UFMA Dundurn

Sharing this post from our new page- United Family Martial Arts Dundurn. If you haven't followed our new page, please make sure you do so you don't miss out on information.

‼️ To all of our followers ... for a variety of reasons, we have created a new page for our school.

Please search/visit United Family Martial Arts Dundurn to like and follow us there.

This current page will be phased out in the new year.

Another successful toy drive!! Thanks to everyone who contributed this year.

We collected 100 toys and Mr Waddell dropped them off at today.

Dedication to training. J’ina is one of our Impact kickboxing students who comes to class regularly and works hard each class.

She is an inspiration to all of us at 83 years young. Congratulations on your award J’ina!

Age is just a number and exercise helps keep you young, active, and your mind alert. What’s your excuse?

Parents and siblings of our members- take advantage of our 12 Days of Christmas promotion today and get started on your fitness journey.

Our 12 Days of Christmas promotion is on now!

This is a great time for family members to sign up for karate or Impact kickboxing classes. Free registration and 1st month free. The first 12 people to book an appointment with Miss Lisa will be eligible.

Karate with family is a rewarding experience and will create memories that last!

Our Annual Toy Drive for CityKidz has begun. We are collecting new toys for all ages until December 8th.

CityKidz is a wonderful organization in the city that helps many families who may be struggling, by providing holiday gifts for kids.

Please consider donating to our Toy Drive and help to bring some joy to a child this holiday season. A list of most wanted toys is attached if you need some ideas.

Holiday Shopping Day is coming!! Mark your calendars - Saturday November 4th from 9am-3pm.

Drop in on Nov 4th to take advantage of some great deals. Do you need sparring equipment or bo staff? Do you need a new uniform? Great discounts on all these items.

Our winter clothing sale will also be on. Check it out and stay warm this winter while repping the karate school!

Another set of black belt testing is about to begin.

Good luck to our latest group of red belts beginning their journey to black today.

The karate school will be closed over the Thanksgiving Weekend - Saturday Oct 7th - Monday Oct 9th.

Enjoy the long weekend and cooler autumn temps.

Our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive has begun. We are collecting non perishable items until Thursday October 5th.

If you are able, please bring in a donation when you come for class. There are many families struggling to put food on the table right now and every bit helps. Donations will be taken to the Good Shepherd Centre.

Join us for a movie afternoon on Saturday September 30th from 1:30 - 4 pm.

Come out and play some games, then settle down in front of the screen to watch a movie. We will provide the movie snacks as well.

Dress comfortably, bring a pillow and/or blanket and relax with your karate friends and a movie.

$30.00 +tax. Sign up at the front desk

Introducing some new staff at UFMA Dundurn.

Welcome to our new instructors- Mr Cameron and Miss Ray. We are so excited to have you join our teaching team. Mr Cameron and Miss Ray have been with us since they were white belts and have grown up at UFMA Dundurn, recently becoming black belts. They have completed all their requirements in leadership training and passed their teaching test. We can’t wait to see how you grow as you instructors.

Welcome to our new front desk staff member - Miss Ann. Ann has been with UFMA Dundurn for years watching her son grow through karate and is a member of our Impact kickboxing program. Ann will be at the desk part time to assist Miss Lisa. Stop by to say hi to Ann.

Another new staff member is Nicole Vargas, our new childcare worker in our Li’l Ninjas Childcare. Welcome Nicole!

Someone who is helping coach our Impact kickboxers is Jason Stranak. Jason is an avid kick-boxer and karate student and has recently started helping with coaching Impact.

Welcome to all of our new staff!!

We are back to classes today!!

The new fall schedule is in effect today with classes beginning at 5:30 pm. We look forward to seeing everyone back in class.

Start September off right by setting some new goals. Whether it’s getting your next stripe, improving your push ups, etc., set your goals and make a plan on how to achieve them.

Where has the summer gone? It is hard to believe that it is the last day of August.

Just a reminder that the karate school will be closed for the Labour Day long weekend -Friday September 1st to Monday September 4th inclusive.

Classes will resume on Tuesday September 5th with our new Fall schedule (linked in bio). We look forward to seeing everyone back in class, especially those who have been away over the summer.

Tomorrow is the last day of our summer class schedule.

Beginning next Tuesday September 5th, we will move to our revised Fall schedule. Please make sure to look at the schedule to find when your classes will be. There are time changes and a number of classes taking place on the lower floor.

