Welcome to
Midwest karate
Sensei Mark Minarik is a 6th degree black belt registered with the International Traditional Karate Federation, under Hidetaka Nishiyama.
He is currently ranked as a Provincial Level A, National level A, and an International Level B official with the respective Traditional Karate governing bodies. He is a Provincial and National team coach and Provincial, National, and International seminar Instructor.
As an athlete, our instructor has been involved in the art of Traditional Karate since 1978. Provincially he held the title of kumite champion for 10 consecutive years, 1990 -1999, as well as kata champion for numerous years. Nationally, he has been kata and kumite champion for multiple years, and a National Team member from 1986 to 2004. Internationally, Mark was selected as a World Cup Athlete. and received gold medals in Pan American and silver medals in the World Championships.
Sensei Minarik is also a well established Registered Massage Therapist. This background gives him an innate understanding of the human body, how it works, how to create power and energy, and how to minimize the chance of injury through correct movement and proper core stabilization.
MARK MINARIK
MEET YOUR SENSEI
Kelly Watts
Bryce Nagy
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Traditional Karate is a beautiful, ancient, weaponless art of self defense thought to have originated is Okinawa during the Middle Ages, and was influenced by Chinese martial arts. In the early seventeenth century the Japanese Satsuma clan occupied Okinawa and imposed severe restrictions on the native population, including a ban on weapons. Karate was practiced in secret, and the art became essential to the survival of many Okinawans, who had no other means of protecting themselves and their families from bandits and occupying forces. In 1922 Master Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate to Japan, demonstrating in Tokyo at the National Athletic Champianships. In the early 1930's Master Funakoshi had established his own school in Tokyo. Funakoshi practiced calligraphy under the pen name Shoto, and his students referred to the school as Shotokan, which means "Shoto's School". Eventually, Funakoshi's system of Karate came to be known as Shotokan-ryu , and is one of the four major systems of traditional Karate practiced today.
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu traces its roots to Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, particularly the teachings of Kano Jigoro (1860-1938), the founder of Judo. In 1914, Jigoro's top student Mitsuyo Maeda (1878-1941) traveled to Brazil, settling in the Northern region of Brazil in Belem. Maeda taught Judo, then called Kano Jiu-Jitsu, to Carlos Gracie (1902-1994), and he passed his knowledge onto his younger brothers. 14-year old Helio Gracie (1913-2009) was unable to participate with his older brothers as he was naturally small and frail. He adapted Maeda's teachings to develop Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing leverage, technique, and ground fighting for smaller or weaker students. Gracie went on to compete and win many submission-based competitions nationally and internationally. As Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was taught increasingly outside the Gracie family, the broader name Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began to be used.
"Jiu-Jitsu is for the protection of the individual: the older man, the weak, the child, the lady and the young woman: anyone who doesn't have the physical attributes to defend themselves"
-Helio Gracie
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
At Midwest Karate we teach traditional Shotokan Karate.
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
At Midwest Karate, we train in a style of Karate that is non-contact.
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
BJJ and Karate are excellent complements to each other. Karate focuses on striking and stand-up defence whereas Bjj focuses on grappling and ground defence.
"Karate teaches you how to keep distance. BJJ teaches you what to do when distance is lost."
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
Most training consist of three main things, Kihom (basics), Kata (logical arrangements of blocking, punching, striking and kicking techniques in certain set sequences.) and Kumite (sparring). Training will always start with a warm up and stretching. Some strength training, self defence and other activities will also be included.
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
Classes are divided into age groups. we also offer beginner and advanced classes, as well an all age class on Saturdays so that families can train together 😊
Check out our class schedule HERE >
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
Anyone ages four and older are able to join. We have a wide range of classes to support many different ages.
Check out our classes HERE >
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
WHAT IS KARATE?
What is brazilian jiu-jitsu?
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
IS KARATE A CONTACT SPORT?
Why should i do bjj when i already do karate?
FAQ'S
- Joseph Z.
Midwest Karate has been a big part of my life these past 8 years. The training that I have received here has benefited me both mentally and physically. A challenge every day that keeps you coming back for more.
- Rob Miller
I was immediately impressed with Sensei Minarik and the assistant instructors, all are positive influences and great with the students.
- Emily Martens-koop
The women's self-defence classes at Midwest Karate have been so much fun. I've gained so many skills and increased my strength and confidence in my ability to defend myself in life and at my job in healthcare!
- Vennessa
Our family was very welcome by the staff and we were always treated respectfully, I really love how I feel welcomed and comfortable leaving my children and sitting in on classes. My children have learned so much and have become very strong, I am very pleased my girls are learning the skills to being more disciplined and to protect themselves. I highly recommend Midwest Karate if people are considering putting their children in Karate classes.
- Alex
I used to think Karate was great for discipline and exercise, but overly traditional, and likely not great for street self-defence. After watching some of the coaches and high-level students in class, then training with them myself (including some full-speed sparring), I have completely changed my tune. Sensei and a few others could absolutely destroy me on the street, yet they're super nice/easygoing. All good people there.
- Loi Nguyen
Both my children trained with Sensei Mark as a part of Midwest Karate since 2022 and they absolutely loved it. It teaches them to be patient and be disciplined in everyday life. Highly recommended!
- Nektaria ulan-hohol
Fantastic place full of fantastic people! Their Women's Self Defence class is particularly enriching, and unfortunately a necessity in this day and age. Very highly recommended!
What Students Say
FAQ'S
WHAT IS KARATE?
WHAT STYLE OF KARATE DOES MIDWEST TEACH?
Is Karate a contact sport?
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO STUDENTS DO IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
WILL I TRAIN WITH PEOPLE MY OWN AGE?
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN?
Traditional Karate is a beautiful, ancient, weaponless art of self defense thought to have originated is Okinawa during the Middle Ages, and was influenced by Chinese martial arts. In the early seventeenth century the Japanese Satsuma clan occupied Okinawa and imposed severe restrictions on the native population, including a ban on weapons. Karate was practiced in secret, and the art became essential to the survival of many Okinawans, who had no other means of protecting themselves and their families from bandits and occupying forces. In 1922 Master Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate to Japan, demonstrating in Tokyo at the National Athletic Champianships. In the early 1930's Master Funakoshi had established his own school in Tokyo. Funakoshi practiced calligraphy under the pen name Shoto, and his students referred to the school as Shotokan, which means "Shoto's School". Eventually, Funakoshi's system of Karate came to be known as Shotokan-ryu , and is one of the four major systems of traditional Karate practiced today.
At Midwest Karate we teach traditional Shotokan Karate.
At Midwest Karate, we train in a style of Karate that is non-contact.
Most training consist of three main things, Kihom (basics), Kata (Logical arrangements of blocking, punching, striking and kicking techniques in certain set sequences.) and Kumite(sparring). Training will always start with a warm up and stretching. Some strength training, self defence and other activites will also be included.
Classes are divided into age groups. we also offer beginner and advanced classes, as well an all age class on Saturdays so that families can train together 😊
Check out our classes HERE >
Anyone ages four and older are able to join. We have a wide range of classes to support many different ages.
Check out our classes HERE >
