Instructors
Grandmaster Herb Johnson
- International Style Head for Shorei Goju Ryu Karate
- Masters Ranking in Okinawan Weaponry
- 3 Time USKA World Champion
- AKA Hall of Fame Member
- Trias International Hall of Fame Member
- AKA Coach of the Year
- 2 Times USKA Instructor of the Year Award
- Star of Film "Pushed Too Far 1988
- Battle of Atlanta Centurion Club
- PKC "Man of the Decade" Award 2000
- Trainer of 29 World Champions
- Trainer of 75 National Champions
- Trainer of 203 State Champions
Herb Johnson began his Martial Arts training in 1963 as a high school wrestler. In 1968, Mr. Johnson attended Ball State University to pursue a teaching and coaching degree. This is where he met Bill Wallace, who introduced him to Shorin Ryu Karate. Mr Wallace and Mr. Johnson became roommates for the next three years. When Bill Wallace left Indiana to do his graduate work at Memphis State University, Mr. Johnson trained with Glenn Keeney in Goju Ryu Karate. Upon his return to Indiana in December 1973, Mr. Wallace opened the Olympic Karate Studio where he was working for Ken Knudson and teaching Chi Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do, which he had learned in Memphis. Herb Johnson was again Mr. Wallace’s first pupil. In June of 1974, Bill Wallace returned to Memphis to work for Elvis Presley at the Tennessee Karate Institute. Herb Johnson started working for Ken Knudson, owner of OKS and now learning and teaching Shorei Goju Ryu. In order to research this style further, in 1975, Mr. Johnson started attending seminars taught by Robert Trias, the founder of Shorei Goju Ryu. By 1979, Robert Trias appointed Herb Johnson as Style Head of Shorei Goju Ryu.
Mr. Johnson was the 8th ranked fighter in the United States by Karate Illustrated Magazine in 1979 and was an active and successful competitor from 1968 to 1986. He was only the second person (Bill Wallace was the first) to win the Grand Champion Title at the USKA World Championships three consecutive times (1984-1986). Other top finishes include: 2nd Place, Masters Kata, USKA Grand Nationals (1982); Grand Champion Burley Wagner’s Prairie States Open (1978, 1979); 1st Place, light heavyweight, fighting, AKA Grand Nationals (1976); Grand Champion, Bob Yarnell’s Gateway Open (1978, 1979); 1st Place fighting, and Team Captain, Battle of Atlanta’s "National Team Championships" (1978, 1979).
Mr. Johnson appeared in a Martial Arts video, "Escape…with Herb Johnson" (Clark & Black Productions, 1987) and has been featured numerous times in the media. He also starred in the film "Pushed Too Far" with Claude Akins (1988).
Mr. Johnson has been a tournament official since 1974 and has judged over 10 world title fights for the PKA and five world title fights for the PKC. He serves as International Style Head for the Shorei Goju Ryu system, was a member of the USKA’s Executive Committee and was on the Rules Committee of the PKA. Mr. Johnson currently serves as the Business Consultant for the PKC.
Mr. Johnson’s honors include: AKA "Hall of Fame" Award (1977); Trias International Society "Hall of Fame" (1979); USKA "Instructor of the Year" (1978) and AKA "Coach of the Year" (1978). In 1993 the PKC established "The Herb Johnson Most Spirited Fighter Award" to be presented each year at the PKC State Awards Banquet to the competitor who has demonstrated the tenacity and spirit to accomplish lifelong goals.
Mr. Johnson was inducted into the Battle of Atlanta Centurion Club in 1998. The Caption Reads, "One man has enthusiasm for 30 minutes…Another for 30 days….But it is the man who keeps it for 30 years who will truly make a difference…Herb Johnson, you are hereby inducted into the Battle of Atlanta Centurion Club for those whose enthusiasm and unwavering principles have truly made a difference. Our deepest gratitude and respect goes out to you. Joe Corley and the Battle of Atlanta on behalf of the world martial arts community."
