Danforth Karate Academy

Before They Go Back to School, Give Them Something That Lasts All Year 🥋

Confidence isn't built overnight. It's earned through perseverance, respect, discipline, and a community that believes in every child.

For 35 years, Danforth Karate Academy has been helping children, teens, and adults in East York and the Danforth grow stronger—on and off the mat. Our Dojo is more than a place to train; it's a place where friendships are built, character is developed, and families become part of our community.

🎉 35th Anniversary August Special

- $135 – 1 Month of Lessons
- FREE Uniform Included
- FREE Introductory Lesson for all new students

Whether your child is shy, energetic, or simply looking for a positive after-school activity, karate provides proven benefits including improved focus, self-confidence, coordination, and resilience.

📍 1096 Danforth Ave, Toronto
📞 416-461-7362
🌐 www.danforthkarate.com

Message us today to reserve your FREE introductory lesson before back-to-school classes fill up.

Honouring Our Past. Embracing Our Future.

For the past 35 years, we have been celebrating our history, our roots, and the legacies that have shaped Danforth Karate Academy into what it is today. We've reflected on where we came from, the people who helped build this Dojo, and the friendships and bonds that have carried us through every chapter of our journey.

Our story is built on the shoulders of those who came before us.

We honour the legacy of Sensei Monty Guest, whose guidance helped shape the early path of Shihan Gord Davis, and Soke Cezar Borkowski, whose teachings continue to influence the spirit and values of our Dojo. Their legacy lives on through every student, every instructor, and every lesson shared on the dojo floor.

As we celebrate our past, we now look toward the future.

The friendships we have built, the bonds we share, and the respect we have for those who have walked this path with us will always remain at the heart of Danforth Karate Academy. Legacy is not something we simply remember—it is something we continue to build together.

We also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Soke John Therien. Through the World Kobudo Federation, he opened a door, but what he has given us goes far beyond an organization. He has welcomed us into his family and given us something even more meaningful: a genuine friendship and a strong bond built on trust, respect, guidance, and shared experiences.

His friendship, support, and guidance have had a lasting impact on our Dojo and on us personally. The relationship we have developed with Soke Therien is something we deeply value—not simply because of the organizations or martial arts that connect us, but because of the genuine friendship and family bond that has grown from it. We are truly grateful for the trust he has placed in us, for everything he has shared with us, and for the opportunity to walk this path alongside him.

Those relationships are part of our legacy too, and they are something we will always cherish.

None of us can predict exactly what tomorrow will bring, but we see a bright future ahead. We move forward with confidence, knowing that our greatest strength has always been our community—our students, families, instructors, mentors, and friends.

The next chapter of Danforth Karate Academy will continue to honour the legacies that brought us here while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to grow, support one another, and inspire the next generation.

To everyone who has been part of our journey over these past 35 years, thank you. Our history is something to be proud of, and our future is something to look forward to.

With respect,

Danforth Karate Academy

🎒🥋 BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHALLENGE: BE STRONG. BE KIND. BE THE CHANGE.

A new school year is a fresh opportunity to make a difference. Bullying can affect a student’s sense of safety, belonging, confidence, and well-being—but every student can play a role in creating a more respectful and inclusive school community.

This year, we’re challenging students of ALL ages to step up:

🥋 BE KIND — Treat others with respect, even when you’re different.
🗣️ SPEAK UP — If you see bullying, don’t simply ignore it. Tell a teacher, coach, parent, or another trusted adult.
🤝 INCLUDE EVERYONE — Look for the student who may be sitting alone or feeling left out.
✋ DON’T JOIN IN — Laughing, sharing, liking, or encouraging hurtful behaviour can make the situation worse.
❤️ BE A FRIEND — A simple “Are you okay?” or inviting someone to join you can make a real difference.
🛡️ USE CONFIDENCE, NOT FORCE — True strength is self-control, respect, courage, and knowing when to seek help.
⭐ LEAD BY EXAMPLE — Your actions influence the people around you.

And remember: if you are being bullied, it is NOT your fault and you don't have to handle it alone. Tell someone you trust and keep asking for help until someone listens.

💛 At Danforth Karate Academy, we believe martial arts is about much more than learning physical skills. It’s about developing confidence, discipline, respect, self-control, perseverance, and character—qualities that can help students make positive choices both inside and outside the dojo.

As we celebrate 35 YEARS of building confidence, character, and community, we challenge our students and our entire community:

BE STRONG. BE KIND. BE THE CHANGE. 🥋

Let’s make this school year a safer, kinder, and more inclusive one—together.

📍 1096 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON
🌐 www.danforthkarate.com
📞 416-461-7362

BACK TO SCHOOL STARTS WITH CONFIDENCE. 🥋

This school year, give your child more than just another activity—give them the confidence to stand tall, the focus to succeed in the classroom, and the discipline to overcome life's challenges.

For 35 years, Danforth Karate Academy has been building stronger kids, confident teens, and resilient adults through traditional karate and a community that feels like family.

🎉 35th Anniversary Specials

- 2-Week QuickStart – $80 (Karate Gi included)
- 1 Month of Lessons – $135 (Karate Gi included)
- 3-Month Special – $299 (Karate Gi included)

Karate helps students develop:

- Confidence
- Focus
- Respect
- Discipline
- Anti-bullying awareness
- Leadership skills

Whether they're stepping into kindergarten or heading back for another school year, now is the perfect time to start.

📍 1096 Danforth Ave., Toronto
📞 416-461-7362
🌐 www.danforthkarate.com

35 Years Strong. Traditional Karate. Lifelong Confidence.

As we celebrate 35 years of Danforth Karate Academy, we also celebrate a legacy that began long before our doors opened in 1991. Our dojo exists because of the people who shaped Shihan Gord Davis, and in many ways, every student who bows onto our floor today carries forward their teachings as well.

