Business Q&A: Goshinkan Dojo

Have you always yearned to learn how to protect yourself, but felt intimidated by the idea of being a self-defense newcomer and walking into an actual martial arts school for your first lesson?

Jeff Lovering, sensei of Goshinkan Dojo at 1754 Merrick Ave., would love to change that scary conception for you. Lovering has been in business of self-defense for more than 30 years and recently spoke to Patch about his experiences in teaching people hot to keep themselves safe on the streets.

Tell us about the style of jiujitsu your teach at Goshinkan Dojo.

I began training back in 1976 at the Silent Flute in Merrick. I was recently promoted to eighth degree black belt. The style is a Japanese jiujitsu system; it’s not the Brizillian ‘roll around on the floor’ type. The concepts are a little different. We’re considered the mother of the other martial arts. We have the kicks and punches of Karate, the joint manipulation of Aikido and the in-fighting of Judo.

What approach to do you take with the training of your students?

We specialize in personal safety classes and kids’ confidence-building classes. One of the big features we have is that there are no contracts. I have students with me here 20 years without a contract. That’s a testament to the program that we run here.

It’s a month-to-month basis here, which is easier on people if they have to take a few weeks off for something – they’re not paying for something they’re not getting. This is not a hard-sell place here. We have a family atmosphere here where people can come in and learn how to protect themselves and their families.

Tell us about your experience in the martial arts.

I played sports for many years. As a child, I wanted to take martial arts, but my father was afraid I’d get hurt. When I became an adult, I moved to Long Island from Queens and shortly after that I started taking a self-defense program with the Town of Hempstead and I really liked it and started training seriously.

What made you want to go into the business of passing your knowledge onto others?

The instructor that I had went out of business and I was his children’s instructor and had a large following. I loved what I did so much that I decided to try it on my own, so I rented an American Legion Hall, and soon after that I opened my first professional location in Bellmore in 1985. We were there for 23 years, after which we moved to Merrick, where we've been for the past seven years.

Why the move to Merrick?

Our lease was up and the rent had gone through the roof. I found this location in Merrick, which had been empty for three years. I’m thrilled here. We have 32 car parking right outside my door, there’s shopping out front, food places, and it works out wonderfully.

Tell us about your community service efforts.

We do fundraisers, we hold self-escape classes called Training For Life and whenever we do a program, we raise money for animal rescue.

What do you like about owning and operating a business in the Merrick area?

I like the community. It’s a very strong, good community. I like the people who live and shop here and my first dojo that I started training at was here – I got my first black belt right here in Merrick.