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WE ARE SEISHIN RYU KARATE
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Seishin Ryu style of karate was introduced by Sensei Len Monk in Palmerston North at the King Street Karate Dojo in the 1970's. Sensei Bill Harvey, who trained under Sensei Monk, opened the first Seishin Ryu dojo in Foxton in 1978. Sensei Len Monk is now the instructor for Seishin Ryu Karate in Auckland, which is a combination of seishin ryu and fushin ryu karate styles.
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In the 1980's, Sensei Bill Harvey opened the Levin Seishin Ryu Karate Dojo, although it had to close a short time later due to 3 alternative clubs running at the same time - Foxton, Shannon and Levin. The Shannon Dojo closed in the 90's and the Levin Dojo reopened a short time later.
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Today, the Levin and Foxton dojo, also known as Horowhenua School of Karate, are still going strong and Sensei Bill Harvey, while still training solidly at the club, has handed over the running of the clubs to Sensei Matt Harvey.
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Our Sensei
My karate journey began at age 10. At 12, I trained in Japan for 3-weeks under Hanshi Sugihara Kenpu. I competed through the 90s, earned my black belt in 1996 and Nidan in 1999. I later played representative and professional rugby for Horowhenua, Manawatu, Taranaki, and in Italy. I also competed in boxing, winning Manawatu, Central North Island, and Golden Gloves titles. Karate has shaped my discipline and self-belief. I earned my 3rd Dan in 2018 and hold a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
My karate journey began later in life. I had trained in traditional Jujitsu in my youth but didn’t pursue it. In my late 40s, wanting to improve my health and fitness, I searched for something more engaging than the gym, which I found frustrating and ineffective. A colleague suggested I try their karate club (Seishin Ryu) and from my very first class seven years ago, I was hooked. I’ve loved every step of the journey since then and was incredibly proud to earn my Shodan last year.