November 2000 at the PKC National Awards Banquet Herb Johnson was awarded, "PKC Man of the Decade 1990 - 2000", "for your sustained Loyalty & Dedication to the Professional Karate Commission." This award was presented by Mr. Glenn R. Keeney, President of the PKC.
Herb Johnson continues to attend seminars and clinics in order to increase his knowledge and has always remained close to his teachers (Bill Wallace, Glenn Keeney, Ken Knudson - Deceased, and Robert Trias - Deceased) who became his life long friends as well as role models.
Renee Anderson
Mrs. Renee Anderson started Martial Arts training in 1981 and studied the Tiger Style for about one and a half years, due to a slow curriculum, she lost interest, however she missed the exercise and challenges.
"In 1986 I was having a conversation with my sister and nephew, they were taking Karate and invited me to attend a class with her. On February 28, 1986 I took my first class and signed up for a Black Belt Program the first night. I have been a student of Herb Johnson ever since." Says Mrs. Anderson.
As a Green Belt Mrs. Anderson competed in tournaments for about eight months. She learned that she did not have the competitive drive to want to be # 1. Her love for Shorei Goju Ryu is in the self defense, katas, weapons, then sparring. Mrs. Anderson states, "There is always so much to learn. You are always learning new techniques, seeing new life skills, even after teaching or attending a class for the thousandth time. I find that I am always perfecting something, making it a little better with each repetition."
Mrs. Anderson earned her Assistant Instructor Award as a Brown Belt. In 1989 Mrs. Anderson recieved her Black Belt and Instructor Award and started teaching Intermediate and Advanced classes. Mrs. Anderson is a Certified Instructor and continues to teach her two classes every Tuesday night at our Fishers location.
Mrs. Anderson’s son, Connor, started his Karate training in our Lil Dragon Program, just before he turned three years old. He will be promoting to 1st Brown August 26, 2009 and will earn his Jr. First Degree Black Belt in December at age six. Connor finds the same LOVE for Karate that his Mom has.
Sensei William Blackstone, Chief Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt (San–Dan), Washington Street Location
Sensei Blackstone began his martial arts training at Herb Johnson Karate in 2004. He always had a high level of respect for Karate but was unable to find a program that matched his needs in his native Southern California. Taking classes with his wife Tara at the Fishers location, they quickly advanced through the ranks and each earned their First Degree Black Belts in December 2005. Sensei Blackstone also achieved his goal of winning the title of Indiana State Karate Champion that same year. Shortly afterward, Sensei Blackstone began teaching classes and realized how much he loved helping students achieve their own goals. He earned his Third Degree Black Belt in December 2008, and is working toward earning a Fourth Degree Black Belt in 2011.
Sensei Blackstone is considered by his peers to be one of the best instructors in the United States because he places an emphasis on helping his students and their families learn together. He knows that families and individuals alike can achieve the goal of balance of the mind, body, and spirit through Karate. Sensei Blackstone teaches all levels of classes at Herb Johnson Karate.
Sensei Christopher Doerr, 3rd Degree Black Belt, North/Geist Location
Chris Doerr began his karate career with Herb Johnson 6 years ago. His initial interest in the martial arts was sparked one fateful night when he was robbed and beaten at gun-point on the west side of Indianapolis. Karate was the path he chose to learn the art of self-defense. He thoroughly enjoys karate as a means of learning all aspects of holds and immobilizations and martial arts protection in hand-to-hand, club, knife, and gun self-defense.
Chris maintains a strict discipline of 5 hours of karate per week with over 1,500 hours of logged class time. He became a Sensei in May 2007 and has over 500 hours of instructor time. He’s a member of the PKC, USGA, and USANKF and has competed in numerous tournaments. Certifications include all Protech, Weapons, and a PKC Official. Career highlight was competing in kumite sparring at the USANKF Nationals in Las Vegas, NV against one of the coaches of the Danish National Team. USANKF sparring is particularly intense as protective gear is minimal and no head-gear allowed.
He is married to Colleen and has 4 children. One of his daughters is autistic—a neurological disorder that involves delayed mental development, attention deficit, and impaired social interaction and communication. He enjoys working with students of all levels from senior adult black belts to all novice youth levels.
