STRONGER ONE PRACTICE AT A TIME
KARATE
Karate is a fighting art which was born in Okinawa, raised in Japan and is loved worldwide. Karate Do [空手道] directly translates as Kara [空]: empty, Te [手]: hand, and Do [道]: way. In other words “the way of the empty hand”. Some prefer more exotic translations such as “Vast” or “Sky Hand”, however we prescribe to a more literal translation and consider Karate a system for empty handed combat.
KUMAKAI KARATE VANCOUVER
In our Dojo, we practice both Shotokan Karate Do and Kudo.
SHOTOKAN KARATE DO [松波館空手道]
Shotokan is a traditional Japanese Martial Art founded by Funakoshi Gichin in the 1920’s. In our Shotokan classes we focus on the practice of Kata [型]: forms. Through the process of Bunkai we explore how our Kata can be used as a practical tool for civilian self defence. We also practice long range JKA and WKF style sport Kumite.
KUDO [空道]
Kudo is a Japanese Mixed Martial Art (MMA) founded by Azuma Takashi in 1981. Kudo, originally known as Karate Do Daido Juku, was built on a foundation of Judo and Kyokushin Karate and has grown to include techniques from other martial arts such as Shooto, BJJ, wrestling, Muay Thai, Boxing and more. Kudo offers realistic MMA training while fostering a culture of humility and respect through Budo philosophy.
Our Karate classes are mixed-age, so kids, adults, and families can all train together.
HEAD INSTRUCTORS
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Kyle Duske
NCCP Karate Competition Coach
Kyle is a certified school teacher, a 4th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate recognized by the World Karate Federation (WKF), and a 1st Kyu Brown Belt with the Kudo International Federation. He began his martial arts journey in the early 1990s at Torakai Martial Arts Academy under the direction of Andrew Holmes. A gold medalist in Kumite, Kyle has competed in both sport karate and full-contact karate, including open-rules Bogu Kumite.
Kyle specializes in applying traditional Karate as a practical tool for self-defence and combatives. He enjoys helping students develop confidence, discipline, resilience, through Karate. His background in education and competitive martial arts enables him to create engaging, safe, and challenging training for students of all ages.
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Kar-Lai Yuen
NCCP Karate Competition Coach
CanFit Pro Group Fitness Instructor
Kar-Lai began her Karate journey as an adult and has since become a multiple-time Kata gold medalist. She is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate recognized by the World Karate Federation (WKF), a 2nd Kyu Brown Belt with the Kudo International Federation, and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Kar-Lai has a deep appreciation for the art of karate and is continually expanding her skills. While Kata remains a passion, she enjoys challenging herself to become more proficient in Kumite through her Kudo training. Outside the Dojo, Kar-Lai enjoys poetry and writing, bringing the same creativity and dedication to her artistic pursuits as she does to her martial arts practice.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Are you a brown or black belt in Karate, Judo, BJJ or TKWD? Do you want to share you knowledge with others? Get in touch and let’s see if we can work together.
