A student of traditional Goju-ryu Karate for over 2 decades, Sensei Barb Lamble is a member of Canadian Naha-te Goju Karate and a level 3 certified CNGK instructor. She is a Godan (5th degree black belt) and a student of Kyoshi Mike Robertson and Hanshi Jay Purdy.
Her experience teaching musical theory and piano to young children inspired Sensei Barb to develop a specialized Kinder Karate program for young children. She has been teaching LiveFit programs for high school physical education for over 15 years and provides Women's Self Defence instruction to local community groups.
Sensei Barb opened Elora Karate Dojo at the request of Hanshi Jay Purdy in 2011 to ensure that CNGK karate was represented in the community after his retirement from active teaching. Sensei Barb's creative and flexible approach to students of all ages and abilities helps them to reach their highest potential in the art of karate.
Kyoshi Mike has been teaching and training Goju Karate for over 35 years. He is a 7th degree black belt and the longest training student of Hanshi Jay Purdy. He was fortunate to receive personal instruction from Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi, direct successor to the founder of Goju-ryu Karate, Master Chojun Miyagi.
A Kata specialist, Kyoshi Mike's dedicated study of Goju-ryu gives him a unique depth of understanding of the art. He is a Head Instructor on the CNGK Black Belt grading board, and responsible for curriculum delivery at Elora Karate Dojo.
In 1998, Kyoshi Mike founded Elmira Karate Dojo and brought many students to black belt level. After 23 years of continuous operation, Elmira Karate Dojo decided to suspend operations when the 2020 global pandemic disrupted the dojo's ability to operate safely.
Kyoshi Mike and Sensei Barb were married in 2003 and offer a rare partnership at home and in the dojo. When they are not teaching and training, Kyoshi Mike and Sensei Barb can be found playing in their family rock band "Eagle Fang" or playing baseball with their son Cole.
