FIND A DOJO
Where your journey begins
CNGK Dojos are independently owned and operated by a group of like-minded martial artists dedicated to providing high-quality instruction through mentorship and vision of Hanshi Jay Purdy, a pioneer in Canadian Goju Karate.
CANADIAN NAHA-TE GOJU KARATE
Kyoshi Mike Robertson, Head Instructor
Kyoshi Robertson is the head of the CNGK Grading Board and responsible for the development of instructors and teaching curriculum.
​
Kyoshi Mike has been teaching and training Goju Karate for over 35 years. He is a 7th degree black belt and the longest training student of Hanshi Jay Purdy. He was fortunate to receive personal instruction from Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi, direct successor to the founder of Goju-ryu Karate, Master Chojun Miyagi.
​
A Kata specialist, Kyoshi Mike's dedicated study of Goju-ryu gives him a unique depth of understanding of the art.
TRI-CITY TRAINING
Renshi Tom Cako, Head Instructor
Renshi Tom is an experience instructor or Goju Ryu Karate, Olympic Freestyle Wrestling, Strength & Conditioning, and T’ai Chi Chu’an
As Head Instructor and Director of Tri-City Training, Sensei Tom Cako is committed to promoting a lifelong, healthy lifestyle in his students, one that focuses on all aspects of their lives. Tom Cako brings both his extensive knowledge of physical training and martial arts to his broad experience with wrestling and judo and offers a coaching perspective that looks at the total athlete.
ELORA KARATE DOJO
Renshi Barb Lamble, Head Instructor
A student of traditional Goju-ryu Karate for over 2 decades, Sensei Barb Lamble is a member of Canadian Naha-te Goju Karate and a level 3 certified CNGK instructor. She is a Godan (5th degree black belt) and a student of Kyoshi Mike Robertson and the late Hanshi Jay Purdy.
Sensei Barb opened Elora Karate Dojo at the request of Hanshi Jay Purdy in 2012 to ensure that CNGK karate was represented in the community after his retirement from active teaching. Sensei Barb's creative and flexible approach to students of all ages and abilities helps them to reach their highest potential in the art of karate.
​
MAPLETON MARTIAL ARTS
Renshi Christina Graf, Head Instructor
Sensei Christina Graf is an accomplished Martial Artist earning her 5th degree Black Belt (godan) in Canadian Naha-te Goju Karate.
She began her training in Elora, Ontario with Kyoshi Jay Purdy. Over her 30 years studying martial arts she has also studied Okinawan weapons (bo, sai, tonfa), Tai Chi and has attended and still attends seminars and workshops, continuing her lifelong learning, imparting that to her students.
Sensei Christina understands the meaning of community and about giving back as she also volunteers with the local fire department.
PURDY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Sensei Blair Purdy, Head instructor
Sensei Blair began studying Goju-Ryu Karate at the early age of 4 under the tutelage of his father, Hanshi Jay Purdy. When he was old enough, Blair began training with Hanshi William Hind, head of the Canada Goju Association in Toronto. As 16 year old Black Belt, Sensei Blair accompanied his father to Okinawa Japan to study with Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi and his son Meitatsu at the Yagi dojo in Naha city.
Sensei Blair Purdy still teaches privately in and around the GTA but is focusing mainly on his classes at the Purdy Center for the Arts in King Township just North of Toronto.
UGDSB MARTIAL ARTS
Sensei Amanda McAlpine
Amanda’s love of athletics began with her involvement in Cross Country running and playing varsity Rugby with University of Guelph. She is proud member of 1998 Hall of Fame team. Amanda also coached a high school team to OFSAA provincial championships and traveled to the UK on tour with the team.Â
Amanda now trains (and competes) with Goju Ryu Karate and Judo (Nationally & Internationally). She achieved a Silver medal at the Veteran Judo World Championship 2019 (Morocco). She also trains Olympic Freestyle wrestling, Strength Training/Conditioning.
It is her love of teaching and coaching as well as her passion for Martial Arts, health and wellness that helps ignite an excitement for learning in her students. It is her goal to help each student attain his or her best in ALL areas of his/her life.