Welcome to the Western Academy of Martial Arts

Why Choose Our School?

Since 1985 the Western Academy has served the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows area. We have trained literally thousands of students in that time.

Men, women and children from ages 3 to 65 have all received the outstanding benefits that Traditional Karate provides: Self discipline, personal responsibility, respect for themselves and others, the confidence that comes from the ability to protect themselves and their families if needed by attaining high proficiency in self defense applications, and excellent Fitness – including developing strong minds, Bodies and spirits. We are not a gym or fitness center, people come to us for much more than a physical workout... they come to be motivated and encouraged.

Our Academy is a positive environment where children and adults can reach their goals, motivated by a friendly, energetic, highly skilled team of instructors. Our Instructors do not hide behind their belts, they are students too and as such must trained hard and regularly to keep their skills fresh.

All of our Instructors are certified Black Belts, registered with the International Meibukan Gojyu Ryu Karate Do Association. This association is based in Okinawa, Japan and has Dojos all over the world. Check out our Black Belt page for more information.

Our Academy is open year round, we are not a seasonal activity like baseball or soccer. Our students do not sit or stand around waiting for their turn to play. Karate is an individual pursuit. Our classes are constant motion for everyone involved. The weak are NOT intentionally weeded out, they are given more attention until they are able to motivate and encourage themselves.

As long as a student is here there will always be new skills to learn and to practice. Many of our students have been here for over a decade and they are still learning. Many started as small children, and now as young adults they have a great asset to take with them wherever they may go in life. There are few better qualities to have on one's resume than to have achieved a Black Belt and all the skills that go with it. These are things that universities, colleges and employers are looking for in an individual.

Karate - Not just for kids

Our adult classes are filled with professional business people, lawyers, service people, college professors, moms and dads all working together, encouraging each other and having fun. Everyone is equal when they step on the floor, all egos are left at the door. Karate is not about physically beating up the other guy. We train people to be able to look out for themselves, not to be fighters in the ring or on the street. The greatest battle is with ourselves, we are our best friend and sometimes our worst enemy. Karate is a means to develop our character and bring out the best in us.

Outside life, with all its pressures, problems and stresses are left momentarily during class times as students go through a high energy workout. There is no time for standing around. This training provides an outlet to release the stress that may have been built up during their day.

In a fast paced, technological world where things need to be completed yesterday, our Academy is a place where a student learns to slow down, to take their time, to enjoy their training. Patience is a skill that is practiced regularly. The students learn that Karate is not a race and neither is life. Enjoying the moment is a very rewarding outlook our students develop. Peace of mind comes from sweat, diligence and perseverance. Knowing that you are working towards a rewarding goal.

This is what Karate is all about.