Japan Karate Association returns to old home

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This article was published 13/10/2020 (2115 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Japan Karate Association is returning to its old home in west Winnipeg, just in time for what it hopes will be a busy fall season.

Registration is now open for a range of classes at the St. James Centennial Fitness Centre, located at 644 Parkdale St.

Sensei Joel Crisp said JKA’s Winnipeg West Karate originally opened in 2004 and held classes at the Parkdale Street location through 2012 before moving to Sturgeon Heights.

This year’s move also marks a homecoming for Crisp, who took a hiatus from teaching in 2016 before returning early this year. However, after just a few weeks of classes, Winnipeg West Karate had to shut down, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of community spaces.
“We didn’t have any options,” Crisp said.

Crisp, a fifth-level black belt, has enjoyed karate for 40 years and says he remembers registering for a class soon after his family moved to Winnipeg from Ontario.

“I always thought it was kind of neat,” Crisp said. “It was rare for classes to be held back then and I was lucky to get into one.”

There are a long list of benefits to be gained from karate, Crisp explained, and these extend beyond the dojo. Participants burn plenty of energy, improve their listening skills and learn discipline, as karate helps develop character and encourages respect.

“It allows you to focus a lot better, especially when you have tasks that are difficult,” Crisp explained. “You find those tasks are not as difficult as you thought.

“We expect students to listen. A lot of times it helps kids to come out of their shells — it inspires confidence.”

Crisp said he has taken precautions to keep people safe. Classes are limited to a maximum of 12 participants so they can maintain safe distances from each other. Traditional sparring will not take place and the focus will instead be on fundamental routines and reaction training.
There is a class available for every age group and skill level, Crisp said.

Little Ninjas, a class for children between the ages of five and seven, takes place on Sundays from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Beginner classes for people aged eight and up occur on Thursday evenings between 6:30 and 7:30. Intermediate classes are held Sundays at 3:15 p.m. and Thursday nights at 7:45 p.m.

New participants should wear loose-fitting sweats or shorts. Uniforms are not mandatory for beginners.

To register, call 311 or visit the City of Winnipeg’s Leisure Online page. For more information visit winnipegwestkarate.ca