" I highly recommend Karate as an excellent method of attaining both mental 

and physical health for all ages."

Dr. Paul H. Puckrin - Port Perry, Ontario

For us, karate at the HBK dojo has become a family affair. A young cousin first recommended karate to us. Our two children were immediately interested. However, Dad had reservations about trying karate himself, worried that it might prove too physically demanding for a fifty year old who was not particularly athletic to begin with. It has been a pleasant surprise to learn that it is never too late to start getting into shape.  Everyone at the HBK dojo, from experts Shihan and Sensei down to fellow white belt beginners, adults and children alike, has invariably been helpful and courteous. There is always someone ready to help a neophyte to learn something new, to perfect a difficult technique, or to do something more safely. 

For an adult, one or two classes a week at the dojo is an enjoyable way to meet like-minded peers who share the desire to focus regular attention on the healthy, physical activity that too often gets shoved onto the back burner during the busy years of middle age! For our children, karate is a way to get exercise, to make friends, to learn self-defense, and to build confidence and self esteem through solid accomplishment in a pleasant but disciplined environment where challenges increase proportionately to the student's commitment and skill. 

Karate class is not a race or a competition. Everybody wins as we advance at our own difference speeds through the stages of a very satisfying hobby that grows with the student. If the children progress faster than their parents, then it is a proud day when a nine year old can teach his Dad a thing or two! Because our dojo is open all week and on Saturdays, a student is not tied to a fixed schedule of  lessons -- a great advantage for youngsters with changing activities and scholastic commitments, and for working parents whose many other obligations can be disruptive and unpredictable. 

We have found that karate at HBK is many things at once: a physical exercise, a sport, an art, and a study all rolled into one. Don't let those silly, violent, "kung fu" movies put you off.  They are totally misleading. There is something here at the dojo for everybody -- from little tykes, to young people eager to test their strength, to adults who may find the anatomy, physiology and philosophy of the martial arts as interesting as the physical practice itself. 

Neil McAlister M.D., Ph.D. - Port Perry, Ontario

To all parents who are worried about having a child who is shy and somewhat an introvert.

Do we have a story for you.

Our daughter Brittney was an above average student in JK and SK. She got excellent remarks on her report card and was put in a special reading group for her advanced reading skills. We shouldn’t worry, right?  Wrong…. we were very concerned.  She had a problem socializing and playing with other students her own age.  She preferred to associate with her teacher and one other student who looked out for her.  This was definitely an ongoing concern for us.  Lacking social skills can lead to very serious emotional problems.

Right after the sixth birthday we took her to HBK to view a class in session.  She became intrigued and asked if she can start taking Karate.  After passing her introduction, she began taking lessons.  From day one she didn’t want to miss any classes.  Brittney has done very well in Karate; advancing from a white belt to an orange belt in five months.  This has not surprised us.  What did surprise us was a grade one Parent /Teacher interview.  We were pleasantly surprised to learn that our daughter had become a social butterfly, pleasant and mannerly, a leader in the class.  We were shocked…Her teacher who was new to the school and did not know Brittney before was amazed when we told her that Brittney was an introvert prior to grade one and Karate.

We believe that it is because of Karate that she has been able to overcome her fears of rejection from her peers.  She is now able to assert herself effectively in a group and one on one situation.

We wish to thank Shihan and Sensei Cathy and the staff of HBK for making Karate a fun and learning experience for Brittney.  

Ken and Doris Reimer - Port Perry, Ontario

We enrolled our son in traditional karate @ HBK for discipline, to increase his self-confidence, enhance his focus on academics and to provide him with skills he may need to protect himself.  We were pleased with Shihan's no-nonsense approach and zeal in teaching Jake.  We were equally impressed with the other Sensei's and Sempai's as they enhanced his training--we feel they are excellent role models.

 The social outings add to the camaraderie and cheerfulness which makes HBK so much more than an institution of learning.

A.M. Gray-Trudelle

P.S.  Last week a fight broke out at our son's school and although he knew how to  

protect himself, he had the wisdom to seek the principal rather than choose violence.