Adult Seido Karate

Thousand Waves teaches martial arts as a holistic fitness program to help you build strength, stamina, and spirit. Immediate benefits include increased flexibility, balance, and muscle tone. Workouts are vigorous and challenging for adults of all ages, physical abilities, and fitness levels.

Training also offers the benefits of stress relief, self-empowerment, and the capacity to build a non-quitting spirit to face life’s challenges and win. As students grow in body, mind, and spirit, they can make positive changes in their lives and significant contributions at home, work, school, and in their communities.

The core program at Thousand Waves is Seido Karate, a Japanese martial art founded in 1976 by Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, a martial artist and teacher of international stature. Our founder, Shuseki Shihan Nancy Lanoue, 7th dan, and our other head instructor emeritus, Sei Shihan Sarah Ludden, 6th dan, are prominent leaders within the Seido organization as well as the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF) and the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI). Thousand Waves is a licensed branch school of the World Seido Karate Organization (WSKO), and our members are also members of the W.S.K.O.

The name Seido means “sincere way.” Learning comes naturally as the syllabus is organized into manageable, skill-building units. A respectful spirit of giving and receiving support characterizes the relationships between senior and junior students. Students’ progress is honored at periodic tests for rank advancement. Over 160 people have trained the 5+ years required to earn an adult black belt. A corps of professional, trained instructors teach the 45 Seido Karate classes per week.

Read more about Thousand Waves instructors

Kaicho Nakamura still teaches at Jonshin Honzin, Seido Karate’s spiritual center in Elmsford, NY, in Westchester county. Kaicho Nakamura’s son and designated heir, Nidaime Akira Nakamura, serves as the Vice Chair of the World Seido Karate Organization and teaches at the Honbu (headquarters) dojo in Manhattan, New York City.

Read more about World Seido Karate

Beginner Program

Free Trial Class

Call us at 773-472-7663 or use the form below to set up your free trial class. You will be in a small group with other visitors and our newest members, and an instructor will take you through the basics and answer any questions about our center and its programs.

Our special Beginners Program allows you to ease into training slowly and safely. You don’t need to have any previous karate experience or to be in good physical condition. You’ll progress at your own pace, consistent with your ability and fitness level.

Our beginner classes are inter­changeable, so you can train at the school without locking yourself into a fixed schedule.