Markham Japan Karate Association
101 YMCA Boulevard, Markham, ON[905]-513-9622
Welcome to the Markham JKA.
The Markham JKA looks forward to helping you develop, both mentally and physically, through training in traditional Shotokan Karate. Our aim is to provide our students with a combination of high quality instruction and a friendly atmosphere that any member of the family can enjoy. Karate can be described as a martial art, or fighting method, involving a variety of techniques including blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint manipulations. Karate practice is divided into three aspects: kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).
The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters: kara, meaning "empty", and te, meaning "hand", thus, karate means "empty hand". Adding the suffix "-do", meaning "way", karate-do implies karate is a total way of life that goes well beyond the self defense applications. In traditional karate-do, we always keep in mind that the true opponent is oneself. Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi has said that "mind and technique become one in true karate."
The Markham JKA offers quality instruction for people of all ages with training specifically geared to each individualīs potential. True karate-do is the trademark of the Markham JKA.