Our Story

A Direct Lineage of Mastery

Transmission of Knowledge: Shihan Vassie Naidoo, Shihan Leo Lipinski, and Shihan Seiichi Fujiwara. This image captures three masters, representing the direct path of traditional Goju-Ryu Seiwa-Kai knowledge from Japan to our West LA mats. This legacy of mentorship is the foundation of everything we teach at Karate of LA.

In January 1991, Shihan Vassie Naidoo founded K.I.C.K. Shihan’s commitment to youth development stems from his upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa. As a South African-born Indian, Shihan Vassie faced systemic barriers that made it illegal to train alongside Caucasians. His teacher, Shihan Leo Lipinski, defied those laws, training him free of charge for many years.

Under Shihan Leo's mentorship, Vassie excelled, eventually achieving the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt (Hachidan) and serving as a senior leader within Global Seiwa-Kai Goju-Ryu. Shihan Vassie attributes his success in business and life to the disciplines learned on the mat. K.I.C.K. is the manifestation of his desire to "give back," ensuring that financial or social circumstances never stand in the way of a child's potential.

A Message from Shihan Vassie

"When I first opened the doors of Karate of LA in 1991, my goal wasn't just to teach children how to kick and punch. I wanted to build a sanctuary where the traditional values of Goju-Ryu—discipline, respect, and resilience—could help students navigate the challenges of the modern world."

Shihan Vassie Naidoo

Founder & Chief Instructor

The Goju-Ryu Lineage

1991 The Doors Open: Shihan Vassie Naidoo founded K.I.C.K. in West Los Angeles, bringing the authentic Goju-Ryu traditions he mastered in South Africa and Japan to our local community.

The Japan Connection Global Leadership: As a senior leader in Seiwa-Kai International, Shihan regularly travels to the world headquarters in Japan, ensuring our students receive the highest standard of technically accurate instruction.

2025 Expanding the Mission: Our move to Santa Monica Blvd marks the official launch of The K.I.C.K. Crew—rebranding our youth programs to better serve the next generation of confident leaders in West LA.

The Philosophy of Balance

Shihan Vassie and instructors with a K.I.C.K. Crew student

A Family of Martial Artists: More than just a dojo, we are a community dedicated to character and growth.

Our history is anchored in the principle of Goju-Ryu: the harmony of "Go" (Hard) and "Ju" (Soft). We believe that true strength isn't just physical—it is the balance of a disciplined body and a compassionate heart.

See how we use this philosophy to build student goals →

Our Non-Profit Heart

As a 501(c)(3) organization, our mission is rooted in the West LA community. We believe martial arts should be accessible to every child. When you join the K.I.C.K. Crew, you are supporting a program that builds leaders for our entire city.

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