About The Workshop

Preserving the Spirit and Practice of Authentic Okinawan Karate & Kobujutsu

Welcome to The Karate Workshop.

Here, you can discover more about who we are, what I teach, and why. Whether you're new to the martial arts or returning after years away, I hope to answer your questions and give you a clear sense of what makes our approach to Karate and Kobujutsu unique and valuable.

Icon of two martial artists — one in a fighting stance, one holding a bō — representing the Karate and Kobujutsu taught at The Karate Workshop.

What is The Karate Workshop?

The Karate Workshop is a place to train and rediscover what authentic martial arts offer. We offer a return to traditional principles through focused, respectful training emphasizing practical skills and personal development, allowing each to reach their full potential.

We teach two Okinawan martial traditions, both known for their depth and effectiveness:

  • Okinawan Gōjū-Ryū Karate – a close-quarters system of self-preservation that combines hard strikes with soft, circular movements and integrates grappling, throwing, and groundwork

  • Yamanni Chinen-Ryū Bōjutsu – a dynamic and traditional Okinawan weapons system rooted in centerline theory, fluid motion, and power transmission, Yamanni-Ryū offers a rare insight into the original movements that shaped Okinawan martial arts

Our classes are open to teens and adults, whether you're brand new, a seasoned practitioner, or returning after years away. Our methodology is simple: train honestly and diligently and discover what traditional martial arts can do for your body, mind, and spirit.

Karate practitioner standing at the base of a winding path leading to a mountain and rising sun, symbolizing discipline, purpose, and personal growth.

Why The Workshop?

Authentic Karate matters still. In a world full of distractions and shallow trends, we believe in something more meaningful.

Our mission is to help people grow stronger — physically, mentally, and personally — through the study of Authentic Okinawan Karate and Kobujutsu.

  • We train in ways that were never intended for sport or spectacle

  • We value technical skill as much as character development

  • We teach with a purpose — not to entertain but to empower

By preserving these traditions and making them relevant today, we aim to offer something timeless — one student, one class, one honest effort at a time.

Four martial artists in different training poses — striking, grappling, lifting, and bowing — representing the well-rounded curriculum at The Karate Workshop.

What Will I Learn at The Workshop?

At The Karate Workshop, you'll learn more than just techniques — you'll develop skills and awareness that extend beyond the dōjō.

Our training, in addition to Gōjū-Ryū Karate and Yamanni Chinen-Ryū Kobujutsu, includes a range of complementary practices:

  • Junbi Undō – preparatory exercises to loosen the body and activate movement pathways

  • Hōjō Undō – traditional strength and conditioning tools like chi-ishi, nigiri-game, and makiwara

  • Kigu Undō – functional training using bodyweight, kettlebells, clubs, and more

  • Kata – formal sequences that encode time-tested martial strategies, tactics, and techniques

  • Kakie – partner-based drills that teach structure, sensitivity, and timing under pressure

  • Bunkai Ōyō – the analysis and application of the martial strategies, tactics, and techniques of kata 

  • Kakedamashi – controlled, cooperative sparring used to pressure-test structure and response

You'll learn a complete fighting system that incorporates Atemi Waza (strikes and targeting), Tegumi (standing grappling, clinch, and control), and Ne Waza (ground survival and positional defense).

Portrait of Samuel Wykoff, instructor at The Karate Workshop, wearing a traditional karate gi

Who Is The Workshop Instructor?

Authentic training requires an experienced guide.

Samuel Wykoff, chief instructor and founder of The Karate Workshop, is a lifelong martial artist, licensed architect, and certified educator with over forty years of experience.

His background includes:

  • Graded Yōn-dan (4th-degree black belt) in Okinawan Gōjū-Ryū Karate

  • Graded San-dan (3rd-degree black belt) in Yamanni Chinen-Ryū Kobujutsu

  • Lived and trained in Japan, and trained in Okinawa — the birthplace of Karate

  • Trained directly under Chinen Teruo Sensei and Oshiro Toshihiro Shihan

Samuel's teaching is grounded in tradition but tailored to each student. He combines structure with flexibility, precision with patience, and offers guidance with respect, clarity, and calm intensity. He continues to train privately with Dong Tran Sensei and his small group of dedicated students.

Three karate students standing side by side in matching stances, representing focus, discipline, and respectful training at The Karate Workshop.

What Is The Workshop Like?

The Karate Workshop is different from most modern dōjō. Here, tradition is alive — not just in what we do, but in how we do it.

We train in an atmosphere of:

  • Calm focus – classes are quiet, purposeful, and centered

  • Mutual respect – every student is treated with dignity and courtesy

  • Sincere effort – no ego, no theatrics, no shortcuts

Students are expected to show up with curiosity, humility, and consistency. In return, they receive guidance, community, and the opportunity to improve at their own pace. Whether you're seeking strength, structure, or simply a place to refocus — this is a space to do the work and let the results speak for themselves.

Karate instructor standing in front of three students, symbolizing structured guidance, authentic lineage, and a focused training environment.

Why Train at the Workshop?

Not all martial arts programs are created equal. If you're looking for depth, clarity, and a return to what matters, The Karate Workshop offers an increasingly rare and valuable path.

Here's what sets us apart:

  • Authentic Lineage – direct roots in Okinawan Gōjū-Ryū Karate and Yamanni Chinen-Ryū Kobujutsu

  • Thoughtful Instruction – structured classes tailored to individual needs

  • Practical Skill Building – movement, coordination, self-protection, and mindset

  • Respectful Culture – no competition, no flash, just focused training

Whether you're here to build strength, improve focus, or explore what authentic martial arts offer, we offer a place where you can train with purpose and grow with integrity.

Karate student walking through a traditional Okinawan gate, symbolizing the first step on the martial arts journey at The Karate Workshop.

How Do I Start?

You don't need to be perfect — you just need to begin.

If you're seeking something real—something you can build on over time—we invite you to take that first step. No experience is necessary, and no special equipment is required. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to work.

Getting started is simple:

  • Attend a lesson – new students are welcome to observe, participate, or take a private lesson

  • Reach out directly – have a question? Talk to Samuel

  • Stay connected – subscribe for updates or follow us on Facebook

We're based in Stillwater, NJ, and work with students throughout Sussex County and the surrounding area. At The Karate Workshop, you'll find honest training, a thoughtful approach, and a place to grow.

“I hope that the next generations will not only improve technically but also know how to share their knowledge. People must pass on the traditions and not lose them.”

— Chinen Teruo (1941 - 2015)