Our Instructors
Sensei Robin McColley
4th Degree Black Belt
Sensei Robin McColley moved to the Ithaca area in 1991 and began her training in Seido Karate in May 1993. She began teaching basics, kumite and kick boxing classes for both adults and children in 1996 when she achieved the rank of shodan (1st degree black belt). Sensei Robin has been a direct student of Kaicho Nakamura since 2003.
In 2005, as a 4th degree black belt, she started the Trumansburg High School branch of Cayuga Lake Seido Karate, which is a credit-bearing course offered in the physical education department. Beginning with only nine students, the program has now grown to consist of thirty-five high school students and twenty-two children ages 5-12.
Sensei Robin has twice won the Sogo (overall) championship at the annual Seido Benefit Tournament. In 1996, she qualified as a member of the USA kumite team where she finished 4th 
among a large group of international competitors. Sensei Robin has also worked with other high ranking black belt women to offer workshops during the annual Women’s Self-Defense Seminar.
Sensei Robin has a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Administration from SUNY Brockport, and a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Springfield College. She has been certified in CPR, First Aid and Lifeguarding since 1995. Sensei Robin is currently the Dean of Students at Trumansburg High School.
Sensei Robin continues her training with Kaicho Nakamura and Nidiame Akira Nakamura in New York City while also teaching classes at both branches of Cayuga Lake Seido Karate. She currently is a member of the Association for Women’s Self Defense Advancement.
Sensei Gail Lajoie
4th Degree Black Belt
Sensei Gail Lajoie began training in Seido Karate in 1993, achieving the rank of shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1996. In that same year, she began assisting with classes for adults and children. She became a direct student of Kaicho Nakamura in 2003, receiving her 4th degree black belt in 2005. In addition to teaching classes at Cayuga Lake Seido Karate, Sensei Gail travels regularly to New York City to continue her own training with Kaicho Nakamura and Nidaime Akira Nakamura.
Sensei Gail is a frequent participant in the annual Seido Benefit Tournament, most recently winning the Women’s Master’s Kata division in 2010 while placing second in both the free fighting and breaking competitions. 
She also participates regularly as a judge of kata and kumite, and helped to organize both the seminars and Global Exhibition at Seido’s 30th Anniversary Saiten in 2006. Sensei Gail has also had the opportunity to participate in clinics, classes, and tournaments across the US, South Africa, and Japan.
Sensei Gail has both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Music Education from Ithaca College, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Administration from SUNY Cortland. Throughout her 20-year career in education, she has worked as a teacher at both the elementary and secondary levels and has been a provider of staff development and support for teachers. She currently works in Instructional Technology at GST BOCES in Elmira.
About Our Dojo
Cayuga Lake Seido Karate was founded by Sensei Robin McColley, Sensei Gail Lajoie, and a small group of dedicated students in January, 2006. The program has since grown to include a full program for adults and children in the town of Lansing, a credit-
bearing class for students at Trumansburg High School, and an after-school program in the Trumansburg School District. With more than 125 students actively training, our dojo provides a richly diverse environment in which students can develop their own strengths.
Students from all programs come together to participate in several annual events hosted by Cayuga Lake Seido: a Punch-and-Kick-a-Thon fundraiser, a trip to World Seido Karate headquarters in New York City, Lake Training, and our holiday party. Many students also take the opportunity to participate in Gasshuku (special training), the annual Benefit Tournament, and other events sponsored by the World Seido Karate Organization.
Our dojo is committed to providing a place where individuals and families can not only train together, but can come together to support each other and support their community. Since 2006, we have raised over $8000 for several local organizations including the Tompkins County SPCA, The Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, the Corporate Development Committee of the Lansing Central School District, Hospicare and Palliative Care Services of 
Tompkins County, the Trumansburg Food Pantry, and the Lansing Food Pantry. Through the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department, we are also able to provide tuition scholarships so that anyone who wants to participate in Seido Karate can have the opportunity to do so.
You are warmly invited to visit our dojo and learn more about what Cayuga Lake Seido Karate can do for you and your family. We are looking forward to you becoming a part of our growing family.
