Take the first steps to becoming a Black Belt

I’ve been doing Toodokan for 20 years now and I still love it. Toodokan had only been only open for one year when I started and it’s been fantastic watching it grow into the school it is today. Becoming a Black Belt was one of the toughest things I have ever done and therefore is one of my proudest achievements.
I consider Grandmaster John to be a very good friend and mentor, and I’d like to thank him for always pushing me to be the best person I can be, and giving me the confidence to believe I can do anything.

I started training at Toodokan 5.5 years ago. The main reason I started training was for fitness. It wasn’t long before I realised other goals and a new journey. I’m now the fittest I’ve ever been, I’ve gained strength both mentally and physically and have an increased confidence to tackle difficult situations. I can’t thank everyone at Toodokan enough for the support along the way.

For the last two and half years my wife and I had been bringing our son Ryan to Toodokan. Then at the beginning of this year my wife and I joined and never looked back. I can say I feel better , I’m much fitter than I was twelve months ago. I enjoy the family atmosphere – the welcome home feeling I get every time we walk through the front doors for training, the sense of belonging and I really enjoy and look forward to Grand Master John’s motivational talks he has at the end of class.
Thank you my Toodokan Family!

Never in my life, have I experienced such acceptance, kindness and encouragement from a group of strangers. From fellow students, parents to staff members at Toodokan, as when my son, Jake, joined up to learn Martial Arts.

This atmosphere allowed me to take my OWN first step onto the Toodokan Dojo mats in February 2014.

“Toodokan has now been in my life for over 10 years! The past 10 years have been crazy. I’ve managed to achieve my provisional black belt at the age of 13 and my first dan at the age of 14! Toodokan has taught me new skills that I use in my day to day life! Since starting Toodokan I’ve become a stronger person, more confident, disciplined and motivated. I have met amazing people who are great to interact with and have inspired me to do things. I can’t wait to see what this year has to offer me, I hope to achieve my Second Dan Black Belt by the end of the year.”

We haven’t been with Toodokan for as long as some. I put my son Joshua into karate recently to give him focus and discipline (he is very bright and easily distracted.) We find that not only do Grandmaster John and the team teach the kids physically, but instil knowledge and life lessons as well.
The “Family” type atmosphere is also an added bonus. Everyone is very friendly and all the family can join! They cater for all ages and fitness levels. The instructors all praise the kids and adults for great training. They also make it fun for the kids!

Toodokan has changed Josh in the last few months and he loves coming to every class.

I would recommend Toodokan to anyone looking for an “A” class karate establishment.

I would like to thank Toodokan Self Defence Academy for the wonderful work you do.
My children have achieved lots of confidence, courage, fitness, plus heaps of great fun with the variety of training drills and games you do and the pumped up music to compliment the good training!

Thank you to Grandmaster John for setting a great example with your discipline and for the inspiring words of wisdom you give to all your students.

A very thankful mum

I was attending a boxing class at a local gym when a friend said “wow Kirsty, if you love this you should come to Toodokan!”
“What’s Toodokan?” was my answer and she told me to come try it Friday night.

Well, I attended the Friday Night mixed senior class, a little nervous and self conscious (being on the larger side) but I was put at ease straight away when Grandmaster John approached me and welcomed me into the dojo! After the class I saw Rachel and signed up straight away and I haven’t looked back.
My son and I both enjoy our classes and my son has gained so much confidence, which is such a relief to both my husband and I as he is a shy boy and had quite a rough time at Primary School. I’ve seen how much he has come out of his shell and I feel better knowing that he can defend himself safely. Also, as an added bonus, we are a lot fitter than when we started!

Staff at Toodokan are some of my favourite people. I highly recommend Toodokan Self Defence Academy.

We have been a part of Toodokan since 2009. The family atmosphere that is felt at the dojo has kept us coming back. Master John and all the instructors have been wonderful with the children and they show genuine care and concern for their students. For us, it all started with our eldest son wanting to learn self defence when he was 10. Soon after, our two daughters decided to join. When the kids started throwing us around at home we decided to join to keep them in line haha
My wife and I joined about 6 months ago and we have enjoyed the fitness and the discipline that comes with this training. It has been a great bonding experience for us as a family and we have supported each other reaching our goals.

