Yoshukai International Karate School

I have to say that this dojo was a key, positive influence in the upbringings of our two sons. As parents, and I think I speak for many parents who brought their children here, we were thrilled to watch the kumite leagues take place. The program was extremely well-run and stands in my memory as one of the most excellent sporting programs available, due to the quality of the officiating and the compassion of the people in the dojo. The instructors were very experienced and kind. In short, it's a community with a lot of heart.

My children have been attending Mark and Shelly's dojo for eight years. They request respect and manners from all those that attend their dojo and they respond with equal actions. Those that are a part of the dojo are held to high standards of behaviour and expected to be accountable for their choices. Because these values align with those of my family it is refreshing to see this reinforced so consistently and kindly by Mark and Shelly. No student is expected to be perfect but they are continually encouraged to be the best they can possibly be for themselves. The opportunities for personal growth extend far beyond those of just learning the skill of karate. Students are supported as they advance in skill to begin teaching students in lower belts. Special classes are offered to learn how to referee and the students can then volunteer to officiate kumite league Friday nights. Students are also able to participate in the purchasing and delivery of food to local families in need for Christmas. Belts are not handed out without students putting in the time and effort to earn them so its not the place to go if you want fast and easy advancement. I could go on about the life skills my children have gained from attending karate at this dojo but I recommend checking it out yourselves.

My son has been attending Yoshukai International Karate School for 4.5 years. He was not quite five when he started and he has always asked me when the next Karate day will be. Since joining the dojo in the beginning of 2013, his confidence, focus, mind and body awareness have soared. He loves Kumite League and tournaments, and has happily earned many awards and certificates for his accomplishments and participation in events (even the small accomplishments -- to a child, that means a lot). Students learn to trust, honor and respect their dojo instructors and fellow students, learn from senior belts, and in turn, earn their own seniority as a senior belt when they pass their belt tests. They are also given lots of opportunity to give back to the community, and learn to be a kind, caring and helpful karate students not only in the dojo, but as a member of the community in every aspect of their life. Sensei Mark, Sempai Shelley and all of the instructors hold safety in their dojo during training, tournaments, and security of their students (and families) to the highest priority. We have never felt anything less than a part of a wonderful family at Yoshukai International, and I have sent families to Yoshukai, who feel the same way. In this day and age, trust, finding a dojo where the Sensei is a true black belt instructor in the martial art they are teaching, zero politics, and child safety is something of extreme importance to my husband and I, in activities for my children. I found everything I was looking for, for my son, at Yoshukai. I highly recommend this dojo for anyone who would like to learn Karate. The first month is free, which means you can have upwards of 16 classes before you decide whether to continue, but I'm sure you'll find you would like to stay.

My children attended the after school program for nearly a year. We pulled them out in the spring after many many issues with the owners. The owners are very disrespectful and judgmental. They were always making negative comments about the boys. Taking cheap shots at me. The emails where Mark likes to belittle you are super fun too. They use the excuse that it’s the Karate “way”. A demand of respect. But it’s frankly just ego driven. They do not value any kind of privacy. So if you or your children have any issues or needs, they will gossip about you to other parents. They will use that to judge your children. It was a constant feeling like walking on egg shells. It’s too bad, because my boys were really enjoying the art. They ruined the experience for my kids. It was a heart breaking decision. Edit: Nov 17th, 2017. In a brief response to the owners reply, I am not going to get into a childish battle. Yes, my 6 and 7 year old children were sent a “termination” email, but this was after I refused to bring them back. They were not “terminated” for any lack of communication, they were terminated after I had enough of the threats and bullying. The last of many issues was due to my communicating more then effectively. Which they breached a level of trust that still shocks me. Unfortunately the owners chose to unveil private information to other parents/people in and out of the school. Once I was contacted and told this, we refused to go back and never returned. Thus Mark sent his “termination” after the fact. I also requested receipts for tax purposes twice that were also never sent from 2015/2016. I gain no pleasure in writing this review. The entire experience was awful and more so it effected my children who were doing well after the initial adjustment. They loved going. They were leveling with peers. Their personal contact with us was our main issue. The kids loved going, and that is the only reason why I allowed the disrespect up till then. Pulling your child from a sport or hobby they love and worked SO hard for all year should tell you how upsetting this was for us. There is no vendictive purpose to this review. This is written now nearly a year later. Everyone is calm. With my real name. But it is still the truth. And i wish I had known. Maybe then after the first time it happened, I would have been more cautious when continuing. And maybe Mark and Shelly will think twice before talking down to their clientele, and appreciate the trust they are given. In fact my eldest son attended this academy many years prior, for several years when it was smaller and more humble, and we had no issues. We loved Mark. My family sent them MANY families throughout the years. Mark was never disrespectful or rude to us. It was a shock to say the least. We were very much looking forward to our younger children having the same experience. But it was evident after handing in 10 checks Totallying over $7000 that it was not the same. Not even close. The arrogance and dismissive commitment was shocking. Im not saying we didn’t make mistakes, or our children were perfect. Nor do I expect anyone else to be. My review is about the client and facility relationship. I also tried to talk to them about how I was being spoken to several times, and each time I was encouraged to remove my children if I didn't like it. Anytime I had any concerns this was the attitude I got. So after schools begun and the kids were invested and this was our after school care.... were just told to remove them like it’s nothing. Being a single working mother. Child care is a life line. Not a flimsy option. This is an honest review of our experience with this program and the owners. Mark has also since contacted my father threatening legal action if I did not remove this review. I will not be bullied into removing this review. Other parents have a right to know. And it’s my right to express my experience. Google is welcome to contact me at any point. However, I would kindly ask Mark and Shelly to stop harassing my family over this review.