This year marks the 45th anniversary for the USA Professional Karate Studio, a martial arts and self-defense school situated at the bottom of Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. With defense classes specifically for women, children and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, few locally based institutions have managed to serve the Pittsburgh area with the same perseverance and tenacity as this dojo.
The Karate Kids of Pittsburgh at USA Professional Karate Studio
Vicki and George Mowod opened the studio on March 15, 1981, in a Greenfield building at the end of Murray Avenue — one that no longer exists. It then moved to 2601 Murray Avenue, a building that housed the school for 27 years — but one that also no longer exists, as the result of a fire. Today, the studio resides at 2345 Murray Avenue; despite the run of bygone buildings, the studio has remained on Murray Avenue since its inception.
In the nearly five decades USA Professional Karate has been in operation, the studio has done much more than award belts and teach students how to defend themselves with car keys. Their broader mission is to enhance the integrity of the community at large. “In the 45 years that we have been here, we have improved so many families and helped save so many lives,” explains Vicki Mowod. “The goal is to build character … in the most dramatic possible way. Families also just want partners in the process [of raising their children].”
Navigating the World More Safely
Dramatic is certainly an appropriate word. On one fabled occasion, Billy Blanks — the revered martial artist and fitness guru — challenged George Mowod to a duel right on the Murray Avenue floor. It was an epic clash.
Who won? The identity of the victor is a secret held by Blanks, George and Vicki.
The syllabus of the school reaches far beyond the disciplines of karate, Krav Maga or other styles of training (though karate and Krav Maga are studio specialties). “When practicing these techniques, the mind lays neural pathways for your reaction to attack,” Vicki says. “The goal is to save lives on the street. We want our students to be able to navigate the world more safely.”
To celebrate its anniversary, the studio has adopted the specific theme of “honor.” For those curious about summer offerings, kids can enroll at the studio as early as age four, partaking in classes including Make Your Own Fight Scene, Learn a Weapon and Earn a New Belt in One Week — all of which conclude with final ceremonies for friends and family.
“We really want to produce the next leaders of the community,” says Mowod. “They will stand out and become protectors.”
Story by William Acer
Photo by Sean Collier