North York Judo & Martial Arts Club Celebrates One Year Anniversary
Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) August 19, 2013 -- North York’s Budokai Judo Club will celebrate one year since it first opened its doors to provide professional judo and martial arts instruction to adults and children of all ages in the community to participate in one of the most popular forms of martial arts. Judo is a sport and martial art that combines self-defense with intense physical, mental and spiritual training and is an official Olympic sport. The Judo school has a combined 120 years of teaching, training and competitive experience.
Judo is often considered a sport however there are many benefits that go along with training in judo and martial arts. Many participate in Judo to reap the benefits of better health, increased strength, agility and self-defense. “Self-defense is one of the primary reasons parents bring their children to us to learn Judo,” says Ray Litvak, co-owner of Budokai Judo Club. “Bullying has become a growing concern among parents and children in the school system and Judo equips children with a way to protect themselves against bullies,” he says. “We focus on kids and their day-to-day challenges such as self-esteem and confidence as well as bully-proofing tactics,” adds Litvak.
The school offers Judo training for all ages and levels of experience and certified, child-friendly judo instructors teach kids the safe way to practice Judo through proper instruction, demonstration and participation.
New to the judo club in 2013 is ‘kinder judo’ for kids 4 - 5 years of age. The program teaches children the fundamentals of judo and how to protect themselves while building strength, agility and confidence. It’s a great foundation for all martial arts training. Children are closely supervised to ensure safety. “What makes it important for children to learn is that judo teaches them life lessons such as how to get along with their peers and sportsmanship by the simple task of participating in the club and tournaments, earning awards and belts,” says Litvak.
Also new to the Judo Club’s 2013 curriculum is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the premier grappling martial art in the world and an excellent adjunct to one’s Judo study,“ says Litvak. He goes on to say that the two martial arts are a natural fit for one another. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s (BJJ) roots are based in Judo and, with its focus on grappling and submissions combined with Judo’s spectacular throws and takedowns, the two complement one another as one of the best one two combinations in martial arts and the UFC.
Co-owners and Sensei’s Rick Koglin and Ray Litvak originally re-opened the doors on the club in honor of the memory of their original judo teacher – Sensei Chris Toule, Budokai’s founder and spiritual adviser from the early 1970′s to 1986. Koglin Sensei is a fourth degree black belt (Yondan) in judo registered with Judo Ontario, Judo Canada, the International Judo Federation and the Kodokan Judo Institute, Japan. Koglin has practiced Judo since 1976 and has competed at the national level for over seven years with several National and Provincial titles to his credit.
Litvak Sensei is a 3rd degree black belt (Sandan) registered with Judo Ontario, Judo Canada, the International Judo Federation and the Kodokan Judo Institute of Japan. He is a student, a teacher and a seasoned competitor, and won the AMCANS in 1989, representing Canada in the 1989 Maccabiah games in Israel. Litvak has competed and medaled in many other tournaments throughout North America and beyond.
Rick Koglin and Ray Litvak have been passionate about the sport and martial art of Judo for years – you can tell from their enthusiasm, experience and the success of their students. Now they are combining their passion and skill with their expertise and welcoming new students to come and learn Judo for the first time or to take their current training to the next level.
People of all ages and skill level are encouraged to try a free week (3 sessions) of trial classes at the Budokai Judo and Martial Arts Club (held in the North York Aikido Club) at 1110-5 Finch Ave West, North York, Ontario.
Meet the instructors on Saturday September 21st from 4:00 – 6:00 during the club's one year anniversary event. Or call today to pre-register for the 2013/2014 season. Membership is limited to 100 members, so don’t delay.
For more information please call Rick Koglin or Ray Litvak at: 416.712.6751 or visit our website at http://budokaijudoclub.ca.
About Budokai Judo Club
Budokai Judo Club is the Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA) #1 judo club for kids. The Judo school offers judo training for all levels of experience and child-friendly instructors teach children the safe way to practice Judo through proper instruction, demonstration and participation. Children are closely supervised to ensure safety.
Ray Litvak, BUDOKAI JUDO CLUB, http://budokaijudoclub.ca, +1 (416) 226-8676, [email protected]
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