We just wanted to take a moment to recognize Sensei for his 70th birthday, and thank him for bringing us together and keeping us tough for nearly 50 years–and still going strong!

Sensei was 22 when he first approached the Koyasan Temple to use their new social hall to teach karate. From his years of training under Derheim sensei, Sensei Gary had developed a strong work ethic that couldn’t be satisfied by anything other than diligent effort. Derheim sensei’s dojo had closed the year before, and Sensei Gary had the realization that if he wanted to continue training, it was up to him to make it happen, and show up without fail.

And so without fail, every Saturday, Sensei is there to guide us and kick our butts every Saturday, since 1976!

We are all so grateful for the opportunity to train together and learn from him and each other, and the Karate he has brought us has been honest and pure. He’s attracted a loyal following of regular students and welcomes anyone to come and hone themselves physically and mentally into a true Karate-ka.

Every time we bow in the dojo, we show respect to each other, our sensei, and our lineage. See you next Saturday!

Stuart N presenting Sensei with a card and a gift from the class: a set of bluetooth headphones