Our Approach to Karate Training
Karate training can only be successful by focusing on dynamic technique. Developing good Karate requires an understanding of dynamic body movement to generate power and resonance. We focus on the fundamentals of generating resonance: controlled acceleration, kime (決め) and relaxation. Through proper exercise and understanding of the fundamentals of resonance, students learn to harness their internal core strength and deliver it through properly executed technique.
Our Team
O’Brien Sensei
Founder Daniel’s Karate career began in 1971 at the age of 18, training in one of the first established Matsubayashi-ryū Dojo in the Oshawa area until receiving a Shodan rank in 1979.
Daniel then trained and taught Karate in various dojo in the Oshawa area, eventually running the Karate program for the city of Oshawa.
For the last twenty years, Daniel has trained under Sensei Ota. He currently holds the rank of 7th Dan and is Sensei Ota’s Canadian representative of the Shōrin-Ryū Karate and Kobudō Association (SKKA).
Daniel has a keen interest in the biomechanics of Karate movement with a particular focus on skillful use of kobudō weapons.
Daniel is a professional landscape architect and member of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects having provided this service through his own design studio for over 40 years.
Recreational interests are skiing and snowboarding, having been a qualified instructor in both sports.
Pennell Sensei
I first began training in the Okinawan martial art of Matsubayashi-Ryū karate in 1988 at the age of 8. My training continued throughout my childhood under the guidance of Sensei Peter Phillips.
In 2007, I earned my Shodan (1st degree black belt). Shortly afterwards, I was introduced to Hanshi Eihachi Ota, Judan (10th degree black belt) – in California and began training under Hanshi Eihachi Ota in 2008. In 2017, I was awarded Yondan (4th degree black belt) in California.
In 2018, I helped Sensei Daniel O’Brien start Hanshi Eihachi Ota’s Canadian Division of his organization, Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Association (SKKA) dojo in Oshawa, ON Canada.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I began offering weekly, 45 minute karate training videos on YouTube (here), free for all to join in April of 2020.
In 2021, martial arts magazine Bugeisha – Traditional Martial Arts, invited my to be a regular contributing author.
A balanced lifestyle is the cornerstone of my training methodology. Just as much attention is given to mental health awareness as is given to physical conditioning.
Many of martial arts’ philosophies are very relevant in today’s world as people try to balance work, life and relationship responsibilities. Through sharing, I hope to enrich other peoples’ lives in much the same way that karate has enriched mine.
Follow me on instagram at @jasondpennell.
Next Steps…
We’re currently accepting new students. We’d love to hear from you. Contact Us