Jerry Figgiani, 8th Dan Black Belt, is the President and Founder of Shorin Ryu Karate-Do International and the owner of East Coast Black Belt Academy, Budokan Dojo in Long Island, New York. He comes from a strong lineage of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu practitioners who have followed in the footsteps of Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine.

Starting his training in 1977, he has been teaching martial arts since 1988. Through his extensive background and experience, he has developed a unique way of bringing the philosophy of martial arts to everyday life activities. Because he has the ability to reach students of all ages and skill levels and help them understand karate’s movements, mechanics, and applications his seminars are universal to any karate system. As such, he has been invited to teach all over the world and was one of the first western instructors to have the honor of teaching at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan, the official government-supported center for learning the essence of traditional karate.