Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club
Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club is a not-for-profit organization in Edmonton, Alberta that strives to train and share the Karate Martial Art form in it’s area.[1] The martial art form the club strives for is the Chito Ryu style.[2]
Background[edit]
The dojo, located at 7246 101 ave NW in Edmonton, was opened May 6, 1970 as a location for practicing the traditional martial art by David Akutagawa. Originally, it was a pool hall, but is now one of the oldest dojos in the city. The founders of the club created it in the format of a “family” opportunity for youth, families and friends.
The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.
— Gichin Funakoshi
Philosophy[edit]
Among other things, the dojo focuses on such life lessons as general fitness, Kihon, a basic training of technique sequences. Kata, a standardized sequence of technique used to practice fighting. Kumite, which is the fighting one-on-one which helps build self-confidence and durability, and Bunkai.[3]
Sensei Higashi[edit]
See Also: Shane Higashi
Sensei Shane Yukio Higashi is a 10th degree black belt[4] (Red) and is the creator of the whole Chito-Ryu style. He holds a career at Honbucho Dojo, Toronto that spans more than 50 years and is a member of the technical committee of the National Karate Association. Hitachi is a key part of Karate the world over.[5]
Personnel[edit]
As of 2022, 6 trained and experienced instructors teach the Karateka style at the dojo.[6]
- Harvey Hiob - Sensei Hiob is a 5th degree black belt and Renshi, the head of the dojo. He began his training in January of 1984 under the then-head John Shaw. He travelled up the chain of command over 4 decades, finally reaching Renshi in 2016 from master instructor Sensei Higashi.[7]
- Yee Ngan - Second in command is 4th degree (Yondan) black belt Yee. He trains a parents class and is a Shihan.
- Vlad Pohnert - Head of the children’s class is Vlad, a third degree black belt and training since 1999. He has taught the children for 8 years.
- David Gannon - Dave is a Nidan (2nd degree) black belt and has trained since 1994. He is a part of the family of the dojo and has a mantra for Karate.
- Erika Hiob - Junior instructor Erika is the wife of Harvey and is a matriarch to the dojo.
- Kevin Racette - Treasurer and teacher in the parent’s class is Kevin.
Format[edit]
Classes[edit]
Children and Parents classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm to 7:10pm weekly. [8] The children class is advertised as a fun experience and accepts kids aged 6-13 years. Overall, the classes stick to the school year schedule and is split to 3 semesters, with an optional 4th in June. Parents have recently been given that opportunity to train as well, going an extra half hour.
Youth classes of ages 14-) run from 7:10 until 9pm, with occasional shifts as the days go by. This class is built for more strong physical workouts. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the classes were given a hiatus, according to the local regulations. This led to a decline in popularity for it and efforts in 2022, including an open house tried to recover from it.[9]
Other classes offered at the dojo include a Ryukyu Kobojutsu class on Mondays.[10]
Events[edit]
The dojo offers significant events throughout the year including Tournaments and Clinics (which are hosted by such luminaries as Sensei Bisson, Sensei Higashi and Sensei Buret). There also used to be a dojo Movie Night[citation needed] held in January, as well as a Christmas Party held by Hiob.[11]
External Links[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club". Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Edmonton Sport Council | Serving the Edmontonians: Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club". www.edmontonsport.com. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Types of Training". Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Sensei Higashi Promoted to 10th Dan, Hanshi – Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Association". canadianchitoryu.ca. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Sensei Shane Yukio Higashi – 10th Dan, Hanshi – Chito Ryu Association of Ontario". Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Instructors". Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Senior Ranks – Canadian Chito-Ryu Karate-Do Association". canadianchitoryu.ca. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Classes & Fees". Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Open House Event!". Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "About Edmonton Yoseikan". www.geocities.ws. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ↑ "Events". Edmonton Yoseikan Karate Club. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
Category:Karate Category:Non-profit Organizations Category:Martial Arts Category:Karateka
