Wado Ryu (Japanese) means School of the Way of Peace. You will learn to build your character as well as how to use your whole body for protection.  This is a page for the Wado-Ryu Martial Arts Studio located at the Adamstown YMCA & Ephrata Rec Center in Pennsylvania with Sensei Ernie Dunkelberger. Along with Ichiban Sempei Jeff Werner, Sempei Bob Bickham and a long list of fellow black belt instructors.

Our karate style is called Wado-Ryu which means (School of the Way Of Peace). Its a traditional Japanese martial art that prides itself on teaching and demonstrating proper attitude, building self esteem and self confidence, promoting self respect for oneself as well as others, and learning to defend yourself in the process.

The yellow symbol on the front of our karate gi stands for HARMONY. You will learn to use your body and mind to defeat a physical attack if and when necessary.


We are governed by the United States Eastern Wado-Ryu Federation. The headquarters are located in Nashville, Tennessee. Our current President is Mr. John Patterson. Mr. Patterson has assumed leadership of the top system in the world of Wado-Ryu karate since his father and former President Mr. Cecil T. Patterson, passed away in October 2002.

Sensei Ernie Dunkelberger, a 5th degree black belt (Yon-Dan), was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Feb. 2009, and began practicing Wado karate in 1979 under Sensei James Harlan. He has been currently involved with Wado-Ryu Martial Arts for 35 years to this day. Mr. Dunkelberger is the Sensei of the Wado-Ryu Marial Arts Studio in Adamstown Pennsylvania. Mr. Dunkelberger has had the privilege to train with Grand Master Otsuka, the current worldwide leader of the Wado system, his son Kasutaka, Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Cecil Patterson, Mr. John Patterson, Mr. Joseph Rippy, as well as other top ranking Wado instructors. Mr. Dunkelberger has also trained with world reowned instructors such as George Dillman, Wally Jay, Master Oyata, "Superfoot" Bill Wallace, and Jhoon Rhee (founder of Tae Kwan Do).

If you are interested in joining our Martial Arts Studio or have any questions about our Studio please contact Sensei Dunkelberger for  more details.