shifu

Shifu Christopher J. Goedecke, Wind School headmaster, 8th dan, has been a career sensei for over fifty-one years. He is the author of Rebel Isshinryu: The 57 Challenges, Internal Karate: Mind Matters and the Seven Gates of Power, The Soul Polishers Apprentice: A Martial Kumite About Personal Evolution, The Wind Warrior: Training of a Karate Champion, and Smart Moves, A Kid’s Guide To Self Defense. He founded the Martial Art Directory Association of New Jersey, which published A Guide To The Martial Arts of New Jersey (1984). He has published many articles and teaching stories in trade magazines. Goedecke was one of twenty-five professionals selected to express his training philosophy in the book, Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching (Frog Ltd.) Goedecke is the inventor of the strategy martial art card game, GrandMaster. He has appeared in Who’s Who in American Karate and Who’s Who In The East and on television and radio demonstrating for his martial contributions. He has studied Okinawan Isshinryu, Yang style Tai Chi, Aikido, and is an expert in Kiko or Internal karate-do technique. He serves as senior counsel for the Wu Shin Tao and is an ordained Buddhist Bodhisattva Warrior Monk in the Chen Yen Shingon Mikkyo sect.

Goedecke began karate training in 1968 at the International School of Judo and Karate in Summit, New Jersey (see: Masters magazine, The Isshin Kempo Way, 2013 Summer issue). After graduating Fairfield University in 1973, with a BS in Business Administration, he became a senior instructor for the Isshin Kempo Association, which grew into one of the East Coast’s largest karate organizations during the 1970s. Goedecke became the system’s successor in 2000.

Goedecke is also an Adjunct Lecturer in Physical Education at Drew University where he has taught karate since 1984. He offers an extensive knowledge of martial technique, principles, psychology, philosophy, and metaphysical insights, which he shares through his intimate, compassionate, and dynamic teaching approach. Goedecke is a noted New Jersey teacher and a proponent of the many benefits of Traditional karate training.