Deaf Program

Class Locations & TimesThe Seido Karate Deaf Program is the realization of the hopes of Senpai Phyllis Illeges, who in 1988 approached Kaicho about karate taught in American Sign Language (ASL). With Kaicho's support and cooperation from the NYC Board of Education, the Program for Deaf Adults at LaGuardia Community College began at Julia Richmond High School side-by-side with the Seido branch taught by Sensei Sana Bennett. From the very beginining the interaction and shared learning of deaf and hearing students brought new strength and understanding to both programs. In 1991 the program moved to Lexington Center in Queens, where it remained until chronic arthritis forced Senpai Phyllis to retire from training and teaching.

By 1992, the deaf program moved to Honbu and adult students began to take regular classes with Kaicho and other instructors. This was a change for the students moving from small ASL taught classes to much largrer classes interpreted into Sign. The new arrangement showed deaf and hearing stundents alike that karate competence is not measured by one's ability to hear and speak and that Seido karate is truly for all people.

The Deaf Children's Program began in January 1994, with some of the original students training now as green belts. Richard Hernandez became the first black belt from the progyam in October 1994 and Ariel Messina, already an assistant, in the children's program, received his black belt in the following year.

Many people are responsible for the success of the Seido Deaf Program: Senpai Phyllis, who had the first dream; Kaicho, who has continually encouraged and supported the program and the students; and the hearing Seido students of all ranks, who through the years have taken the challenge of learning with and from the deaf students.

For more information, please contact:

Seido Karate
61 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
212-924-0511

Class Schedule

Saturday

11:00am-12:00pm

Honbu