Sensei George Taylor

Sensei Taylor started Karate at the age of 18 in 1964 under O-Sensei Masami Tsuruoka, the father of Canadian Karate.  He was graded and obtained his Shodan in 1967, proving to be a formidable Kumite opponent in tournaments as a Kyu belt.  Perhaps because he was held back for a full year at Orange Belt, his favourite level was as a Green Belt.  He continued tournament participation as a Shodan competing at the annual CNE national tournaments up to 1975 when he received a concussion and loss of hearing in his left ear.  He continued to train with Master Tsuruoka as well as with Sensei Monty Guest, both of whom he considers to be significant influences on both his Karate and his life.

As well as training with these eminent influences on his life, Sensei Taylor began to assist Sensei Brad Jones as he opened his Newmarket Dojo in 1976.  He also recognizes Sensei Jones as a significant influence. Sensei Taylor graded to Nidan in 1981 along with Sensei Jones.  His Sandan grading followed in 1986 and he was subsequently awarded Yodan (1989) and Godan (1995) by Master Tsuruoka. With 40 plus years of training to his credit, Sensei Taylor embodies what he considers to be the most important trait of a karate-ka  "Perseverance".

Sensei Taylor adopts a practical and down to earth style of teaching Karate.  He advises that the potential of all karate-ka is different and one must work to full-fill one's potential.  He feels that Karate mirrors the journey of life and that the journey is the most important thing (not the destination), therefore Karate training never ends (and can begin at any time).  For older Karate-ka he recommends a realistic approach to knowing your weaknesses and using your strengths to compensate for them.  His own favourite Kata is Taikyoku Shodan, variations on which are frequently used as the basis for warm-up in his Saturday morning class.  His favourite attack in Kumite is Gyaku Zuki followed by the vicious and highly effective 'Taylor' Mae Geri.

Sensei Taylor has come to appreciate the many things that Kata brings to his practice.  Practiced as a whole across many different Kata it develops muscle strength, balance, and challenges the body to strengthen its weak areas.  It develops the subliminal moves that emerge (surprisingly) in the middle of Kumite when one frees the mind and lets the body do what it has been trained for.  Thus the famous Sensei Taylor battle cry ...

Free your mind and ... Y.A.W.F.