The most important skill any teacher can have is humility. This speaks volumes not only to how you act but the state of mind with which you approach the training floor. Humility allows a teacher to have the respect to listen to the student’s questions and comments. It allows the teacher to approach all situations with an open mind and a willingness to learn as well as teach.Hanshi Dayton Guinee is that kind of Teacher.
The humble person makes a realistic assessment of who he is and puts that unillusioned judgment into practice. He does not judge himself to be smaller or larger than he really is. In so doing he avoids despair as well as pride. Consequently, the humble person enjoys the freedom to be who he is.
Hanshi Dayton Guinee is the founder of American Heritage Goju Karate-Do. This name was created and given to Guinee by GM Urban himself. He encouraged and entrusted this position to Hanshi Guinee as a leader in the USA Goju System (USAGA). On a diploma from GM Urban, it read,”My Personal recognition of him as founder of his own dojo, style and organization; herewith to be known as:”American Heritage Goju”. From Sensei Urban of The United Sons of Goju International. The “Do” (Way) was not added on Guinee’s style name until the passing of GM Urban because until his passing GM Urban was the Grand Master of American Heritage Goju. From 1973 -1975 Guinee trained with Sensei Duke Kasten who at the time was a 5th degree black belt under GM Urban. Sensei Kasten traveled out of the country often and ultimately moved to Israel. He introduced Guinee to GM Urban as a white belt where they would go to train on occasion at GM Urban's dojo. Guinee also trained in the Kyokushin organization at the same time under Shihan Shigeru Oyama and Sensei Lamatina. Guinee was a brown belt in both systems. Before Sensei Kasten’s final move to Israel he took Guinee to GM Urban as a brown belt where Guinee would stay for the remainder of his martial arts education. In the following years Guinee was taught, mentored and became a close friend and confidant until the passing of GM Urban on April 7, 2004.
Guinee earned an Honorable Discharge in 1969 from the USMC - 0311, after serving his country in the Viet Nam conflict. He received a Full Obligation Discharge in 1974.
In 1977 Guinee opened up his 1st Dojo in the town of Mamaroneck, New York. There he began the teachings of USA Goju. Guinee continued his teachings under the watchful eye of GM Urban. In 1978, Guinee was to become a Franchised Member whose certification would end in the year” Never”!
In 1980, Guinee relocated his dojo to the town of Hawthorne, New York where he continued to teach students of all ages. That same year Guinee was given the certification of 4th Degree Black Belt Suma Cum Laude from GM Urban. 1982 brought Guinee the position awarded by Sensei Urban as being GM Urban’s Personal Ambassador of American Goju Systems, Secretary of Financial Affairs and Minister of Financial Affairs. He successfully competed from 1973 through 1988 proudly representing the USA Goju System, having been awarded for Superior Excellence in Public Performance for a Demo team at a NYC tournament in addition to a Brooklyn Tournament Demo Team.
In 1995, Guinee relocated and opened a dojo in the town of Thornwood, NY. This dojo would go on to win the first E-Flag of excellence given by GM Urban. Today, Sensei Guinee and his instructors hold classes in the Mount Pleasant Recreation Community Center, continuing to instill the philosophy, ideology, methodology and moral values he learned from his instructor, GM Peter Urban.
Throughout the years American Heritage has worked to inform the students, parents and general public of the importance and values of a good education, strong moral and family values and the importance of staying physically, mentally and spiritually fit in order to reach ones full potential.
Our organization has held successful events for children (Dayton Guinee's Youth of America) as well as fund raisers for Cystic Fibrosis and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The importance of being community minded and helping others is an integral part of our art.
Sesnsei Guinee accredits his many successes to the dedicated Black Belts and students of the dojo. They have always worked extremely hard to assist all who come to train to reach their goals in and out of the confines of the training hall.