Discipline the Mind, Body, and Spirit

ITO’S WHITE TIGER KEMPO KARATE TAI CHI CHUAN is a martial arts school in Novato, CA, that has been offering classes in Marin since 1979. Mr. Ito, our head instructor, began his studies in 1968 in Castro Valley. A decade later, he opened up his family-owned school to focus on training kids and adults how to discipline their mind, body, and spirit.

Our school offers a variety of programs, including Kempo, Karate and Tung Tai Chi Chuan classes. These classes are available to children, moms, and dads of all ages and levels of experience six days a week.

Special introductory and family rates are available to our students to make it even easier for you to afford the helpful training and lessons provided at our school. Call us today for more information about how to take advantage of these offers.

Welcome to
Ito’s White Tiger Kempo Karate Tai Chi Chuan!

Start Today

“It is not how good I am, it is how I inspire my students to be better than me”

- Rene Latosa

Two men standing together indoors, one in casual clothing and the other in a martial arts uniform. They are smiling and posing for the photo.

What People Are Saying

  • “My child has been going to Ito's White Tiger for almost two years now. He has learned life lessons that will guide him as he grows. The challenge level and pace of advancement is very appropriate for him. I appreciate and respect the fact that kids will not automatically advance, but that they have to demonstrate knowledge and application of skills at each level."

    — Jennifer V.

  • Three years ago, after an accident and months of rehab, I started Tai Chi at White Tiger with a chair and a walker. Thanks to the careful, professional instruction of Mr. Ito and Mrs. Gotti, I steadily built strength and balance. They don't just know Tai Chi—they understand body mechanics, the limits of every age group, and how to encourage effort. The classes are fun, supportive, challenging, and full of community. The result: greater flexibility, strength, and most importantly, balance.

    — Valerie Spremich

  • "During the 4 years I practiced at White Tiger, I learned lessons that are priceless. Karate made me tougher physically and mentally, a better athlete, teammate, and a more compassionate and understanding person. Under Mr. Ito’s guidance, I experienced achieving a goal through hard work, patience and perseverance."

    — Ann G.

Our Team

A smiling elderly man with glasses and a woman with glasses, smiling, standing close together indoors against a blue wall.

Robert & Donna Ito
(Mr. and Mrs. Ito)

Robert and Donna Ito have been married for over 51 years and have worked side by side since 1975. They raised their 3 children at the Dojo, and are now enjoying their 5 grandchildren. You will find Mrs. Ito behind the desk at the Dojo working the books and schedule. It has been a wonderful experience watching at least 3 generations of students come through White Tiger. We love when our White Tiger students come back and visit with their families.

A man with short dark hair and a goatee smiling, wearing a black martial arts gi with a patch, against a blue wall.

Robert Genzo Ito
(Mr. Genzo)

I have over 25 years of practice and 15 years of Instructing young kids to mature adults. I use the arts as a life skill tool to better myself and create a positive experience with my influence. I enjoy working with students through their progress to learn about and better themselves through mind, body, and spirit. I find joy in using my experience to relate, understand and communicate to find solutions to struggles in their progress and help them to achieve progressive goals to expand their abilities.

Smiling elderly woman with short gray hair wearing a black martial arts uniform with patches, standing against a blue wall.

Ronda Gotti
(Mrs. Gotti)

I began studying White Tiger Kempo and Tai Chi in 2002 and received my Black Belt in 2010. I have learned that there is so much more to these studies than learning a Kata or advancing to another belt level. White Tiger Universal Studies is a lifetime study of the self (mind, body, spirit), of motion, and of self-defense. Our Dojo is like a family. I enjoy working Kempo, Tai Chi and weapons classes with students (5-80 years) and coordinating our quarterly tournaments.

A young man with short curly dark hair, light skin, and facial hair, wearing a black martial arts gi with a black belt, standing in front of a dark teal wall.

Cory VanCraeynest
(Mr. Cory)

I began studying at Ito’s White Tiger in 2001 with my older sister. Over time I found this environment very inspiring because regardless of a new student’s age, athletic ability, level of fitness, or self-confidence, with time and practice I would see the students improve if they listened and paid attention in classes. The mindset and spirit of White Tiger has helped me maintain good physical conditioning and remain oriented on self-progress and improvement in my life’s endeavors. Being able to watch the progress of upcoming generations of students and being part of passing on the White Tiger Curriculum is personally very rewarding to me.

A man with short, light brown hair and blue eyes smiling, wearing a dark martial arts uniform, standing in front of a white garage door.

Patrick Farley
(Mr. Farley)

Pat Farley joined the Ito’s White Tiger Dojo in 2004 and was promoted to the rank of Black Belt in 2021.

Pat came to us with an extensive background in other athletic pursuits including college football and a 25-year rugby career. Pat founded the Marin Highlanders youth rugby club and is still active as a coach and board member.

“After my playing days were over, I was searching for an activity that would maintain my fitness level and help to fill the void left by my departure from competitive athletics. I had dabbled in Karate as a kid and Aikido as a young adult and was always intrigued by the martial arts. Returning to the martial arts, in a more focused way, seemed a natural next step for me.

I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to be training under Mr. Ito and his Black Belts. Mr. Ito is an accomplished, traditional martial artist and this journey has proven to be more challenging and rewarding than I had anticipated. Our studies address the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) and have become a lifelong pursuit for me.

Assisting with student training allows me to continue with my passion for guiding children, teens, and adults in the direction of becoming healthier and more confident individuals. I look forward to working with you.”

Pat is a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager with RBC Wealth Management and lives in Novato, CA with his wife Susan. Pat and Susan’s adult children, twins Rachael and Ryan, were also White Tiger students.

Have Questions?

Send us a quick note and we’ll figure things out together—no worries!