Learn About Our Professional Martial Arts Staff
All TKA Instructors are trained to ensure that our martial arts classes are safe, effective and fun. They go through an intensive 3 Year Instructor Certification Program. Our Instructors must complete 900 hours of physical training, 4500 hours of practical teaching time and 1200 hours of technical training before ever having the honor and privilege or working with your family!
OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE DEDICATED AND MOTIVATED TO HELPING YOU ACHIEVE BLACK BELT SUCCESS!
During these martial arts training classes, the focus is on more than just teaching martial arts skills. Instructors also learn how to work with all students, tailoring their martial arts teaching methods to fit the individual child. Emphasis is put on encouragement and positive correction.
In addition, our Team of Martial Arts Professionals are experts in the areas of Personal and Character Development! They teach S.T. A. R (Stop Think Act and Review) Personal Development Curriculum in conjunction with the Jefferson Foundation and Zig Ziglar’s “I Can” Character Development Training.
Our martial arts instructors are committed to teaching the physical skills of martial arts while applying attitude-shaping exercises aimed at bringing out the best character and physical potential in each student. Through weekly martial arts training, instructors advance their own martial art and educational knowledge to become even more effective martial arts teachers.
TKA Instructors are required to maintain their personal level of martial arts knowledge. They are expected to take class on a regular basis and test at least once per year.
OUR TEAM OF HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!
More About Our TKA Instructors...
Gustavo Larrea: TKA Founder and President,
With over 35 years experience, Sensei Larrea’s teachers reads like a “Who’s Who” In the Martial Arts. He holds Black Belts in Tae Kwon do, Shotokai, Shotokan and Yamani Ryu.
He has studied extensively under Martial Arts Legends such as Grand Master Pong Ki Kim (Tae Kwon do), Toyotaro Miyazaki (ShotoKai), Alex Sternberg, Richard Amos, Dr. Milorad Stricevic, John Mullen, Duscan Dacic and Dragon Skirbic (Shotokan).
Amongst these great Masters, the most influential has been Miyazaki Sensei. They met in 1979 and Mr. Larrea began working directly under Master Miyazaki in 1981.
What attracted Sensei Larrea to Miyazaki is that besides having impeccable technique, Miyazaki Sensei is the epitome of the modern Karate Master. He taught Larrea how to work harder than he ever thought possible. How to lead by example with the energy for excellence.
But the greatest gift Miyazaki could ever give his young disciple was how to love his students…How to treat them with dignity and respect.
And above all, how to help them strive for Black Belt Excellence!
Sensei Larrea learned these lessons well and now close to 30 years later, he passes not only his knowledge on but his passion and love for students on to his own Instructors!
With the advent of Mixed Martial Arts, Sensei Larrea continues to further his studies in Judo under Kyoshi Shiina, Weaponry and Karate under Kyoshi Nishime, Kickboxing under World Champion Paul Vizzio and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under UFC Contender, Joe Scarola.
Today, almost forty years after beginning his martial arts training, Sensei Larrea has devoted himself to the strengthening of young people’s characters and the strengthening of the family as a unit.
Being a father of 6 himself, his goal is to help America get stronger one Black Belt at a time!
“Karate is a journey. It’s not about the belt or the title, it’s about whom you have to become in order to earn them.”
--Gustavo Larrea
Larry Batista: Head Instructor Bethpage, NY
An aspiring Kickboxer and Mixed Martial Artist. Mr. Batista is a National Award Winning Instructor. In 2005 he was awarded “The Most Inspiring Instructor Award” by the National Federation of Black Belt Schools. This award is a testimony to his work ethic and dedication to excellence.
When Mr. Batista was only nine his father passed away. His mother felt that he was going to need a positive male role model and that is when Mr. Batista and Sensei Larrea met.
As a child, he had a great deal of energy but over the years he settled down, focused and decided to be …
On a Quest to be His Best!.
Sensei Batista is a Graduate of TKA’s Instructors Program and is presently embarking on a kickboxing career with fights scheduled throughout the year.
More importantly, Mr. Batista has dedicated himself to Community Service.
He is a sought after Public Speaker doing talks on Child & Public safety, Bully Busters, Fire Safety & Stranger Danger.
His goal is to help people uncover their true potential!