Sensei Steve Hankins
Sensei Steve Hankins is a Sixth Degree Black Belt, Master Hankins began his training with Grand Master Herb Johnson in February 1977. Sensei Hankins started assisting Herb Johnson with classes as a Brown Belt in 1984 and earned his First Degree Black Belt in 1985. Master Hankins has competed successfully during the past thirty years, with his most satisfying years being 1997 and 1998 while winning State and National Championship titles. Also during 1998 Sensei Hankins won 2nd place at the USKA World Championships and was earned the PKC Black Belt Sportsmanship Award.
Master Hankins is committed to teaching Tuesdays and Thursdays at both Washington Street and Fishers locations, depending on where he is needed the most. Sensei Hankins will tell you, "Karate is a way of life" and tries to live by its ethics. He is compassionate and understanding to all his students needs and is loyal to his family and friends.
Sensei Randy Lowder
Sensei Randy Lowder started his Martial Arts training in 1981, at age nine, at a small Tae Kwon do School in Greenfield, Indiana. He earned his 4th Kup in 1983, but the school closed before he could reach Black Belt. Mr. Lowder’s Mom had heard about Herb Johnson and enrolled him into the Black Belt Club. In 1984, young Randy Lowder found himself Placing in the 11 & 12 year old division at the USKA World Championship. He got his picture taken with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Grand Master Robert A. Trias, and 1984 USKA World Champion Herb Johnson.
1985 Mr. Lowder earned the rank of Jr. 2nd Degree Black Belt. During late 1989 Mr. Lowder’s family moved out of Indiana, and years later he found himself a 'single father' of his two year old daughter, Taylor. Mr. Lowder knows that the focus, discipline, and self confidence that he learned in Karate helped him to be the best father that he could be.
Eventually, , Randy moved back home to Greenfield, IN with Taylor, to be near his mom and dad, so Taylor could have Grandparent influence. When Taylor showed interest in Karate, Mr. Lowder and Taylor re-enrolled at Herb Johnson Karate on the Leadership Program. Taylor promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt August 26, 2009, and Mr. Randy Lowder is working toward his 3rd Degree Black Belt. As a Certified Instructor for Shorei Goju Ryu Karate, Mr. Lowder is devoted to giving back to Karate, what Karate has given to him.
Sensei Dean Omori
Sensei Dean Omori is a Fifth Degree Black Belt who has been training under Herb Johnson since November of 1986. He earned his First Degree Black Belt on August 26, 1989. Soon after earning his Black Belt, Mr. Omori started teaching child and adult classes on a weekly basis. A Certified Shorei Goju Ryu Instructor, Sensei Omori is also Certified to teach all Protech Classes, (Pro Technology, wrist locks, arm bars, choke holds, leg locks, floor strategies and escapes, throwing techniques, and immobilizations. He is also certified with all the Shorei Goju Ryu weapons, Bo, Nunchuku, Sai, Tonfa, Kama, and Eiku.
Other than teaching at Herb Johnson Karate, Fishers Location, one night per week, Sensei Omori and his wife, of more than 21 years, Caroline have both been active in their church in a wide varieties ministries, including children’s church, worship leading, Bible study groups, women’ and men’ ministries and missions. He has worked as an engineer in the military and the automotive industry of the past 26 years. Sensei Omori holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.
Sensei Zach Yde
Sensei Zach Yde is a Third Degree Black Belt and the Chief Instructor at the Fishers Location. Mr. Yde began his Martial Arts training in 1994, both as a wrestler and Karate student under Shihan Sensei Marvin Massey, (Shihan Massey is a 7th Degree Black Belt under Herb Johnson). Mr. Yde is a dedicated practitioner and teacher of Karate, helping students of all ages set and commit to their goals. He is constantly seeking to improve his knowledge in all areas of self-defense, physiology, and philosophy to bring only the best to his students. Having earned the status of Chief Instructor, he understands the importance of reinforcing positive values, building self esteem and developing confidence in his students so they may improve their quality of life. As a firm believer and living proof that anything is possible when one dedicates himself to something, he seeks to instill this principle into his students regardless of age.