About Shihan Mark Yates

"Whether you're a student for a month or 40 years, You will learn something valuable here."

You may be a parent who wants to help their child develop focus and better emotional control or an older student looking for a good workout - either way, you're in the right place!

Mark Yates – called Shihan in the dojo, which means a senior instructor who has achieved a high ranking – is a 7th dan black belt in Goshin Jitsu Karate and has been teaching martial arts for over 40 years.

In his 40 years he has won 6 World Champion Titles in Self Defense and Traditional Weapons, brought over 300 students up to their black belt, and taught thousands of people karate and self-defense.

"The great thing about Karate is that there's always something new to learn or a way to improve. It can keep things interesting!"

It's more than karate skills

More than karate skills (which are useful to have), Shihan teaches life skills.

What does “teaching life skills” look like? It looks like “mat chats” when Shihan talks about subjects like how to handle bullying at school, how to stay calm when someone makes you angry, and how to build resilience.

You can see it during a class when Shihan throws out bite-size bits of knowledge and encouragement as kids learn new katas or compete with themselves in a drill. Parents and students can bring their challenges to Shihan to get some perspective and practical wisdom.

Shihan has worked with students of all ages and ability levels.

One great thing about martial arts is you’re able to modify the curriculum to work with students of different ability levels. Everyone, working to the best of their abilities, can achieve Black Belt. Working towards your black belt will teach and reinforce perseverance, self-control, and positive outlook.

Everyone comes to Karate for a different reason:

You or your child are looking to learn how to deal with bullying at school.
Your active child needs a fun high-energy class to help them sleep better at night.
You appreciate that karate combines a physical practice with "common-sense" wisdom.
Karate can help you develop better co-ordination, balance, and body awareness.
You love martial arts and are interested in training and competition.

Our dojo is a safe and inclusive training environment that has welcomed people in the community ages 3 1/2 and up for over 40 years. We have hosted competitions and have had competitors from across Canada and from the US come to join us.

About Shihan Mark Yates

"Whether you're a student for a month or 40 years, You will learn something valuable here."

It's more than karate skills

More than karate skills (which are useful to have), Shihan teaches life skills.

Shihan has worked with students of all ages and ability levels.

Everyone comes to Karate for a different reason:

Our Home Dojo

Ready to Get moving with karate?

When Covid Hit We Kept Kicking: Parent Reviews

"Great to get together again in a kind of group setting."

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I really liked that Shihan takes a minute and acknowledges all that sign in to the class!!"

"I really liked that Shihan takes a minute and acknowledges all that sign in to the class!!"

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I really liked that Shihan takes a minute and acknowledges all that sign in to the class!!"

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I enjoyed how we can still do karate during these times of uncertainty."

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

Have more questions?

About Shihan Mark Yates

"Whether you're a student for a month or 40 years, You will learn something valuable here."

It's more than karate skills

More than karate skills (which are useful to have), Shihan teaches life skills.

Shihan has worked with students of all ages and ability levels.

Everyone comes to Karate for a different reason:

Our Home Dojo

Ready to Get moving with karate?

When Covid Hit We Kept Kicking: Parent Reviews

"Great to get together again in a kind of group setting."

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I really liked that Shihan takes a minute and acknowledges all that sign in to the class!!"

"I really liked that Shihan takes a minute and acknowledges all that sign in to the class!!"

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I really liked that Shihan takes a minute and acknowledges all that sign in to the class!!"

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"I enjoyed how we can still do karate during these times of uncertainty."

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

"I liked that all the kids were called upon to be involved as they would be in a real class."

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

"Great content, great feedback from Shihan, very organized, easy to follow along. It was great!"

Have more questions?

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