The Fighting Griffin Family Karate community has voted the club a 2024 GuelphToday Reader Favourite— and owners Kyoshi Michael Marion and Sensei Karen Short want you to know that it’s never too late to join.
“Karate is for everybody. You don’t have to get in shape before you start— getting started is how you start getting in shape,” says Kyoshi Mike.
Fighting Griffin was founded in 2003, so instructors Kyoshi Mike & Sensei Karen have seen many students blossom and succeed in their 21 years at the club. They are well known for their youth program, but the club is proud of the interest and participation in their lunch time adult classes as well.
Fighting Griffin has also started a seniors program called the Silver Griffins. These classes are for individuals who are 50+ or have mobility challenges and want to start off a little slower. Their aim is for seniors to discover confidence, strength, and joy through a traditional Karate program tailored specifically for them. Students are encouraged to enhance strength, improve balance, stability & prevent falls, engage in gentle joint mobility exercises, acquire traditional Karate skills, learn basic self-defence techniques, participate in cognitive training, and foster social connections, in a secure, inclusive, and friendly dojo environment.
“Maybe you’ve always been interested in Martial Arts, but think it’s too late,” says Sensei Karen. “We want you to know it’s not. Now is the time to try something new and exciting. If pickleball isn’t your thing, maybe Karate is.”
“Come in, do what you can, and we will help you. We can modify exercises,” adds Kyoshi Mike. “Take it slow and steady and you will see progress.”
For students with concerns about injuries or joint pain, the club is more than happy to support and accommodate. Sensei Karen has spent the last two years learning about neuro-mobility training and exercises that can help relieve joint pain and increase range of motion. A little bit of mobility work every day helps to keep you moving,” says Kyoshi Mike.
This supportive environment at Fighting Griffin is felt by students and their family members. While having fun at the same time, students of all ages are also learning the principles of the martial arts, such as self-control, confidence, hard work, and taking responsibility for their own successes.
Following the recent loss of Hanshi Scott Hogarth (Milton), the founder of Fighting Griffin Martial Arts, Michael and Karen are increasingly driven to honour his legacy. Their goal is to continue to develop individuals and strengthen their community, inspiring their students just as he inspired them. They aim to foster a sense of belonging among their students, encouraging personal growth, discipline, and respect for one another.
By implementing new programs that reflect Hanshi's teachings, they hope to create an environment where everyone can thrive, both in martial arts and in life. Through this dedication, they seek to ensure that Hanshi Scott Hogarth's values and vision continue to live on in their community.
For more information on their programs for ages 5 to 80+, visit here.
This article was sponsored by Fighting Griffin Family Karate, a 2024 GuelphToday Reader Favourite.