Our Dojo practices Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu, an Okinawan style of Karate founded by Sensei Shoshin Nagamine in 1947. Sensei Nagamine was a direct student of several of the most famous Karate masters of our time. Our Dojo's main influences are: Sensei Quai Wong, who in addition to being the licensed Canadian Head Instructor under Sensei Nagamine, is trained in Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu as well as Hung Gar. Sensei Eihachi Ota, 7th Dan Kyoshi under Sensei Nagamine, 8th & 9th Dan, Hanshi under Sensei Masao Shima.

From 1972 to 1984 Gerry trained in Sensei Quai Wong's Karate and Kung Fu Society system based in Toronto. Sensei Wong's dojo's had a heavy emphasis on free sparring with contact being the norm rather than the exception. Training in the 1970's had a far more " blood & guts " approach than is commonly seen today. Most Canadian Matsubayashi Dojo's can trace their roots to the Wong dojo. We are pleased to continue our training With Sensei Wong whenever possible.

Gerry went west in early 1977, working in B.C & Whitehorse (Yukon Territories) as well as California. While on the west coast, he sought out as many Martial Arts schools as possible, seeing some of the best ( and the worst ) that the west had to offer. In late 1978, Gerry moved back to Orillia, rejoining the Wong's system. In 1980 he was promoted to Shodan by Sensei Wong.

In 1984 Gerry met Sensei Chris Gilbert. Chris was a long time Judo Black Belt, who trained to win in the street, not in tournaments. After training with Chris for a year, the decision was made to open the Orillia Martial Arts Centre, with Chris teaching Judo and Gerry teaching Karate. Sparring in our Dojo became more rounded, more realistic. We were early proponents of mixed Martial Arts training and we continue that practice today. In the mid 90's Chris had to leave the Dojo due to work and family commitments but still returns when possible to conduct grappling seminars.

In 1986, Cathy joined the Dojo. After gaining Shodan she became an instructor. In addition to full time teaching and training in Karate, Cathy developed the Kick Fit Kardio program that has run since 1998. Now, Cathy is an accredited Kripalu Yoga instructor as well.

In 1998 we met Sensei Ota in St. Louis at the World Seminar that was held to honor Sensei Nagamine's life. We trained with Sensei Ota until April 2008. We continue to practice Sensei Ota's version of Matsubayashi Karate along with the other influences we have had along the way.

Our Dojo works under the principles taught to us by Sensei Ota and Sensei Wong. Every class, every Kata, every drill is devoted to making the student a better Karate student. This is a Martial Art. We do not advocate violence, we are believers in Peace. However, we live in a violent world. We welcome all students, casual, recreational, and serious Martial Artists. Casual students, we hope will carry some of our principles into their future. Serious students will see we offer a lifetime of material to train in. All students are treated with the same respect.

We also train with Sensei Bruce Krampetz from Las Vegas, who in addition to being a senior Blackbelt in Sensei Ota's system, is skilled in Filipino Stick fighting as well as Wooden man training.We also train in K1 style kickboxing, Muay Thai, & Kyokushin with Matth Payne & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Professor Rob Veltman.

We strive for excellence in our Dojo. We teach to the best of our ability and we expect our students to train to the best of theirs. Training in Karate is a life changing experience. It can be done by anyone at any age if taught correctly. Our Dojo is designed to provide a safe, well equipped learning experience for the novice student, and is well equipped for the advanced student with Makiwara, a Mook, heavy bags, focus mitts, kicking shields, skipping ropes, a large tatami area and a separate weapons training area. Lots of mirrors, high ceilings, a flexible schedule, free parking and large changerooms. Sorry, no showers.