Hi gang,
Once again I’ve stupidly let myself go and need to get back into shape desperately. I’m interested in getting back into martial arts but relocated from London to Toronto.
My three prerequisites:
Live Sparring I do not want to end up somewhere where they think their art is too deadly for the ring.
Sword - particularly a school with resistance practice.
In the GTA.
A CMA school is of course preferred but not required. Any tips?
Where are you at in Toronto Simon?
Are you looking to get into competitions?
I can’t think of any “traditional” kung fu schools that will have you live sparring off the bat or sword sparring.
However, I can think of several mma joints that will have you on the matt in a matter of months doing full contact if that’s what you like.
For sword, join a fencing club. You’ll get more practical sword use knowledge from that as opposed to waiting to learn a sword form, then apps, then resistent live sparring.
I can’t think of a single club in the GTA that will offer you what you are looking for right off the street.
martial arts wont get you back in shape. you need a gym membership
I need to get back into something vaguely resembling shape before I consider competition. Two years sitting on my ass writing a book were not kind to my waistline. :eek:
I won’t lie: I just like stepping into the ring - it’s fun. 
I am in Danforth Village.
Sad there isn’t anywhere in t-dot for sword sparring and boxing; there is a school for that in London (my old one) and not a day goes by that I don’t miss them. It’s just life took me to a different place.
Thanks for the info anyway David.
[QUOTE=SimonM;1102276]I need to get back into something vaguely resembling shape before I consider competition. Two years sitting on my ass writing a book were not kind to my waistline. :eek:
I won’t lie: I just like stepping into the ring - it’s fun.
I am in Danforth Village.
Sad there isn’t anywhere in t-dot for sword sparring and boxing; there is a school for that in London (my old one) and not a day goes by that I don’t miss them. It’s just life took me to a different place.
Thanks for the info anyway David.[/QUOTE]
London has a crapload of martial arts schools. I think they have more per capita than anywhere else in north america.
millionaires too.
go figure.
[QUOTE=SimonM;1102276]I need to get back into something vaguely resembling shape before I consider competition. Two years sitting on my ass writing a book were not kind to my waistline. :eek:
I won’t lie: I just like stepping into the ring - it’s fun.
I am in Danforth Village.
Sad there isn’t anywhere in t-dot for sword sparring and boxing; there is a school for that in London (my old one) and not a day goes by that I don’t miss them. It’s just life took me to a different place.
Thanks for the info anyway David.[/QUOTE]
You may have to go to multiple places.
Of course if you are OK with the Japanese systems you can join the Japanese cultural center and get Judo and Kendo, I was there for a few years.
But TCMA ??
Nah, you won’t find any COMMERCIAL school like that.
Judo and Kendo just might scratch my itch… if I can’t find a CMA alternative…
[QUOTE=SimonM;1102316]Judo and Kendo just might scratch my itch… if I can’t find a CMA alternative…[/QUOTE]
Have you tried the JingWu academy?
Not sure if they have what you are looking for, but if anyone does, they might.
i thought they closed a long time ago?
[QUOTE=bawang;1102326]i thought they closed a long time ago?[/QUOTE]
That is a small deterrent for a real kung fu man !!
[QUOTE=bawang;1102326]i thought they closed a long time ago?[/QUOTE]
I was operating under the same assumption. Also I didn’t realize there was a Jing Wu in Toronto. If there is that would be very good.
http://www.martialartsclubdirectory.com/martial-arts/Canada/Ontario/Toronto/kung-fu-schools/
Maybe this can help.
I recall a “white tiger” school that did kung fu and MMA together, or at least I think that was their name…
[QUOTE=SimonM;1102333]I was operating under the same assumption. Also I didn’t realize there was a Jing Wu in Toronto. If there is that would be very good.[/QUOTE]
There’s a big martial arts mishmash club on Queen street.
There is also the Japan cultural centre on the Danforth and…sigh a wing chun club..
[QUOTE=David Jamieson;1102346]There’s a big martial arts mishmash club on Queen street.
There is also the Japan cultural centre on the Danforth and…sigh a wing chun club..:p[/QUOTE]
The Karate dojo is Okuyama’s I went there for a bit, good old school shotokan under Kubota.
[QUOTE=David Jamieson;1102346]There’s a big martial arts mishmash club on Queen street.
There is also the Japan cultural centre on the Danforth and…sigh a wing chun club..:p[/QUOTE]
I think I’ve seen it. Twin Dragons?
Wasn’t very impressed.
Shotokan is generally pretty respectable though…
[QUOTE=SimonM;1102352]I think I’ve seen it. Twin Dragons?
Wasn’t very impressed.
Shotokan is generally pretty respectable though…[/QUOTE]
shotokan won’t have you free sparring and will have you dong mostly kata work, some drills and occasional kumite (what they consider sparring).
You will get out of anything what you put into it though.
If you check out Hong Luck on Spadina & Dundas I believe they offer san shou now as well as trad chinese martial arts.
and you can get there via subway all the way! 
[QUOTE=David Jamieson;1102382]
If you check out Hong Luck on Spadina & Dundas I believe they offer san shou now as well as trad chinese martial arts.
and you can get there via subway all the way! :)[/QUOTE]
I’ve been considering Hong Luck. I spend enough time in the neighbourhood that it could work out for location.
Have you trained with them at all?
[QUOTE=SimonM;1102384]I’ve been considering Hong Luck. I spend enough time in the neighbourhood that it could work out for location.
Have you trained with them at all?[/QUOTE]
Good school, good CLF.
Was there for a bit but found something more to my liking and left but that was like 90 or 91 from what I recall.
Thanks guys. I was kind of hoping the two of you could recommend a place and voila!
I’ll check them out.
[QUOTE=SimonM;1102384]I’ve been considering Hong Luck. I spend enough time in the neighbourhood that it could work out for location.
Have you trained with them at all?[/QUOTE]
Nope. They are CLF, I’m Hung.
Still, I’ve trained with others who have experience there and have corresponded with a few others.
Paul has a good reputation as a teacher and I have actually never once heard anything bad about his club. Only good things and my impressions of those who studied in his school were always positive.
Also, he has a tremendously long track record, the oldest Kung Fu school in Toronto etc etc etc.
Probably right up your alley man.