Welcome To Tallack Martial Arts

Visit our custom designed facility, with multiple training areas to allow us to separate classes by age and skill level.

We provide the highest level of service by maintaining an optimal instructor to student ratio, allowing for you to get the personal attention required, for each and every class.

Tallack Martial Arts takes pride in being able to serve our community through events supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Salvation Army and many others!

Our team of fully qualified male and female black belt instructors is led by Master Instructor Hanshi K.B. Tallack, 9th Degree Black Belt.

Our Promise To You

• Tallack Martial Arts will set the standards for the local, as well as the national Martial Arts industry.
• We are committed to maintaining the traditional teachings of the masters that have been passed down over the generations, using modern educational methods.
• Our members will become part of a tightly knit community. We strive to be an accepting group of individuals who are all here for the purposes of spiritual, moral, ethical, and physical development.
• Our classes will be separated by age and experience to ensure that each and every student receives the maximum benefit from their class. They will be well-organized, time efficient, and fun.
• We have a friendly, versatile team that is knowledgeable and fully committed to providing world class service.
• We will provide facilities that are spacious and well-maintained, in order to provide the cleanest, safest, and best possible physical learning environment.
• We will continue to expand our organization by fulfilling our commitments to our members, as well as the community at large. We will achieve this through ongoing instructor training and education, team pro-activity, and ethical business practices.

 Our Student Creed

• I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that could reduce my mental growth or physical health.
• I will develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
• I will use common sense before self-defense and avoid anything that could be abusive or offensive.
• This is a black belt school, we are dedicated, we are motivated, we are on a quest to be our best!

When you want the very best, come to Tallack Martial Arts, its exercise with a purpose!

 Getting Started…

•              Please begin by thoroughly examining this student manual.

•              Study the “Guidelines to Martial Arts” as they are our Dojo rules, and must be followed.  It is up to the student and their parents to familiarize themselves with our Dojo rules.

•              Review the student creed.

•              Valuables should be left at home or in your car.

•              Jewellery is not to be worn in the classroom.

•              Parents must read and follow the drop off and pick up procedures.

Please approach your training with diligence, and keep in mind that the learning of Martial Arts is not the work of a week, a month, or a single year, but rather the result of years of serious study.  The true value of Martial Arts is in the learning.  As you will see, its value lies more in the journey and not in the final destination.

Guidelines to Martial Arts Learning

1.            Please remove your shoes in the entry area. Please store them neatly on the shoe racks which are located in both the front and rear hallways.

2.            When you enter or leave the Dojo, remember to stop, to bow, and to say “O-negai-shimasu” (meaning “will you practice with me?”) when entering, and “Arigato” (meaning “thank you”) when exiting.

3.            At all times, please remember to address the head instructors where appropriate as either “Hanshi” or “Sensei”, both inside and outside the Dojo.  “Hanshi” means “professor” and “Sensei” means “ahead in the way” or “teacher”.  Please address all of the other instructors as either “Sir” or “Ma’am”. This continues our culture of courtesy and respect.

4.            If your “Gi” (uniform) comes undone during class, etiquette requires that you turn away from the instructor and/or your partner, kneel down on one knee and quickly fix it.

5.            Your Gi must be CLEAN, and in good condition.

6.            If you do not feel well in class, raise your hand to get the instructor’s attention. Never leave the Dojo without permission.

7.            If you arrive late to class, kneel in the doorway until the instructor gives you permission to enter.

8.            Please keep your attention on your class.  Don’t talk to spectators or passers-by.

9.            Have pride and respect in your school.  Be neat and show your pride by cleaning up after yourself.  DO NOT speak critically about other practitioners.

10.         Please bring everything you need for class in a small kit bag.  Bring it to the Dojo every time you train.  Leave all valuables at home.

11.         If at all possible, arrive dressed for your class in your Gi.  Dressing rooms are provided for times when this is not possible.

12.         Training a minimum of two classes a week is recommended.  Three times is better, more is great!

13.         If you go on vacation or are sick, please let us know and your membership time can be put on hold. Remember, it is your responsibility to put your membership on hold before you go.  If for any reason you would like to cancel your membership 30 days written notice is required.

14.         Dojo clean ups happen periodically.  At these times, we give our Dojo a thorough scrubbing and make any general repairs.  Your help is greatly appreciated on these days.

