Meet the fabulous people who instruct at this club
Sensei Kavita (She/Her) started training in Shorinji Kempo in January 2004. She has trained around the world (Japan, Canada, Singapore, Cyprus, and Spain), and has taught in many countries (Germany, Finland, Ireland, India). Kavita has dedicated over twenty years to Imperial College Shorinji Kempo where she remains an assistant instructor. She gained her black belt with Sensei Sean Dixie.
In December 2022 she gained a 4th Dan (4th-level black belt). She is DBS checked, completed the Child Protection in Sport and Active Leisure and First Aid certified. In 2023 she was honored with a Outstanding Sporting Achievement for an Individual Award .
Kavita’s specialty is designing inclusive classes and adapting her teaching to ensure people of different genders, body sizes, ages or ability (and the list goes on!) can take part in Kempo and have fun. In September 2025, she was honoured with the Diversity & Inclusion award from Traditional Martial Arts 4 All (a project co-founded by the European Union) in Jerez, Spain.
Kavita co-founded the Camden club in January 2019 and is our official Branch Master.
CJ (They/Them) is a Black Belt instructor here at Camden Shorinji Kempo. They earned their Black Belt in 2026 and have been a dedicated leader within the club for many years. CJ previously served as Club Captain before handing the role to Lucy.
A Certified Martial Arts First Aider and fully insured , CJ ensures our self‑defence classes are taught safely, confidently, and accessibly for everyone. Their teaching style focuses on helping beginners build strong foundations.
CJ competes whenever possible, representing Camden Kempo at Queer Boxing, the BSKF Taikai, and Traditional Martial Arts 4 All.
CJ is also deeply involved in organising martial arts training trips, including our upcoming club trip to Japan.
To Quote CJ “Strength comes from showing up for yourself and your community — one step, one technique, one class at a time.”
Len (They/Them) became Camden Shorinji Kempo’s first Black Belt in March 2026. They began training in April 2022 and their progression reflects a deep commitment to the art. In 2025, Len completed all teaching requirements set by the British Shorinji Kempo Federation and became one of our three assistant instructors.
Len plays a key role in delivering safe, structured self‑defence training at the dojo. They are fully insured through the BSKF and have completed formal safeguarding training in Child Protection in Sport and Active Leisure — ensuring that every session meets best‑practice standards for youth safety, wellbeing, and responsible coaching.
Rosanna (She/Her) is a Brown Belt instructor, grading in 2025 after joining the club in the post‑Covid period. She was one of the first new students to walk through the door when we reopened, and her dedication has carried her through three venue moves, countless training cycles, and steady progression into one of our key assistant instructors. Rosanna also competed at the BSKF Taikai, representing Camden with her characteristic calm focus and strong technical foundations.
Her teaching style is calm, patient, and highly supportive — ideal for beginners and returning students rebuilding confidence after long breaks. Rosanna also plays a crucial operational role in the dojo: she manages our class register, ensuring accurate attendance and smooth session delivery. This behind‑the‑scenes reliability is a major part of what keeps our self‑defence classes safe, organised, and welcoming.
Ofelia (She/Her/They) began training in Shorinji Kempo at SOAS in 2015 and has been a central figure in the London community ever since. She earned her Black Belt in 2019 shortly after co‑founding the Camden Shorinji Kempo club, and went on to achieve her 2nd Dan (second‑level Black Belt) in December 2022 under Sensei Martin Dixon.
In 2020 she served as Diversity Representative for Out For Sport, leading the BLM campaign. In the 2021 Out For Sport Awards, she was nominated for the Club Spirit Award.
In 2022, Ofelia was elected Provisional Branch Master of the SOAS Shorinji Kempo club at the BSKF AGM — a major achievement reflecting her commitment to teaching, governance, and community building. She served in the role for two years before stepping down when she moved city.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who makes Camden Shorinji Kempo possible!
Our instructors, volunteers, and students (called kenshi) give their time, energy, and care to keep this club thriving. We follow the principles of the BSKF Constitution and Code of Conduct, which emphasises compassion, community service, and practising martial arts in a way that benefits society.
This spirit of service is what keeps Camden Kempo welcoming, inclusive, and open to all. Thank you to every instructor who shows up week after week, teaches with patience and kindness, and helps make our dojo a place where people can grow.