Our Instructors
Sensei
Avi Rokah
Avi was born in Israel in 1960, where he began studying Karate at the age of 14. At age 21, Avi came to Los Angeles to study with Grand Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, intending to stay for 6 months. However, despite his original plans, Avi remained in Los Angeles, and continued his studies with Nishiyama until the Grand Master’s death, nearly 30 years later.
Over time, Avi began to compete and teach seminars all over the world, attained a 8th degree (Dan) black belt, and eventually, with great dedication, became Nishiyama’s prized student and heir apparent.
In 1982, Avi opened his own dojo where he now teaches students of all ages and levels. Since then, he has qualified more than one hundred of his students as black belts.
Avi also lead a successful competitive career, becoming a World Champion (1994), and five time US champion (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2000). He was also the champion of the International Goodwill, and California State tournaments for more than 10 years each.
Today, Avi continues to teach seminars worldwide, and serves as the president of World Traditional Karate-Do Federation (WTKF), and the World Budo Karate Association’s Technical Director. Avi is also the head coach of the US National Traditional Karate Team, as well as Senior Coach to the national teams of Germany, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Canada, Israel, Lithuania and the Czech Republic.
Avi’s unique teaching approach continues the legacy of Grand Master Nishiyama, combining the traditions of Japanese Karate and Kendo, with the modern sciences of physiology and kinesiology. This fusion of modern and traditional techniques, makes him one of the best karate instructors in the world and creates a one of a kind experience that is studied by kids, adults, and top Karate practitioners worldwide.
Grand Master
Hidetaka Nishiyama
Hidetaka Nishiyama was born in 1928 in Tokyo. His father was a master of Kendo, an art which young Hidetaka began studying on the fifth day, of the fifth month of his fifth year. In addition to Kendo, he also studied Judo, and continued on to achieve a black belt in both disciplines.
At age 15, he began studying Shotokan Karate with Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of the Shotokan Karate discipline.
Over time, Nishiyama became one of the leading practitioners and teachers of traditional Karate, and eventually the heir to Grand Master Funakoshi’s legacy.
In 1961, US military personnel stationed in Japan, and training under Nishiyama, invited him to teach in the United States. There, he established a Dojo in Los Angeles, where he continued to teach Traditional Karate for nearly 50 years. (In later years, he had planned to move from his Downtown dojo to teach at the West Los Angeles dojo of his top student, Avi Rokah, but was never able to do so).
Among his accomplishments are the founding of the Japan Karate Association, the International Traditional Karate Federation, the Karate Instructors Course (Japan), and the Pan American Karate Union.
He was also honored with Japanese The Order of the Sacred Treasure (4th Class) in 2000.
Towards the end of his life – despite being internationally recognized as a legendary Sensei – Nishiyama still resisted attempts of the ITKF to award him a 10th (and final) Dan – as he felt it would signify the end of his learning.
To him, Karate was more than simply a martial art. It was a limitless vehicle with which to improve one’s self as a whole – A study which he continued to pursue until his death in 2008.
On October 10th, 2009 (what would have been his 81st birthday), The ITKF posthumously awarded the Grand Master his 10th dan.
Hidetaka Nishiyama left behind a profound Karate legacy. His ability to combine traditional teachings with a modern understanding exercise science and psychology, lead to the development of a systematic and comprehensive set of training principles, which he personally felt were his greatest work.
Today, these masterful principles have ensured that Shotokan Karate will continue to grow, develop, and flourish, while still maintaining it’s deep roots, strong traditions, and time-tested techniques.
Sensei
Ruth Rokah
Ruth began her physical training as a competitive gymnast in Sweden at age 6. By the time she turned 11, her passion for teaching was evident, and she began her work as an assistant coach to her gymnastics instructor. Throughout her teenage years she worked with young, developing gymnasts. At age 15, she became one of the youngest certified international gymnastics judges, participating in countless competitions thereafter.
Ruth herself placed third in the Swedish championship, just beginning her international career as a gymnast, until an injury brought its premature demise. She continued on to become a nurse, working in Swedish hospitals for some years. During this time, she created the first aerobics program her town had ever seen.
Upon turning 20, she traveled to San Francisco to become an AAFA Reebook certified Step instructor, all the while certifying her name as a pioneer in introducing Step Aerobics to Sweden.
At age 23, Ruth traveled to Los Angeles. She worked as a coach at Santa Monica’s Gymnastic Center (closed now).
While she rekindled her coaching passion in gymnastics, she also began studying karate under Sensei Avi Rokah, little did she know he was her future husband and father of four. Until this day, she has continued to study under Sensei Avi and currently holds a third degree black belt as well as five Regional Championship titles and the US National Championship Gold for sparring.
As the champion she had the honor of representing the US in the world championship in Brazil.
Ruth has also studied fitness instruction at UCLA and worked as a personal trainer during the past 20 years. She also worked as a school nurse at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, taught PE at YULA girls school, and ran a Karate Club for special needs children together with her son in cooperation with the Friendship Circle.
Ruth is passionate about the Kinder Karate/Gymnastics program she has developed and she also loves teaching the general children’s program together with Sensei Avi.
Outside the dojo where she work as a karate instructor, Ruth’s priority is raising her four children and her hobbies include studying yoga and nutrition.