15.         NO jewellery in the Dojo please.  Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed.  Personal hygiene is essential.

16.         NO smoking anywhere on Dojo property.  NO smoking in your Gi at any time, anywhere.

17.         Do NOT drink alcohol or consume any other drugs (be they prescription or otherwise) before class.

18.         Parents are not permitted either in the classroom or near the classroom door during a regular class as this can be distracting.  Please wait in the area provided. Graduations are the times for parents and friends to come into the Dojo, to observe the children, and to celebrate their successes.

19.         Once a graduation has begun, NO ONE may leave early.

20.         Parking is available in the front parking lot off of Princess St and the back parking lot off of Woodbine Road.   Extra parking can be found along Woodbine Road

21.         Tallack Martial Arts, its students and its instructors are not responsible for any reactions that are caused by any allergy problems.

22.         Courteous speech and behavior is expected at all times.

23.         Students cross training in other Dojo or in different activities must keep the head instructor notified.

24.         The parents of 4 and 5 year old children are required to accompany their children inside.  Young children should be accompanied by parents if they need to use the dressing rooms.

25.         Parents and students are required to follow these, and all other Dojo rules.

26.         Dojo rules and guidelines are always being updated; please see the Sensei for any further added regulations.

How To Put On The Uniform (Karate Gi)

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

The Jacket:  The right flap of the jacket has a string at the end, which ties to the other string found on the inside of the jacket on the left side (see diagram “A”).  After you have the right side tied, you wrap the left flap of the jacket and tie it on the right side (see diagram “B”).

The Belt:  The belt is tied in a square knot.

1)            Fold the belt in half to find the center point.

2)            Place the center point at the front of the waist (Step #1).

3)            Wrap the belt around and back to the front (Step #2).

4)            Match up the ends to make sure that they are even.

5)            Now make an “X” with the ends by putting the right end on top of the left.  Grab the right end      and tuck it under both sections of the belt (Step #3 and #4).

6)            Now make another “X” using the old right (which is now the left) and cross it over the old left (which is now the right) (Step #6).

7)            Pull the new left through the loop that has been created and pull the two ends tightly (Step #7 and #8).

Student Drop-Off, Pick-Up, And Parent Waiting Procedures

Students and parents must observe the following procedures for the safety and convenience of all members.

1.            Parents should drop off their child no more than 10 minutes before their class is scheduled to begin.

2.            Once a child’s class is over, a parent or guardian should be waiting to pick them up.  Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes after your child’s class has ended.

3.            Children less than 14 years of age are not allowed to leave the building until their parent(s) are in the parking lot and the child can clearly see their parent(s).

4.            Parents are encouraged to stay during the first few weeks of their child’s Martial Arts journey.  After the child is comfortable in their beginner class, parents are welcome to use class time for errands, etc.

We have made “BUILDING CHILDREN” a study.  Thank you for allowing us to assist you in this most important of jobs…BUILDING YOUR CHILD.

Tallack Martial Arts Children’s Learning Systems

Our children’s Martial Arts Programs offer a variety of benefits for your child; benefits that they will receive as a result of their own hard work, dedication and self-discipline.  Your child will be guided through the “Tallack Martial Arts Learning Program” by our highly trained and experienced instructors, and be personally assisted by their own individual groups and coaches.  Martial Arts schools all across Canada use “Tallack Martial Arts Education Systems”.

Our class sizes are limited so that your child will receive all of the personal attention that they need.  While this can create a waiting list for entry into our program(s), it ensures the existence of a consistently high-quality learning program where your child can learn and develop.  Our goal is to see the children grow in confidence, while developing their powers of concentration through both the physical and the mental exercises which are inherent in Karate. 

Parents play an important role in the “Tallack Martial Arts Learning Program” by being supportive of the instructors.  It helps to have parents explain the necessity for discipline and the future value of the mental skills that Karate provides.  The instructors are here to help your child advance in life.  Please feel free to come and speak with us about anything.  Informing us of anything from academic and/or other situations which can arise at school, about home life changes, or even about their TV interests will help our instructors keep in touch with YOUR goals and expectations for your child.

Our goals are to develop long-term mental and physical benefits.  This is achieved by setting, and ultimately achieving, both short and long-term goals, and through Karate discipline. We utilise a system of gentle discipline, using positive reinforcement in order to encourage and to enhance each child’s sense of self-esteem and confidence.  

