York Academy of Martial Arts

Description

The York Academy of Martial Arts is a Toronto based, family owned and operated traditional school of martial arts. Run by dedicated and professional individuals to help people to improve their fitness, confidence and ability to effectively protect themselves through training in Karate and self-defense, since 1990 we have been THE Martial Arts school to come to in Toronto's Dufferin and Eglinton west area. Our Martial Arts classes emphasize not only Fitness, Focus and Fun , we also prepare students for the challenges of life and help coach them to perform as upstanding contributors to the community by teaching about goal setting, perseverance and leadership.
At our school you will find a positive and friendly group of people doing their best to improve themselves through training in the many aspects of Karate; such as striking, kicking, blocking but also clinch fighting, throws, take-downs and grappling. Being a traditional Martial arts school you will not find any colored uniforms, children's black belts or high-pressured sales tactics that are present at more 'commercial' clubs nor any of the loud music, over-competitive attitudes or dingy facilities of the 'underground' clubs. What you will find is world-class training in a great facility at a reasonable price. The fact that all of our black belt instructors are adults and are required to participate in National Coaching Certification Program and Emergency First Aid/CPR training should give you an idea of how serious we are about providing you or your children with the best Karate training experience available. After almost 25 years in business we have found a way of instructing that allows everyone from the recreational participant to the competitor, or MMA fan to those whose job requires them to have the daily ability to protect themselves to find what they need here. If ours sounds like the kind of school that you have been looking for, then we would be glad to have you. Come in and try us out for FREE anytime. SENSEI RICHARD VERLAAN Known as an engaging instructor with a very positive and motivating presentation style, Mr. Verlaan brings a unique mix of technical, practical and philosophical skills to his students education. With a degree in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo, level three National Coaching Certification, and over twenty five years of experience teaching students from a variety of backgrounds and ability levels, he has a proven ability to affect positive change on students through the Martial Arts. Mr. Verlaan's Martial Arts experience has been broadened and influenced by the input and feedback from some of the most respected instructors in the world, as well as his training experiences in Canada and abroad including training in Europe, China, Japan, Okinawa, and the U.S. He is currently a 6th Dan in Okinawan Goju Ryu and is training under 10th Dan Shihan Tetsunosuke Yasuda Sensei of the Jundokan organization. In addition to his Traditional Karate training Mr.Verlaan has pursued training in Jiu Jitsu with some of the worlds best including Rickson Gracie and Saolo Ribeiro as well as training in Judo, traditional Kobudo (weapons), wrestling, boxing and Tai Chi among other martial arts activities. Mr. Verlaan has been running Ontario Ministry of Education approved and school board recognized personal safety, self defense and anti-bullying programs across the GTA for over 25 years. He continues to teach children, youth and teenagers at TDSB, TCDSB and private schools like Upper Canada College as part of their Healthy Active Living programs. As a subject matter expert he has helped schools to develop anti-bullying policies and promote safe school culture. As a volunteer he is contributing to the improvement of the instruction of the art of Karate by representing Karate within the Toronto Sports Council and is a member of the Toronto Sports Councils City Wide working group. From his dedication, work ethic, training regimen, continued desire to improve his skills and broaden his experience, it is obvious that he considers it important to lead by example and to try to do his part to improve the standing of the martial arts in North America. That infectious work ethic tends to rub off on all of his students as their successes in Karate and in their personal lives demonstrate.