Summer Classes

Summers classes will be held at the Elmwood dojo and in Devon at the Devon community hall this year. Fee's will be modest for the summer classes and an excellent opportunity to stay sharp and work out with the senior sensei's. We will also be working on Kobudo during the summer classes. The classes in Devon will be held on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 9:00. The Elmwood classes will be held on Thursday nights from 7:00 - 9:00. If you are a member in good standing with Shito-ryu Itosu-kai Canada you are welcome at these classes. Students should purchase a Bo and set of Tonfa of their own and bring them to each class.

Fall tournament to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of karate in Devon.

The tournament was a great success. Congratulations to all the students that competed and thank you to everyone that put so much time into making this event such a success. We ended up with 28 competitors and put their hearts into it. Tournament results can be found by click the link to the tournament page. A special thank you to the  students who traveled from Sylvan Lake to compete. 

"20 years of teaching Shitoryu Karate in Devon"

It was 20 years ago today...........

This familiar refrain rings true for the Devon arm of the Alberta Shitoryu Itosu-Kai Karate and Kobudo Association.  It really was 20 years ago that the Devon club started up due to the Parks and Recreation coordinator for the Town of Devon at that time named Melody Small.  She was in need of programs and we as an association  needed to expand.  One of our longer term members knew her and they talked.  Next thing we knew there was a club operating in Devon.  Staying true to our roots of providing Traditional Karate at reasonable prices for families wasn't all that hard and twenty years later we're still doing it.  Lot's of our current students attend in family groups and even students that have moved on still drop in and visit the classes from time to time to say hello. 

The Town of Devon has been a strong supporter of our program for the past twenty years and as it stands, Devon is the second longest serving club within the Alberta contingent of Shitoryu Karate.  Students form Devon have competed at local, provincial and national tournaments and much more importantly fared well at all levels of the art.  In twenty years of operating in Devon, we have taught Shitoryu Itosu-Kai Karate to over 500 students from all walks of life, ages and creeds.  One thing about traditional Karate that is always true; there is no distinction other than hard work and honest effort.

We encourage the citizens of Devon and the surrounding area to come in and take a class with us.  All we can say is it will be an experience you won't likely forget soon and perhaps if the interest is there, it will turn into a life-long pursuit.  You might even learn something.  We wish to thank Devon for it's support over the last two decades and we welcome new students at any class.

" 25 years of teaching Shitoryu Karate in Alberta"

Welcome back to all of our returning students.  This fall marks our 25th year of teaching Shitoryu Karate in Alberta.  Little did I know 25 years ago what I was getting into, I was just looking for a place to work out and not change what I practiced.  Since that time we've seen marriages within the group, births, deaths and even divorces.  Through it all the Itosu Kai family pulled together, helped each other move,  attended graduations, played golf, helped a needy family at Christmas time so that 5 kids had gifts under the tree and food in the fridge.  We've gone to Ireland, South America, Japan and Australia to visit associated dojo's.  We've attended provincial, national and international tournaments and made friends all over the world and Canada.

One of our first students (Mario DiLullo) is graduating from the Edmonton Police Services training program fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a police officer.  Another of our members (Karen Cryer) is graduating as an RCMP officer at about the same time.  All too soon one of them will be handing out a ticket to one of us for speeding........and who's going to argue with one of our black belts?

On a more reflective note this fall also marks a sad day for Itosu Kai in Canada.  Two senior instructors (30 years plus), Frank Robinson-5th Dan and Tony Agnello-5th Dan passed away due to cancer.  Both men were friends of mine and fellow instructors.  Frank ran his own dojo for many years in Meaford, most recently at the head club in Toronto and Tony ran the club in Parry Sound.  Both of these men exhibited grace and dignity in life and as things went bad due to the cancer, they showed even more.  They passed away with family, friends and the Itosu Kai family at their sides.  Hombu even had a "Celebration of Life" at the dojo to allow their fellow students and instructors to remember these men in the environment they so loved and lived.

All this being said, it is our 25th Anniversary in Alberta as of September 15, 2005.  Lot's has happened over the years and lot's more to come. The important thing to remember is we are a family in the true sense of the word and there is always someone there for you.  Practice whatever  you want to practice, but do it with passion, don't just walk through it.  Have fun at what you do but do it well.  This doesn't have to mean technically well, it means do the best YOU can.  Measure yourself not against others but against yourself.

Our clubs are all starting up over the next month and we even have a new club starting hopefully in the west end close to home (for me).  Times and dates will be posted on the web site as will contact names and numbers.  Feel free to meander from club to club to get a taste of different instructor's styles of teaching.  It never hurts to get  shown variations on the same theme and remember to have fun.

Yours in the spirit of Itosu-Kai
Joe Barrau, Yodan- Karate, Nidan-Kobudo
Chief Instructor, Alberta Shitoryu Itosu-kai Karate & Kobudo Association

Manatisowin Cultural Society Friendship Tournament

The Manatisowin Cultural Society held their Annual Friendship tournament on February 20, 2005. There was an excellent turn out with students from different karate clubs from northern Alberta, Eastern Canada and members of the Canadian Nation. The competition was fierce, but local competitors gave the national team a run for their money and kept the majority of the medals in Alberta. During the tournament funds were raised for the SRI Lanka Itosu-Kai Relief Fund as well as raising funds to send Jamie Lo to the 2005 World tournament. Congratulations to all of the competitors, volunteers and the Manatisowin Cultural Society for an excellent tournament. Tournaments result will be posted on the Manatisowin Cultural Society website.

Congratulations to the following Devon Instructors and students:

Sensei Richard McNalley Kata - competed, Sparring - competed, Judging

Sensei Patrick Buhrs - Judging

Sensei Kevin Trotman  Kata - Gold medal, Sparring - competed, Kobudo - Silver medal, Judging

Troy Koealski Kata - Bronze medal, Sparring - Gold medal

Doug Reichelt Kata - competed, Sparring - competed

Colby Schuh Kata - Bronze medal, Sparring - Silver, Kobudo - competed

Jessica Fotty Kata - competed, Sparring - competed, Kobudo - competed

Michael Warrel Kata -  Kobudo - Silver medal

Jennifer Warrel Kobudo - Bronze medal

Chris Larose Kata - competed, Sparring - competed

Alberta 25th Anniversary

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Shito-ryu Itosu-kai karate in Alberta. During the last 25 years literally thousands of students have learned and gone on to teach Karate in the Edmonton and surrounding areas. We've seen national champions come from our ranks, international competitors, local and regional champions. We our proud of each and every one of our students over the last 25 years. With your continued enthusiasm, support and future Black Belts we will continue on for many more years to come. 

Alberta 25th Anniversary Invitational Tournament

The Alberta Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Karate & Kobudo Association held a tournament to commemorate the 25th  anniversary of karate in the Edmonton. Competitors from Greenfield, St. Alberta, Manatisowin and the Devon Dojo's competed together. Over 50 students and instructors were in attendance. Everyone had a great time competing and meeting students from other dojo's. We are very proud of everyone that competed and gave it their best. Tournament results can be found on the tournament web page and pictures on the on the tournament pictures web page. There will be other tournaments in the future  for you to take what you learned this day.