Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate of New York

Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate is an established karate school located in Medford, NY since 1990. It is conveniently accessible from Horseblock Road or County Road 101. Head Instructor Sensei Robert Rowley has been a martial arts practitioner for over 25 years. Starting out as a child, he began studying Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate. Following his graduation of High School in Bellport, Long Island, he enlisted in the United States Navy which took him to Southern California. In California he began the study of Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu, Shorinkan under the instruction of Kyoshi Nabil Noujaim, Nanadan (7th Degree Black Belt). It was under Kyoshi Noujaim that Sensei Rowley earned his Rokudan (6th degree Black Belt) in Karate, and also his Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) in Kobudo (Okinawan Weaponry). Sensei Rowley has tested for both his Rokudan, and Yondan in Kobudo in Okinawa under the supervision of Hanshi Shuguro Nakazato Judan (10th Degree. Black Belt). Sensei Rowley makes it a priority to travel to Okinawa at least once a year in order to receive direct training from Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato in order to maintain the purity of the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan style of training.

The system of karate that is taught in our dojo is Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate as developed hundreds of years ago in Shuri, Okinawa. 80% of all karate systems in the world today were derived from Okinawan Shorin-Ryu karate. This classical system of karate uses both hands and feet evenly for a well-rounded system of self-defense. Shorin-Ryu is a fighting system of karate with a self-mastery as its primary aim. The Grand Master of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan karate is Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato Sensei, 10th degree black belt Okinawa, Japan. Hanshi Hakazato has dedicated his life to karate-do for over 60 years. His exemplary personal knowledge and insistence upon "pure" karate are an inspiration to all true martial artists.

The instructors in our dojo are all CPR and AED certified. Each of them are dedicated to teaching karate in the tradition of the old Okinawan masters. We view karate as an effective means of self-defense, but more importantly, as a philosophy in which to develop the body, mind, and spirit to their maximum potential. To us, the character development, mental and physical discipline and self-reliance is just as important as the development of fighting skills.