind (focus, memory, composure), the body (strength, breath, structure), and the spirit (courage, humility, resilience, fearless compassion).
This approach is the foundation of One World Dojo’s philosophy—bringing traditional Okinawan training into modern life with clarity and purpose.
KARATE: Beneath The Surface
Roy Kamen experienced a spiritual awakening while practicing kata during the Summer of 2015. Two years later, he published KARATE: Beneath The Surface – a book about the emotional and spiritual content of Goju-Ryu Karate
