The York AMA is a school of traditional martial arts, owned and operated by dedicated and professional individuals to promote and encourage the study and practice of Karate as a means of personal development in self-defense, self-discipline, and self-confidence. Since 1990 we have been THE Martial arts school to come to in Toronto's Dufferin and Eglinton west area not only because of our emphasis on Fitness, Focus and Fun in class, but also because we prepare students for the challenges of life and help coach them to perform as upstanding contributors to the community.

At our school you will find a positive and friendly group of people doing their best to improve themselves through traditional Okinawan Karate. Being a traditional school you will not find any colored uniforms, children's black belts or high-pressured sales tactics that are present at more 'commercial' clubs nor any of the loud music, over-competitive attitudes or dingy facilities of the 'undergound' clubs. What you will find is world-class training in a great facility at a reasonable price.

The fact that we are a recognized school with both Karate Ontario and the National Karate Association as well as having all of our black belt instructors fully certified with the National Coaching Certification Program should give you an idea of how serious we are about providing you with the best Karate training experience available. If ours sounds like the kind of school that you have been looking for, then we would be glad to have you. Come in and try us out for FREE anytime.

Mr. Verlaan's Martial Arts experience has been broadened and influenced by the input and feedback from some of the most respected instructors in the world, as well as his training experiences in Canada and abroad including training in Europe, China, Japan, Okinawa, and the U.S. With 25 plus years of teaching experience behind him, one of the things that Mr. Verlaan feels contributes to his success as an instructor is that he still considers himself a student of the martial arts.

He is currently a 6th Dan in Okinawan Goju Ryu and is training under 10th Dan Shihan Tetsunosuke Yasuda Sensei of the Jundokan organization. In addition to his Traditional Karate training Mr.Verlaan has pursued training in Jiu Jitsu with some of the worlds best including Rickson Gracie and Saolo Ribeiro as well as training in Judo, traditional Kobudo (weapons), wrestling, boxing and Tai Chi among other martial activities.

As a volunteer he is contributing to the improvement of the instruction of the art of Karate by representing Karate Ontario within the Toronto Sports Council and is a member of the Toronto Sports Councils City Wide working group. From his dedication, work ethic, training regimen, continued desire to improve his skills and broaden his experience, it is obvious that he considers it important to lead by example and to try to do his part to improve the standing of the martial arts in North America. That infectious work ethic tends to rub off on all of his students as their successes in Karate and in their personal lives demonstrate.