Develop Your Warrior Spirit
Considering a Martial Art?
It might just be one of the best decisions you ever make for yourself or child. We have seen it happen so many times. Martial arts have so much to offer. Physical conditioning, mental focus, the value of disciplined effort... just to name a few. There is also a very strong social connection within martial arts. Many friendships are forged in the dojo on the mats. Of course there is the big advanatage of being able to defend yourself and others with some effective skills.
We currently offer three martial arts to choose from, each with it's own flavour and intensity. Of course you are welcome to train in all three. Do you like a dynamic style that involves throws and breakfalls? How about weapons? Learn how to weild a Jo or a sword. Do you like wood or steel?
Click a button here to learn more about what is available.
Yoshinkan Aikido
Aikido is a relatively modern martial art having developed in the 1950s. It is based on ancient teaches of the samurai class warrior and it is taught in a traditional Japanese style. Aikido is a direct descendent of the martial art Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu. Aikido distiguishes itself for it's flowing defensive style that aims to harmonize with the attacker, transfering the attacking forces into a throw or a pin.
Aikido was developed by Morehei Ueshiba who was trained in Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu. His spiritual path lead him to develop a method of self-defense where you could disable the attack while minimzing the injury. It is because of this nature the Riot Police of Tokyo, Japan are trained in Yoshinkan Aikido for one year before serving in that role. It is a practical art that can effectively diffuse and attack. It serves to extinguish conflict not escalate or contribute to it.
We offer classes for ages 7 years old and up. Aikido classes are taught by Dan Boyle Sensei and he holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree) black belt in Yoshinkan Aikido and Shodan (1st degree) black belt in Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate.
Jodo & Iaido
Jodo one of the three Canadian Kendo Federation arts. It is a tight-knit and familiar community. It teaches the use of two weapons: the tachi (sword) and the jo (a 128cm long wooden staff) with the jo being the main weapon, practiced in partner kata against the tachi.
The jo is a complex and versatile weapon and the main goal is to control and subdue the swordsman without using lethal force. The principal purpose of practicing Jodo is to cultivate the spirit and train the body.
To learn the Jo defense against the sword means you also need to learn how to use a sword. A wooden replica sword is used for training with the Jo. Formal Iaido training with a Japanese sword is also part of the instruction. Iaido is the art of drawing and cutting the sword with smooth and controlled movements.
We offer classes in Jodo for youth and adults. Jodo classes are taught by Greg Clarke and he holds the rank for 4th degree black belt in Jodo and a 4th degree black belt in Iaido.
Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)
The Philippines has a long history of martial arts. Today there are three branches with similar styles called Escrima, Arnis, and Kali. The roots of the the art involved knife fighting. Many clubs mostly train with sticks.
The style that is taught here is Kalis Ilustrisimo Repeticion Orihinal (KIRO). This is a very practical, non-formal training that focuses on fighting with a short sword. The same techniques can be used with a stick, a knife and empty handed. KIRO starts with swrods so you don't have to unlearn bad habits from just training with sticks.
The instructor of this class is Archie Luz and his background in combative training is extensive, from empty handed, use of blades and also firearms. Archie is the real deal for self defense.