Contact Kicks Martial Arts

09/28/2026

We are extremely proud to have Senpai Logan serving as an assistant instructor at our Barrie dojo.
Having dedicated, hardworking young men like him leading by example is what makes our community strong.

​Here is what Logan shared about his journey:

​"Training karate for over 12 years has shaped who I am. It taught me personal discipline, commitment, and how to push forward when things get difficult. More than individual progress, what I value most is our dojo community—supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and growing together.

​Outside the dojo, I work as a Marine Mechanic Apprentice in Orillia, diagnosing and fixing everything from small boats to 50-foot yachts. Through Georgian College, I won gold at the Skills Ontario Competition and competed at Nationals.
Karate prepared me directly for that—giving me the focus, knowledge, and perseverance to perform under pressure.

​I’m currently training toward my 2nd Dan, using it as an opportunity to keep refining my skills, character, and giving back to our students."

​Thank you for your dedication to the dojo and to the next generation of martial artists, Senpai Logan.
Osu!

09/28/2026

Taikyoku Sono Ichi — one of the first and simplest kata in Kyokushin.

You're starting with almost nothing:

- basic stance — Zenkutsu Dachi
- basic block — Gedan Barai
- basic punch — Chudan Oi Tsuki
- simple directional pattern — although the hardest part when you start learning it is probably remembering which way to turn :)
- repetition

Yet you're already being introduced to the idea of seeing the whole picture ;)

So what does Taikyoku actually mean?

The kanji used for Taikyoku are 太極.

太 (tai) = great, grand, supreme
極 (kyoku) = extreme, ultimate, culmination

So “Grand Ultimate,” “Supreme Ultimate,” “Ultimate Principle,” and similar translations are all attempts to convey the meaning.

Mas Oyama's Kyokushin material specifically translates Taikyoku as “Grand Ultimate” and also explains it as seeing the whole rather than focusing on individual parts, while keeping an open or “beginner's mind.”

The idea is essentially:

Don't become so focused on one little detail that you lose sight of the whole.

Pretty deep meaning for one of the very first kata you learn. :)

Osu!

09/27/2026

It might look like a simple pose, but Seiza is so much more than meets the eye!
It's a fundamental part of the journey.

In this moment of quiet strength, students like this focused young man are learning some of life's biggest lessons:

- Discipline: Remaining still, respectful, and fully present.
- Focus: Training the mind to clear away distractions before and after training.
- Patience: Enduring discomfort without reaction.
- Resilience: Powering through when your legs get numb, a quiet form of mental toughness.

From the very first day, learning to sit with proper posture is a cornerstone. It sets the tone for respect, concentration, and determination for the entire class.

What was the most challenging part of learning seiza for you?

09/26/2026

That time of the year when our Barrie Dojo changes its colours! :)

You start from a White Belt, then progress through Orange → Blue → Yellow → Green → Brown → Black in Kyokushin WKB.

This time the dojo brightens up with a few new Yellow Belts! And a few White Belts are not White anymore — they are officially part of the game! :)

Just think of it — you step on the mats today and in something like 3 years you can be a Yellow or even Green Belt with some effort and consistency put into it. And then suddenly it feels not that far from Black Belt!

Time flies fast, and you’ll definitely be investing your time in something valuable if you take this path — getting stronger physically and mentally!

Free Kyokushin karate class is always available here in Barrie, Ontario.

09/25/2026

You can kick the air all day, but it won’t tell you much.

Hitting a shield with a partner changes things. It lets you actually lean into the kick, find your range, and feel what happens when your foot makes real contact. If your balance is off or your stance is weak, you find out immediately.

Good round of combinations with our teens and adults here in Barrie.

If you’ve been looking to get some sweat in, clear your head, and train with a down-to-earth group, come by and try a free class with us. We don't do locked-in contracts or awkward sales pitches—just honest work on the mat.

Link in the bio to jump in, or send us a DM if you have questions.

​📍 Barrie: 101 Ardagh Rd. (Ages 6 to adult)

09/25/2026

Registration is open now for the 2026 Nakamura Cup. We are now making our competition team. Those interested in competing reach out asap.

09/25/2026

Meet Senpai Chris Wharton-Hood, Instructor at our Contact Kicks Mississauga dojo.

With over 30 years of martial arts experience, Senpai Chris brings a rare technical depth to our mats. He holds a 1st Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate and is also a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Since beginning his training in the early 1990s,Senpai Chris has explored disciplines like Ashihara Karate and Muay Thai, but Kyokushin remains his home for stand-up combat because of its uncompromising focus on mental toughness, conditioning, and discipline. His combined background in high-level striking and ground control gives our students a deep, practical understanding of leverage, distance, and resilience.

Whether you are stepping onto the mats for the first time or looking to sharpen your technique, Senpai Chris is dedicated to helping every student build genuine skill, humility, and physical strength.

Come train with us in Mississauga.
Osu!

09/24/2026

Too many martial arts instructors stop sweating once they get their black belt. They stand on the side, shouting orders and talk about how good they used to be back in the days.

That doesn't fly here.
If we expect our students to hit hard, move clean, and push through fatigue, we have to show them it’s possible first.
Shihan Steve is in his mid-50s and still on the floor every week putting real power into the pads with rhythm and control. Age isn’t an excuse to get sloppy or let your conditioning slide.
That’s the standard across the board at Contact Kicks and WKB Canada. Our instructors actually walk the walk.

If you want to learn from people who still live this every single day—no egos, no belt mills, and no high-pressure contracts—come step on the mat.

Drop a comment or even better: stop by for a free trial class. Link in bio.

📍 Barrie Dojo: 101 Ardagh Rd. (Ages 6 to adult)
📍 Mississauga Dojo: 2359 Royal Windsor Dr #11 (Teens & adults 12+)

09/24/2026

You can't out-train a bad lifestyle.

At our dojo in Barrie on Ardagh Road, we care just as much about what happens after you step off the floor—eating real food, getting outside, and staying healthy enough to actually show up for your family. And as instructors, we make sure we live that standard ourselves, not just talk about it.

Read on why we do things differently:

When people think about martial arts, they usually picture someone throwing high kicks, breaking boards, or defending themselves in a tight spot. Those things get attention, but on their own, they are only a small piece of the puzzle.If you train hard in the dojo for a couple of hours a week, but th...

09/23/2026

Ushiro Kakato Geri Chudan - Back Kick

Back kicks are great but tricky :) Easy to lose your balance and miss the target.

Last class at Barrie Dojo, Shihan shared this great tip for the back kick: turn the body with the hands and head.

The turn helps the body get into position for the kick while keeping the upper body controlled and balanced over the supporting leg.

It’s a small technical detail, but it can make a big difference in the control and stability of the kick.

A few moments from our Teens/Adults Kyokushin Karate class in Barrie, ON.

Want to join us? You are always welcome to try a free class - link in bio.

Osu!