The fall schedule is available via the Linktree link (https://tr.ee/yy_fygBJde), on the student portal on the website, as well as print copies are available at the school.

We are Hiring!

Our Li'l Ninjas Childcare is looking for an RECE teacher (full time) to join our team.

We are a fully licensed Before & After school program and half day Preschool.

Full job posting- https://tr.ee/7ppcjRBTMS

Send resumes to [email protected] or call us at 905 527-8915 for more details.

We love seeing photos of our students practicing outside of karate! Kirat and Kabir were practicing their kata while camping in Algonquin. Way to go guys!!

Do you have any photos practicing karate on vacation? Feel free to share them with us, we’d love to see them.

Our Summer Cool Down is happening this Saturday!

Join us from 12:20-2 pm on Saturday for some fun games and ice cream/cold treats. As a thank you to our members, come enjoy some treats on us.

We will begin with some fun games and then cool down with some ice cream. For those who can’t have dairy, we will have an alternative option.

There is a sign up sheet at the front desk just so we know how many people to expect. Come join us!! 🍦

Our summer class schedule begins today. Click on the link in our bio, go to the student portal on the website, or pick up a print copy at the school.

There are a few changes to classes so make sure to get your copy of the schedule to ensure you are coming to the correct class at the correct time.

It's Spirit Week!!! Dress the theme each day and have some fun in classes celebrating the end of school and beginning of summer.

Monday - Favourite sports team day
Tuesday - Crazy hair day
Wednesday - Pajama day
Thursday - Red & white day

We have something for our Impact Kickboxing classes too:

Monday - Bring a friend class
Wednesday - Glow in the Dark class

In karate, "mokuso" is a term used to refer to a specific type of meditation practiced at the beginning and/or end of a training session. It is a Japanese term that can be translated as "meditation" or "silent thought." The purpose of mokuso is to help practitioners focus their minds, calm their thoughts, and prepare themselves mentally for training or to reflect on their practice afterward.

During mokuso, karateka (karate practitioners) typically sit in a seiza position (kneeling with the buttocks resting on the heels) with their eyes closed. They focus on their breathing, allowing their minds to become still and their bodies to relax. Mokuso serves as a way to transition from the external world to a more internal state of awareness, helping practitioners to concentrate on their training and cultivate a sense of mindfulness.

While the specific instructions and duration of mokuso may vary among different karate styles and instructors, the fundamental purpose remains the same—to achieve a state of mental clarity and prepare oneself for training or reflection.

What is the difference between a sport and an art.

A sport is something you play, an art is something you study.

Many people stop playing sports when they finish school. Some will meet up with friends for 5 aside or will play competitively in sport till they get married and have children or till the knee pain and back pain kick in...then they stop.

An art you study...learning never stops, even if you have bad knees or a stiff shoulder.

In sport, the objective is to beat your opponent or opposing team.

In martial arts...you are your own opponent and the aim is to defeat your own self and improve and become better.
Yes, there is a sport aspect to karate, but many people stop competing in their 40s...So what keeps them training into their senior years? We see Kagawa Sensei in his 60s, Yahara Sensei in his 70s and Ueki Shihan in his 80s still training daily.
This is the difference between Martial art and sport.

Martial Arts is about the journey, sport is about the destination.
Once someone becomes Olympic champion, they have reached their destination and retire.
In Martial Arts, it's about the journey and staying on the path. A big step forward or small step forward is still a step forward on the journey.

We see set backs in life...we will see them in Karate...but we do not step off the path.

We keep training, we keep learning, we keep moving forward...This is Martial Art, this is karate 🙇‍♂️

💥Attention UFMA Dundurn parents

Have you ever considered starting your own karate journey or want to improve your fitness?

Now is the time! You do so much for your family, now is the time to do something for yourself!

During the months of May & June we are running our Mothers & Fathers Day promotions. Why not take advantage of these great deals?

Karate - free registration and a free uniform. Start your training right away

Impact Kickboxing - $149.99 registration (regularly $199.99) which includes boxing gloves, heart rate monitor, hand wraps, and 2 free months. You can try a kickboxing class for free.

Speak to Miss Lisa at the front desk to get started.

Many of our parents started karate/kickboxing after their kids joined karate. It's a great way to improve stamina, focus, and has many health benefits...and it's a great activity to share with your child.