About Us
Meet Our Instructors
Elite Training. Deep Tradition
Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA brings the authentic heart of Japanese martial arts to Los Angeles. We don’t just teach movements; we forge character through self-discipline, mutual respect, and purposeful practice.
Led by Shihan Vassie Naidoo
Under the guidance of Shihan Vassie Naidoo – a world-renowned leader in the Goju-Ryu community – our team provides world-class instruction for both adults and children. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, you are training with the elite.
Shihan Vassie Naidoo
8th Dan
Shihan Vassie Naidoo, 8th Dan
Shihan Vassie Naidoo
8th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Shihan Vassie Naidoo is the Chief Instructor and the founder of Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai Karate of LA. He holds the highest-ranked black belt in Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai, sharing this distinction with Fujiwara Shihan in Japan. He is a globally recognized leader, serving as Vice President of Seiwa-Kai International and traveling the world to teach.
Bringing 50 years of experience to the mat, Shihan Vassie is passionate about sharing the love of karate with both children and adults. His training methodology is rooted in the pillars of technique, discipline, and stress relief, guaranteeing that students are properly trained from the very first lesson, with an emphasis on making every movement count.
Sensei James Daly
7th Dan
Sensei James Daly, 7th Dan
Sensei James Daly
7th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Sensei James Daly is one of the dojo’s most experienced members, having trained with Shihan Vassie Naidoo for approximately 30 years. As the second most senior member of the dojo, his long-standing commitment to the art is clear.
Sensei James initially began his Goju-Ryu training in New York. This early foundation informs his teaching style, which incorporations aspects of hardcore street-style defense, offering students a practical and robust approach to self-protection.
Sensei Edison Valente
6th Dan
Sensei Edison Valente, 6th Dan
Sensei Edison Valente
6th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Sensei Edison started training in karate with Sensei Vassie about 25 years ago. He has a very technical approach to teaching kata and kumite in the adult class, integrating joint locks and throws from his Aikido background.
His teachings show how to draw strength from within to aid the student’s development. He also uses weapons on the mat to help his students maximize their self defense training.
Sensei Krishan Narayan
6th Dan
Senpai Krishan Narayan, 6th Dan
Sensei Krishan Narayan
6th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Sensei Krishan Narayan has been a dedicated student of Shihan Vassie Naidoo for over 25 years, beginning his training at the age of 5. This long-standing relationship has included multiple trips to Japan to train at the world headquarters, deeply rooting his instruction in the authentic style of Seiwa-Kai like Shihan Vassie.
An exceptional instructor, Sensei Krishan has taught both children and adults for the last 15 years, with a particular expertise in teaching kumite techniques (sparring). He considers it a great honor to share his knowledge with the community.
Senpai John Dean
5th Dan
Senpai John Dean, 5th Dan
Senpai John Dean
5th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Senpai John has a remarkable career in karate, having trained for 26 years and taught for 13. Starting under Shihan Vassie Naidoo at the young age of 4, he has achieved a 5th degree black belt and has further refined his skills through multiple training sessions in Japan.
A highly passionate and thorough instructor, Senpai John teaches adult, teen, and children’s classes. He excels at teaching katas (forms) and connecting with younger students, often incorporating fun activities that simultaneously build essential karate skills. His personal experience managing ADHD since adolescence provides him with a unique and valuable perspective on how martial arts can effectively help children with focus and discipline.
Senpai Matt Costelloe
5th Dan Goju-Ryu, 1st Dan Kyokushin
Senpai Matt Costello, 5th Dan
Senpai Matt Costelloe
5th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Senpai Matt Costelloe is a dedicated instructor who has trained under Shihan Vassie Naidoo for 15 years. He is a highly technical instructor for adult classes, known for his detail-oriented teaching that helps students achieve precision in their katas.
Senpai Matt also brings a wealth of knowledge from studying Kyokushin karate. This unique background allows him to blend the Kyokushin and Goju-Ryu styles when teaching kumite (sparring), providing students with a comprehensive and dynamic approach to fighting. He is a natural leader who easily connects with students, effectively guiding them in their practice.
Senpai Crystal Villagran
4th Dan Goju-Ryu, Brown Belt Shito Ryu
Senpai Crystal Villagran, 4th Dan
Senpai Crystal Villagran
4th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Senpai Crystal Villagran has been dedicated to the traditional art of Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai for over two decades. Prior to joining our dojo, she trained in Shito Ryu for years, and holds a brown belt in that style. This brings an expertise in kata, bunkai, and agility to her practice in Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai. As an instructor, Senpai Crystal brings a wealth of technical expertise and a passion for practical self defense to the mat. Her self defense strategies utilize realistic, effective techniques designed for real-world safety and situational awareness.
Senpai Crystal is committed to fostering a training environment built on the foundation of mutual respect. She believes that every student, regardless of age or rank, deserves to be treated with a high level of dignity and personal attention. She strives to create a dojo culture where every student is valued, heard, and supported in their individual journey.
Whether leading specialized self-defense workshops, high-intensity fitness drills, or refining traditional forms, Senpai Crystal focuses on empowering her students with confidence, focus, and a deep respect for the martial arts tradition.
Senpai Mike Lavin
4th Dan Goju-Ryu, 2nd Dan Isshin Ryu
Senpai Mike Lavin, 4th Dan
Senpai Mike Lavin
4th Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Senpai Mike Lavin balances rigorous traditional discipline with an approachable, student-centered coaching style. He is dedicated to creating a training atmosphere where hard work is met with unwavering support. He operates on the principle that the dojo is a place of equal opportunity, ensuring every student is treated with a high level of respect, dignity, and personal mentorship.
As an instructor for specialized self-defense classes, he focuses on situational awareness and techniques that are effective regardless of a student’s size or strength. Senpai Mike’s teaching is characterized by clarity and depth.
Before joining Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai, Senpai Mike spent years practicing Isshin-Ryu, providing him with a unique multi-faceted perspective on kata and technical execution. This combination brings fast, reflexive movement and defensive speed to his practice. While he is a formidable practitioner, he is particularly drawn to the meditative nature of karate, viewing the dojo as a space for mental clarity and focus.
Senpai Conrad Williams
3rd Dan
Senpai Conrad Williams, 3rd Dan
Senpai Conrad Williams
3rd Dan / Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai
Senpai Conrad Williams is a dedicated and long-time member of the dojo. He trained with Shihan Vassie Naidoo for four years during his childhood (ages five to nine) and has continued his adult training for nine consecutive years under Shihan Vassie Naidoo’s guidance.
Senpai Conrad is a key leader in the adult program where he leads the warm-up sessions for the adult classes, focusing on developing strength and flexibility. He is known for his commitment to precise movement demonstration which supports visual learners and reinforces muscle memory. This method provides students with a clear mental image of the desired movement which is essential for accurate execution and understanding the crucial timing and sequence of a technique.