High Park Martial Arts Academy

I've been training here for 7 years. This style is traditional Goju Ryu Karate where your belts are earned. This isn't a mcDojo with a new belt every month. There is great camaraderie among the students. The kids classes are very popular and Sensei is often heard asking parents to not tell their kids to 'have fun' but instead to say 'work hard'. That says a great deal!

I have been a student at High Park Martial Arts for over 15 years, where I practice both karate and Tai Chi. As a couch potato by nature I have found the combination of the learning experience and the camaraderie of my fellow students a great combination to motivate and keep me moving. Sensei O'Connell takes a personal interest in helping all his students improve themselves.

High Park Martial Arts (HPMA) is a fantastic organization in which you (or your child) can hone your physical and mental health while developing self-awareness, self-discipline, self-confidence, and your ability to defend yourself should the need arise.Without hesitation, I echo the positive reviews written here -- and have to question any that are anything less than positive. My now 12-year-old son has been training under Sensei Martin O'Connell at HPMA since the fall of 2015 and I, myself, have also been studying and training under Sensei O’Connell since late 2018.Our Sensei is firm but fair and is a master of not only the Martial Arts that he teaches (Karate, Kobudo (weapons), and Tai Chi) but also of healthy living, teaching how to teach different types of learners, and of being a parent. His teaching style is NOT pedantic; Instead, he imparts knowledge and wisdom through a follow me and see (the way)" approach and by unobtrusively guiding his students to think through various scenarios. His motivational language

I was introduced to High Park Martial Arts through a 10-class gift voucher I got for my 30th birthday and have been a member ever since. Now, more than two years later, I go as often as I can. It's not the closest dojo to where I live, but I can't imagine studying anywhere else. Sensei O'Connell fosters an atmosphere of respect and hard work without ever being overbearing or intimidating, and it shows in the tenure of his students (some have been coming back for nearly all of the dojo's 23 years). I look forward to many more years as a student there.

I have been training at High Park Martial Arts Academy since the fall of 2011 and I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of instruction, the tremendous sense of community, and administrative excellence that are the hallmarks of this dojo. Since joining, Sensei has helped me grow as a person; I have dropped 50 lbs, my confidence has soared, and he has a wonderful sense of how to help students reach their potential both as a Karate student and as a person. I also enrolled my daughter (6 years old) at HPMA last year and she is consistently excited to go to her lessons each week; another testament to the quality of this dojo, Sensei, and the people who help in these classes - I cannot wait to have my youngest join soon! I look forward to continuing my journey at High Park Martial Arts for many years to come.

In a week I'll celebrate my twentieth anniversary as a student at High Park Martial Arts. I'm sixty-three years old; I'm hardly an athletic type; yet I'm a second-degree Black Belt now, and I have loved these twenty years. From Sensei O'Connell and my senior belts, I've received careful, patient instruction. I've had fabulous work-outs. I've kept moving. I've gained confidence. The lessons I've learned in karate have helped me in my work, as an actor and teacher. And some of my dearest friends in the world I've met at the dojo -- through our hours of sweating, striving, learning together, and having a truly fun time. I highly recommend High Park Martial Arts and I hope to be there at least another twenty years.

We had a bad experience. Sensai O Conner was belittling to my son. In front of the whole class. Took our year membership, when after one class, my 9 year old son didn't want to return. No refund what so ever. GREEDY. do not recommend for kids especially.

I am currently 29 years old and have always severely struggled in my life with self confidence which has consistently hindered my personal development. I have always recognized my potential is extraordinary, but have also failed to do or be. Recently, I came across a few of my grading certificates from 1997, when I was 8/9 years old. It made a huge impact on me because it reminded me of a time when I was able, through sensei O'Connell's guidence, to express myself through the practice of martial arts. I intend to reach out to him soon in order to offer gratitude. He didn't necessarily help me by believing in me, but rather helped me be showing me how to believe in myself and reassuring me in my humble, yet capable nature. Please to see this dojo is still operating.

I have been training at High Park Martial Arts for 18 years and have found my experience there invaluable. I appreciate the fact that they have been at the same location for over 22 years. The great camaraderie there has certainly helped me to improve and Sensei has helped guide me through my training from day one with his patience, motivation and encouragement. I look forward to the next 18 years.

I joined High Park Martial Arts in the mid 90's, when I was about 40 & not having a clue what was to follow. I kinda thought that they would whisper all the secrets of martial arts to me, and then I would be like Bruce Lee. NOT! I was welcomed by Sensei and started as a white belt like everyone else, total rookie. I found that so much of the training was just getting in shape and repetition of the moves, so that it all came naturally, after much practice. The rules upon entering the Dojo were very strict, with Sensei being the absolute authority, as was needed to learn karate, respect, and have no one get hurt during training. The Dojo does not want bullies in the training, and for the first year or so, everytime there was a discussion about getting rid of the crazies I think Sensei was always looking at me.With much sweat, training, and any number of bruises, along with a huge amount of support from Sensei O'Connell, I worked my way up to a Brown Belt. I was very nervous of doing kata's on my own with an audience watching, and always took my grade tests kicking and screaming. I was told it always gets easier. Not sure about that. The group of people in training always developed a real comraderie with each other and Sensei was always at the center of this. I moved back west after a number of years at the Dojo, but have great memories of my time there. Thanks to Sensei and all those who helped me in my training! High Park Martial Arts is highly recommended for all, young and old, who want the training, discipline, and respect that karate brings. And boy does it ever get you in great shape!Cheers all,Gavin