Welcome to GMA!
Global Martial Arts Academy is a family owned business that blends experience and knowledge in martial arts, self-defense, and fitness. Our programs provide individuals of all ages and experience, an opportunity to reach their goals. The essence of GMA is highlighted in the diverse and internationally recognized range of martial arts and fitness programs - from Wado-Kai Karate, Jeet Kune Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Kickboxing and Kali.
Global Martial Arts Academy
The Beginning:
The history of GMA is rooted with its senior instructor, Sensei Ron, who opened his first school, Southam Wado-Ryu Karate, in 1972 and has been training and teaching ever since. Ron was a Hamilton Police Officer for 31 years, working a number of different assignments. Having tested his martial art skills in real-life situations, including multi-attacker fights and weapon attacks, Ron has refined his teaching curriculum to include reality-based training, not just theory, so his students are prepared for street-level situations.
The Academy, under its current name, opened its doors in 2005 and was originally located in Binbrook, ON. After quickly outgrowing the space, Global was moved to its current location on the Hamilton escarpment in 2009.
Our Philosophy - "Family"
Global is a school that thrives on respect, courtesy, and discipline, first and foremost. Whether you join our group classes or as a private student of our many martial art disciplines, you are a part of the GMA family. This is true of our instructors, our students and the parents who have allowed us to be a part of their child's development.
"I fully recommend..."
"I fully recommend GMA and it's instructors, Ron & Daniel Yeates. We met in a training environment and quickly became good friends. They were two of the founding members of TTF and remain members still. Ron has years of teaching experience in martial arts and defensive tactics, combined with his 31 years in policing and exposure to "on the job" reality situations. This makes him uniquely qualified to teach and mentor others. Daniel's ability to quickly transfer mission critical skill sets to his students and break movements down to facilitate better learning, separate him from other instructors, while his speed and knowledge set a high standard for his students to aspire to. Both men are excellent examples of integrity, understanding and compassion.
Sifu John Koeshall, Founder and Sr. instructor - "Thru The Fire" Training Organization
San Clemente, California