The Heart of AKI Miami: Why All of Our Instructors Are Homegrown

When Angel and Regina Gonzalez founded the American Karate Institute™ (AKI Miami) in 1983, they built more than just a martial arts school—they built a family. For over four decades, AKI Miami has been a place where students not only learn martial arts, but also grow in confidence, discipline, and character.

One of the most unique things about American Karate Institute™ is that every single instructor started right here as a student. We’ve never hired from the outside. Instead, we’ve made it our tradition to raise, guide, and develop our own instructors from within.

This ensures that when your child steps onto our mats, they’re learning from someone who has lived the AKI Miami journey from the very beginning.

A Legacy of Dedication

Our first “homegrown” instructor, Master Darryle Lipsky, joined American Karate Institute™ at just 12 years old. His lifelong dedication to martial arts and to AKI Miami has shaped the strong foundation we stand on today.

Following in that tradition, Sensei Ulysses Gonzalez, the son of Angel and Regina Gonzalez, has been part of American Karate Institute™ since birth. While he officially started training at age 5, AKI Miami has always been a part of his life. His journey is a powerful example of how AKI is not just a school—it’s a family legacy passed from one generation to the next.

Instructors Who Grew Up on the Mats

• Sensei Nicholas Rios began his training at 6 years old and has spent decades developing both his skills and his leadership at AKI Miami.

• Sensei Alejandro Bermudez also started at age 5 and now plays an essential role in guiding students at American Karate Institute™.

• Our assistants, Miss Emma, who joined at 11, and Mr. Zak, who began at 6, are the next generation of leaders being mentored the AKI Miami way.

Why This Matters for Our Students

Because all of our instructors grew up within American Karate Institute™, they understand exactly what our students are going through. They’ve faced the same belt tests, practiced the same techniques, and experienced the same challenges and triumphs that today’s students face at AKI Miami.

This creates a unique bond between instructor and student—one built on empathy, shared experiences, and a true understanding of the AKI way.

A Tradition of Quality and Care

We are extremely selective when it comes to who we allow to lead our classes. Our assistants and instructors go through years of training, mentorship, and hands-on experience before stepping into a teaching role. At AKI Miami, we don’t just create martial artists—we create leaders and role models who carry forward the legacy Angel and Regina Gonzalez began with the founding of American Karate Institute™ in 1983.

A Family That Trains Together, Stays Together

For more than 40 years, American Karate Institute™ has been a family-built and family-run school. Our “homegrown” instructors are living proof of the strength of that tradition.

When you join AKI Miami, you’re not just signing up for martial arts—you’re joining a family that has been growing, training, and thriving together for generations.

👉 Schedule a free trial class today and experience the AKI family tradition for yourself.