High Park Martial Arts Academy

I've been training here for 7 years. This style is traditional Goju Ryu Karate where your belts are earned. This isn't a mcDojo with a new belt every month. There is great camaraderie among the students. The kids classes are very popular and Sensei is often heard asking parents to not tell their kids to 'have fun' but instead to say 'work hard'. That says a great deal!

I am currently 29 years old and have always severely struggled in my life with self confidence which has consistently hindered my personal development. I have always recognized my potential is extraordinary, but have also failed to do or be. Recently, I came across a few of my grading certificates from 1997, when I was 8/9 years old. It made a huge impact on me because it reminded me of a time when I was able, through sensei O'Connell's guidence, to express myself through the practice of martial arts. I intend to reach out to him soon in order to offer gratitude. He didn't necessarily help me by believing in me, but rather helped me be showing me how to believe in myself and reassuring me in my humble, yet capable nature. Please to see this dojo is still operating.

In a week I'll celebrate my twentieth anniversary as a student at High Park Martial Arts. I'm sixty-three years old; I'm hardly an athletic type; yet I'm a second-degree Black Belt now, and I have loved these twenty years. From Sensei O'Connell and my senior belts, I've received careful, patient instruction. I've had fabulous work-outs. I've kept moving. I've gained confidence. The lessons I've learned in karate have helped me in my work, as an actor and teacher. And some of my dearest friends in the world I've met at the dojo -- through our hours of sweating, striving, learning together, and having a truly fun time. I highly recommend High Park Martial Arts and I hope to be there at least another twenty years.

I have been training at High Park Martial Arts for 18 years and have found my experience there invaluable. I appreciate the fact that they have been at the same location for over 22 years. The great camaraderie there has certainly helped me to improve and Sensei has helped guide me through my training from day one with his patience, motivation and encouragement. I look forward to the next 18 years.