I first heard about Toodokan through my cousin who used to attend classes. My daughter started in 2002 when she was 5, my son started in 2006 when he was also 5 and I started a couple of years later. During or 12 years at Toodokan I have watched my children grow under Grandmaster John’s instruction, gaining valuable life skills. Grandmaster John’s dedication to the students is to be commended. He instils discipline and respect in all the students while maintaining a family friendly atmosphere. Grandmaster John is proof that if you believe in yourself, work hard and focus, anything is achievable! The Instructors and Staff could not be more kind and helpful, many of whom I have watched over the years as children become Sensei’s.

One of my proudest moments in life was to watch my daughter achieve her Black Belt last year. My son is currently thriving in the Leadership Program.
It has been a privilege to be associated with Toodokan and I would like to thank Grandmaster John, the instructors and staff for their commitment and hard work. Toodokan is part of our family and always will be.

“When we started at Toodokan with our five children about two years ago, we immediately noticed the positive, energetic atmosphere in a family friendly environment. Our whole family has significantly improved in confidence and self-belief by learning very effective and genuine modern self defence techniques, patience, respect, and discipline. We have seen a remarkable difference in the children’s fitness levels from the time we began Toodokan and they have all developed better social skills and stronger character. Toodokan has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our family.”

“Where do I begin…..I have two young children (1 boy 8yrs, 1 girl 6yrs) both attending this fantastic School.

I cannot speak highly enough about what “Toodokan Self Defence Academy” has done for both my children & their friends that also attend.

In the past few months I have noticed a considerable difference in my children’s behaviour towards others & each other, their confidence, co-ordination and sense of belonging. They are more focused in school and are willing to give their best at anything they are faced with.

Master John is one of the best Mentors I have come across in a long time. His analogies towards the kids are highly commendable and with the help and dedication of his amazing Instructors & staff this is a school well worth investigating.

I would personally like to thank Master John and all the instructors of “Toodokan Self Defence Academy” on a job well done. We appreciate what you are doing for our kids and feel like part of the family.

Keep up the good work.”

“My wife and I are so impressed with Toodokan Self Defense Academy, the results with both our kids have been fantastic, we have seen improvements in coordination and especially self confidence, the workout they get doesn’t hurt either.

Wylie and Eliza really enjoy the training, always coming off with a smile.
All the staff are really friendly and are always glad to see us and to make life even easier we don’t even need to go shopping for equipment because they have everything you need right there at a good price. Thanks to the Team at Toodokan Self Defense Academy”

“We came across the Toodokan Self Defence Academy one afternoon when Sensei Lincoln and Sensei Rachel were handing out Free Lesson pamphlets at my daughter’s school. She asked me what it was and I told her a free karate lesson, and the rest is history. In 2011 she came for her free lesson and hasn’t stopped since. What she had learnt here is something not just anyone can teach a child about at home, and she looks at Master John and all the Sensei’s as family.

After watching how fast she progressed and the confidence she was gaining I decided to join as well. To start off with I was unfit and unmotivated and the goals and fitness I have achieved in a short time are unbelievable. As for the motivation I now have I can’t explain I’ve gone from training once every now and then to training at least four times a week and I can’t get enough!

Master John and all the Sensei’s are like our extended family now and I’m so glad to have been able to experience and achieve what my daughter and I have, and what we will.

I can’t thank Master John and his staff enough for doing what they do best – encourage everyone as an individual.”

“When I joined Toodokan I was over 100kg and did not have the expectation that this would ever change. I was never made to feel inadequate or unable at any time in classes or when training in the gym. Toodokan helped me change my perception of my abilities, lose 25kg and change my lifestyle. I have since convinced my mother to join and even with rheumatoid arthritis, Master John has been able to help her get fit and active.
This is program and environment I recommend to anyone no matter what their size, shape or fitness level.”