For more information contact:
Stacey McEvoy- Communications Manager
973-822-9622 x2241
Email: smcevoy@madisonymca.org
For Immediate Release

Madison Area YMCA’s Karate Program Offers Instructors
With Decades of Experience and Training

CAPTION: Chris Goedecke (Buddhist Hayashi Tomio), a nationally recognized author and karate expert, offers a dynamic martial program at the Madison Area YMCA

(Madison, NJ) February 6, 2015 - The Madison Area YMCA offers an exciting and dynamic karate program for children and adults taught by top-notch, dedicated professionals. Members can train from white to the Black Belt. The program offers instruction in Okinawan karate for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Karate students learn progressive skill development in a wide range of martial arts techniques including escape/releases from holds, standing grappling maneuvers, kick/punch/block skills, conflict resolution strategies, traditional kata, meditation, breath control and a Chinese Kempo yoga designed specifically to enhance flexibility for the martial artist.

Shifu Christopher J. Goedecke, a Hachidan (8th Degree Black Belt) and Buddhist monk, has 45 years of martial arts experience and has been teaching at the Madison Area YMCA since 1979. Goedecke is also an expert in Okinawan Kiko, a practice akin to Chinese Chi Kung. Goedecke has authored five books on martial arts. His most recent book, Internal Karate: Mind Matters And The Seven Gates Of Power, explores the fascinating subject of internal power. For children, 8 to12, Goedecke published The Unbreakable Board & The Red Dragon Surprise, about a young boy who must overcome his fear of failure, available at Amazon. Goedecke has appeared in Who's Who in American Karate and Who's Who in the East for his martial arts contributions.  Goedecke has appeared on cable television and radio programs demonstrating and discussing martial arts.  A prolific writer, he has published articles in trade magazines for more than 30 years. He will have a feature article in the upcoming 2015 Yearbook Edition of Official Karate this winter. Goedecke is also an adjunct lecturer at Drew University where he has taught karate since 1984.

Young Children 4-6 can practice karate with Thomas Maloney. A Drew University graduate, Maloney earned a B.A. in Language Arts where he majored in Chinese. He studied Chinese Kempo in Arizona and began training with Shifu Goedecke eight years ago. Maloney is an assistant instructor for all karate classes at the Madison Area YMCA. He competes in karate tournaments and currently holds a second degree Black Belt. 

Scott Margo is a black belt senior assistant teacher in the Y's karate classes for children.  An electrical engineer, Margo began training in Okinawan karate in 1989. Speaking for the karate staff, Margo says, "Karate is a way to improve upon a broad range of human interactions while gaining a deeper understanding of one's nature."

Sensei Joe Noonan, an advanced fifth degree Black Belt, complements the YMCA’s staff. He offers nearly thirty years of experience to the adult program on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

The breadth and depth of experience and true commitment by Shifu Goedecke and his staff in the ancient art of karate is unparalleled. For more information or to sign up for karate classes, visit www. madisonymca.org.

                                                                  ###