Classroom time is split between very active exercises that develop long-term Martial Arts skills, and exercises that are designed to develop the powers of concentration and focused thought.  Children grow in self-esteem as they find themselves able to perform more complex movements, and as they find that they are capable of doing things that they never imagined they could.

By attaining the different levels of Karate belts, students learn how to set and to achieve goals.  The effect of your son or daughter being rewarded by a new belt is life-enhancing.  Your son or daughter’s “I can do it” belief approach to Karate and in turn their approach to other things beyond Karate, is reinforced as they progress through the belt system.  This in turn helps to catapult them forward toward their next achievements.

Martial Arts are more a matter of practicing with the right attitude, rather than aptitude.  In a study by Harvard University, 85% of the reasons for success and accomplishment were attributed to attitude, and only 15% were attributed to technical expertise. 

A “YES I CAN” ATTITUDE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

Children

Our learning system for children includes a monthly progress check and “Tip Test”. This means that during the third week of each month, each student’s performance is critiqued by the head instructor, and rewarded with either a new tip on their belt or a whole new belt.  The tips placed on your child’s belt each month let the instructors know what they should be doing, and they let you know that your child is progressing the way that he or she should. 

All students under the age of 14 years tip test each month during their regular class times. Tip tests are held during the third week of each month, and these times are posted in the Dojo.  A new tip will be placed on your child’s belt each month provided that the ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE criteria have been met. A minimum attendance requirement of 8 classes per month must be met in order to progress to the next tip or belt, and the student must demonstrate an age appropriate grasp of the presented material. That’s right, it’s not enough just to be there, you have to EARN IT. You will also need to hand in your completed monthly Home Achievement Chart, this sheet shows whether your child has been practicing their karate at home and have been helping with chores and their responsibilities at home. This sheet will be required for each and every tip test your child participates in. These are handed out to the students once a month during each testing week to use for the month until the next testing week starts.

EVERY TIME a student tests for a new belt, they need to complete an additional Belt Testing Sheet. This asks the student questions on our concepts, terms, and practice in class that they have been learning. It needs to be completed and brought in when a student tests for their belt that testing week.

The number of tips a student receives on their belt before receiving a new belt depends on two criteria:  1. the student’s age; and 2. the student’s level.  As a general rule, younger students receive more tips than the older students, and beginner students tend to receive fewer tips than the advanced ones.

Friends and family members are encouraged to attend our graduation ceremonies which are held on the Friday evening at the end of testing week. We occasionally attend a local restaurant afterwards to eat dinner and celebrate with the students and their families. Please RSVP with us when you attend the graduation ceremony.

Adult Learning Systems

Our adult learning programs are based on the expectation that adults will direct their own studies into the areas that interest them.  The actual structure of adult classes varies with the different programs that we offer.  Some courses are very traditional, while others are “drop-in” casual.  The different styles of study appeal to different people, and we often witness individuals surprising themselves with what they find they enjoy.  Please try everything, give it all your best effort, and the best results will accrue to you.

Classical Martial Arts:

Classical Martial Arts learning requires a commitment not only to class attendance, but also to the hierarchy of the activity.  From the time that we “bow” as we enter the Dojo, we commit ourselves to “subjugating personal desire for instant gratification for the development of mind and spirit through the disciplined exercises of Karate, Kobudo, and Kung-Fu”.  Traditional clothing helps to set the mood that leads to safe, structured learning.

These classes combine strong workout ethics with disciplined performance.  Emphasis is placed on learning how to utilize the strength you already possess through placing your body into the classical postures.  You will learn to understand yourself and your motion in an entirely new way as you learn the techniques divined by the ancients and preserved through their forms of movement.

Develop an indomitable spirit by pushing yourself through limits you never knew you had. …Learn self-defence for survival. …Learn about the history, philosophy, and traditions, all while undertaking a great, fulfilling workout through classical Martial Arts.

Combining classes can lead to a holistic Martial Arts experience, available only at Tallack Martial Arts.  Talk to your instructor for more information and assistance in making the most of the time that you have.

•              Goju-Ryu Meitoku-ha Karate-do

•              Okinawan Kobudo

•              Japanese Kendo

•              Shao-lin Kung-Fu

•              Brazillian Jiu Jitsu

•              Chinese Lion Dance

IT IS ALL EXERCISE WITH A PURPOSE!