PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY

Hanshi Ray Hermann

April 25, 2009 marked Sensei Ray Hermann's 40th year in the Martial Arts.  On this historic day, Sensei Hermann was humbled and honored by being promoted to Ku Dan (9th Dan) Hanshi , by Shihan Dai Edward Doyle, Jr. and Senior Shihan Edward Verycken
(see his certificates on page two).

On October 11, 2006 Sensei Hermann was promoted to Hachi Dan (8th Degree Black Belt), by Shihan Dai Edward Doyle, Jr. 

Sensei Hermann holds the rank of 6^th Dan, Kyoshi Executive, from Peter G. Urban, Ph.D., The Grand Patriarch of all American Goju Do systems.

 He has been a practitioner of Urban Goju for over 28 years.

 Sensei Hermann began his Martial Arts training in April of 1969 at the age of 11.  He holds black belts in Goshin Do Karate and Aikido; he also studied Jiu Jitsu and Judo during this time.

 Sensei Hermann began his training in Urban Goju in December of 1976 at Bodhisattva Dojo, in Kearny, NJ, under Shihan Dai Edward Doyle now of Phoenix, AZ.  During this time there were several visits to Grand-Master Urban’s Dojos in New York City.  Grand-Master Urban also taught several of his famous seminars at Bodhisattva Dojo.  Over the years, Sensei Hermann has made several pilgrimages to Grand-Master Urban’s Monastery Dojos in Williamstown, NJ and Woodlynne, NJ.

Sensei Hermann received his Renshi (Yo Dan) degree from Shihan Doyle in June of 1982; this rank was also certified by Grand-Master Urban.

In January of 1994 Sensei Hermann became a certified Sensei and was assigned Goju Hall # 266 and opened Ray Hermann’s Fighting Tigers Dojo in Kearny, NJ.

 In January of 2003 Grand-Master Urban promoted Sensei Hermann to 6^th Dan, Kyoshi Executive.

 After working 20 years in the computer field, Sensei Hermann pursued his life long dream and completed his medical education.  He now operates a successful Holistic Medical practice in Morris County, NJ.