"Kaizen Karate is definitely not a “cookie-cutter” karate studio that you see in most shopping centers. My boys have been with Kaizen Karate for almost 2 years and have had contact with all of the instructors. Coach V and his staff are a special group of people. They are not only incredibly talented and hardworking, but they love teaching and passing on their knowledge and experience. My husband and I love to watch the instructors teach because they are amazing with the kids. They are people that you can feel confident in having your children look up to. It is a well rounded education and the students learn not only karate skills but discipline, respect, and the attitude that winning isn’t the only thing that matters as long as you have tried your best. These are lessons that I have seen my boys use in daily life. Watching how Coach V and his staff interact with the kids made me want to resume my karate training. Coach V brings the same love of teaching to the adult class. It doesn’t matter if you are new or experienced; he has a way to make it fit everyone’s needs. I find myself looking forward to the classes every week… even the dreaded 1000 calorie workouts. We are so fortunate to have found this unique school. "
Our Team
Viran Ranasinghe (Head Instructor)
“Coach V” has 24 years of experience in the martial arts, having spent the majority of his life committed to the trade. He began his journey with karate at five years old and earned his black belt in 1998 through Hill's Hitters Karate and Master Instructor Dr. Phillip Hill. Coach V went on to earn his business degree at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland in College Park. In 2003 Coach V founded Kaizen Karate with 8 students in his first class. Today, the school has classes 7 days per week in MD, DC & VA and offers classes in karate, yoga, and mixed martial arts. Coach V continues his training in Wing Chun, Judo, and Aikido styles of martial arts. Through motivational talks, creative instructional strategies, and personal example he guides all of his students on the path of continuous improvement.
Chris Marr (Instructor)
Chris Marr is a second degree black belt with over 10 years of martial arts experience and over 5 years of instructional experience. He has trained in various disciplines, including: Karate, Kung Fu, and Boxing, and has also studied the history of Asian martial arts
Zach Knox (Instructor)
Training since 1987, Zach Knox holds black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do. Over the years, he has training in different arts such as Kung Fu, Shorin Ryu and Goju Ryu Karate, Kickboxing, and Escrima. In his time away from teaching and training, his hobbies include acting, directing, producing, football, hiking, screenplay writing, reading, boxing, and rock climbing.
Steve Schwartz (Instructor)
Steven Schwartz, MD took his first Karate class in 1975. With 7 years of dedicated training since the late 1980’s he holds first degree brown belts in Shotokan and Shin Sei Ryu. He has also had experience in Aikido and bojitsu. He joined Kaizen Karate in 2008 and earned his black belt in 2010. As a practicing Family Physician in Montgomery County and faculty at the Georgetown University School of Medicine he brings a unique perspective of health and knowledge of anatomy and physiology to the Kaizen Karate Team. Coach Steve also enjoys biking and yoga.
Christina Matula (Instructor)
Christina received her black belt in 2006 and has trained in various style including Krav Maga and Kenpo. As an elementary school teacher, she strongly believes that martial arts can benefit students both in the classroom and in life. Christina also enjoys singing, running and photography.
Paul McFarland (Instructor)
Paul began training in the martial arts back in 1985. He received his Black belt in non-traditional Tang Soo Do under the guidance of Master Instructor, Dr. Phillip Hill and Hill’s Hitters karate. Paul has over 20 years of competitive tournament fighting experience, winning many nationally rated tournaments such as The U.S. Capital Classics and The Battle of Baltimore. He also has experience in Boxing (Round One, Adrian Davis), Thai Boxing (Evolve Academy, Mike Moses) and Personal Training (Fitness First, Olney). He began teaching as Master Instructor of Ring Dragon Martial Arts in 2003 and has been teaching with Kaizen Karate since 2009.
Laura Gubich (instructor - YOGA)
Laura Gubisch spent one and a half years studying Sanskrit and Yoga philosophy at the Divine Life Society is Rishikesh, India and various other ashrams. Laura currently teaches children's yoga classes in the D.C. area for children ages and 5-12. She taught yoga and meditation to children that were living in several orphanages in India, through The Miracle Foundations in Orissa and Shiva School in Kankhal. She is also experienced in teaching yoga to seniors through the P.G.C.C.C. SAGE program.
Laura studied Early Childhood Education and International Relations at The University of Maryland. She loves and adores children and is very excited to teach yoga to our students. She is very passionate about the practice of yoga and feels all people, children and adults, can benefit greatly from regular yoga practice.
Dena Kahn (Instructor - YOGA)
Dena was inspired to obtain her yoga teaching certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health after practicing for three years with Kripalu yoga teacher Priti Robyn Ross, whose classes were attended by everyone from dynamic 20 year-old professional dancers to older adults coping with the effects of aging and illness. Using safe alignment, connection with the breath, and mindfulness, Dena guides students through postures that will build strength, increase mobility, calm the mind, and encourage nonjudgmental awareness on and off the mat. Dena has over ten years of experience as an educator, working with children and adults of all ages. She has taken workshops with YogaKids and incorporates yogic practices in her classroom throughout the school day.
Amalie Malochee (Instructor - YOGA)
Amalie is a certified Next Generation Yoga teacherand has been teaching kids yoga in D.C. since 2010. She began her own practice of Iyengar yoga in early 2009as a student of John Schumacher. Throughher yoga teaching, Amalie strives to inspire creativity in children and to helpthem develop healthy and peaceful minds and bodies.
