About Us

About Us

About Our School

Welcome to the US Budokai Karate of Clifton Park website! We appreciate your interest in our school and the opportunity to serve you and your family. A martial arts instructor and program director are standing by to assist you in joining a program that is a perfect fit for your martial arts education and fitness goals. In our 5000 square foot facility, each student has 100sq ft of personal training space. We offer programs for pre-school kids in tiny tiger karate, elementary-age kids junior karate, martial arts for teens and adults as well as traditional weapons. Master instructor Hanshi Russ Jarem, began training in 1977 and established our school in 1980 making US Budokai Karate of Clifton Park the oldest martial arts school in the Clifton Park area. We maintain a high teacher to student ratio and every karate class is instructed by adult instructors ranked 3rd-degree black belt or higher. Thank you for visiting the US Budokai Karate of Clifton Park website and we hope to see you soon!

Instructor/Owner

HANSHI RUSS JAREM, 8TH DAN Master Instructor | Owner Hanshi

Russ Jarem began his marital arts training in 1977 and has been the Master Instructor/Owner of U.S. Budokai Karate of Clifton Park since 1980. Hanshi Jarem graduated in 1972 from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, has a certificate in Health education and a permanent NYS Teacher Certification. He has guided hundreds of students to achieve the rank of black belt. He has thirty students at the rank of third degree or higher that currently train at the dojo. Hanshi Jarem studies and teaches the art of Japanese and Okinawan Weaponry (Kobudo). Hanshi Jarem founded Brave Belts, a program where he works weekly with the children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders at the Melodies Center of Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. Hanshi Jarem continues to actively teach all levels of students, from four-year-old Tiny Tigers to students in their eighties.

KYOSHI SUSAN WARZEK, 7TH DAN Head Instructor | Business Director

Kyoshi Susan Warzek is a 7th degree black belt and Head Instructor and Business Director of U.S. Budokai Karate of Clifton Park. Ms. Warzek began her marital arts training under Hanshi Jarem in 1983 and has over thirty years of marital arts training and instructing experience. Ms. Warzek graduated in 1993 with an Associate Degree in Business Administration from SUNY Empire State College and has a 2nd degree black belt in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu and is a member of the Kokusai Nippon Budo Kai and a student of Hanshi Carl Long. Ms. Warzek is also a direct student of Roy Goldberg (Shingen) Sensei and a member of the North American Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu where she has achieved the rank of 2nd degree black belt. A lifelong student of the martial arts, Ms. Warzek is uniquely qualified to bring the highest quality martial arts experience to all of our students and families.

US Budokai Karate of Clifton Park of Clifton has the most experienced staff in the area!

Kyoshi-Susan-Warzek

SENSEI MICHAEL FAVREAU, 4TH DAN

Sensei Michael Favreau started training at US Budokai Karate in 2002 at the age of six. Sensei currently holds a 4th degree black belt in Karate and a 3rd degree black belt in Kobodu (Okinawan Weapons). He has competed in numerous martial arts competitions and was named USBA/WBA North East Regional Competitor of the year three times and was the recipient of the Northeast Open Warriors Cup 2013-2015. Sensei Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from SUNY Albany in 2018 and joined the staff at US Budokai as a full time instructor after his graduation in June 2018.

Sensei-Michael

Why Choose U.S. Budokai Karate of Clifton Park?

Develop Self-esteem

With confidence comes enhanced self-esteem. We utilize a series of multiple goals that boost self-esteem levels. This builds greater self-respect and self-esteem in our martial arts students. Please note: Our martial arts instructors turn most quiet, shy and doubtful beginners into strong outgoing leaders that become powerful practitioners.

Learn Self-Discipline

The foundation of martial arts is the focus of self-discipline incorporated into a students training. Instant gratification, the I want it now, and lessons in self-restraint and discipline are learned traits for both children and adults. To succeed in life…this is one of many goals we have for our students. Our Instructors are here to serve.

happy parent with child

LISTEN TO WHAT OUR HAPPY PARENTS ARE SAYING

    • As parents, we have more confidence that our children are building their skills to better prepare them for life’s challenges. Their growth and personal development have been augmented by the many terrific role models and principles and ideals that they have been exposed to over the years at U.S. Budokai Karate. They have definitely achieved their goals along the way and look forward to more opportunities to continue growing in their knowledge of karate and the respect and value that it stands for.

Nicole Smith

    • At 70 may not be the best time to start karate but I did it to improve my flexibility and balance. I found that not only does it do that but I liked it. I am amazed at how much I have learned and humbled by how much there is to learn. A great program even for seniors

Gary Ladue

Thank you for being a part of our Golden Lions Karate! The more you do, the more you CAN DO!! Osu!

    • We looked at MANY different potential martial arts programs for our child. From the first meeting with Renshi Sue it was clear this place was different. You don't want the programs SO easy that they don't learn the actual art or develop the discipline, not SO hard they lose interest. This program hits the perfect balance. Hanshi Jarem Is TOUGH on them yet also tender and funny. Knows every kid. They seek his praise and follow his guidance. This has been terrific for our son, who is a sensory seeker, and while he's only been here since very end of April, I see improvement like I've never seen in anything else.   Every other dojo I've seen gives rank so they can keep parents $$$; not so here. Child's development first, period. There was this one time where it was was probably the first time this child ever heard no, and while your heart breaks a little with their tears (it was handled with dignity in private, but you could tell on his face later), you also know that it's probably one of the best things to happen to him. False self esteem (without the work) is actually highly damaging to kids, leading to depression and anxiety as young adults. Letting kids take some lumps is hard. Lots of dojos talk about character, but don't actually follow through. Here, they do. VERY compassionately, but firm. Guess who does the work now and has a new spring in his step? It's great to see.

Tiffany S.

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