Sensei Monty Guest – Where It All Began

At just nine years old, Shihan Gord Davis took his first steps into karate under Sensei Monty Guest. What began as a student and instructor relationship became something much deeper. Throughout his life, Shihan often referred to Sensei Guest as his father.

From a young age, Gord became Sensei Guest's shadow, learning not only techniques, but the values that define traditional karate—discipline, respect, perseverance, and humility. Long before he became an instructor himself, he learned what it meant to lead by watching the man he admired most.

The love and passion for karate that would eventually shape thousands of students began there.

Leaving Sensei Guest to continue his journey at Northern Karate was one of the hardest decisions of his life. He wasn't simply leaving an instructor—he was leaving family. Yet he carried those lessons with him every step of the way.

For that foundation, we owe Sensei Monty Guest our deepest gratitude.

Soke Cezar Borkowski – The Master Craftsman Behind the Technician

If Sensei Guest sparked Shihan Davis' love for karate, Soke Cezar Borkowski helped refine the instructor he would become.

Shihan deeply admired and respected Soke, often referring to him as his brother. Under Soke's guidance, his technical ability reached another level. More importantly, he learned the importance of precision, attention to detail, and how to teach karate with purpose—not simply demonstrating techniques, but understanding how to develop students.

Soke's leadership also helped shape the environment that allowed Sensei Vern Tilley to open a Northern Karate school location in 1980, the very dojo that Shihan Davis would later take over.

Years later, leaving Northern Karate to build Danforth Karate Academy became another of the most difficult decisions of Shihan's life. It meant stepping away from his mentor, his instructors, and the man he considered his big brother in order to create something that reflected the values he had inherited.

That decision became the beginning of our story.

A Legacy That Lives Through Every Student

When people celebrate Danforth Karate Academy's 35th Anniversary, they celebrate far more than one school.

They celebrate the legacy of Sensei Monty Guest.

They celebrate the legacy of Soke Cezar Borkowski.

They celebrate the life and vision of Shihan Gord Davis.

Our dojo is where those three legacies meet.

Every bow, every kihon, every kata, every kumite lesson, and every black belt earned here carries pieces of the lessons first passed from Sensei Guest to Gord, refined under Soke Borkowski, and shared with generations of students through Danforth Karate Academy.

Over the past five years, I've done my best to continue that responsibility by following in Shihan Gord Davis' footsteps and honouring the legacy entrusted to us. We are not only preserving his vision—we are preserving the lineage that made it possible.

To every student, family, instructor, and friend who has been part of these past 35 years, thank you.

Here's to those who came before us, those who stand beside us today, and to 35 more years of carrying this legacy forward.

As we celebrate 35 years of Danforth Karate Academy, it wouldn't feel right without remembering someone who helped shape our dojo into what it is today—Shihan Gord Davis.

For those of you who never had the privilege of meeting him, Shihan Gord was a Karate-ka unlike anyone I've ever known.

I grew up on and off the dojo floor with him. When he taught a class, he commanded the room. He expected nothing less than what he believed was your very best effort, and he accepted no excuses. As an instructor, he was relentless, demanding, and at times unruly—but everything he did came from a deep desire to help you become better than you thought you could be.

He would drive countless miles to share his passion for karate, never thinking about what it cost him, only about the students he could reach.

Off the dojo floor, he was a completely different person. He was an accomplished musician, loved art, even dabbled in oil painting, and had a special passion for Dobermans. He admired the breed not for the image the media often portrayed, but for its true character—loyal, intelligent, courageous, and misunderstood.

In many ways, that was Shihan himself.

The same strength, honesty, and character he saw in those dogs were the qualities he poured into his karate and into everyone fortunate enough to train with him. His lessons went far beyond punches and kicks—they were lessons in discipline, perseverance, and becoming a better person.

Shihan Gord wasn't just an instructor—he was a huge part of our dojo's history, and his influence can still be felt every time we bow in, every time we step onto the floor, and every time we push ourselves to be better.

Over the past five years, I've done my best to follow in his footsteps and honour the legacy he left behind. To everyone who has stood by me, believed in the dojo, and continued to be part of this journey—thank you.

Here's to the next 35 years.

🥋 35 YEARS OF DISCIPLINE. TRADITION. COMMUNITY.

For 35 years, Danforth Karate Academy has been helping children, teens, and adults build more than physical skills. We develop confidence, discipline, respect, focus, fitness, and real-world self-defence skills through traditional Shotokan Karate.

Whether you're starting something completely new or returning to karate after years away, August is the perfect time to begin your journey.

🔥 AUGUST 35TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
🥋 1 Month of Karate Lessons
👘 Gi Included
💰 Only $135
⏳ Limited-time offer

📍 1096 Danforth Ave, Toronto
📞 416-461-7362
🌐 www.danforthkarate.com

Children • Teens • Adults

Don't just learn how to kick and punch. Build character, confidence and discipline that last a lifetime.

👉 Message us or visit www.danforthkarate.com to get started.

🥋 STRONG. CONFIDENT. CAPABLE.

Karate is about so much more than kicks and punches. For girls, it can be a powerful way to develop confidence, discipline, focus, physical fitness, and self-confidence while learning practical skills in a supportive environment.

Through karate training, girls learn to: 👊 Believe in themselves
💪 Build strength, coordination & fitness
🧠 Develop focus, patience & mental resilience
🛡️ Learn practical self-defence skills
🎯 Set goals and work toward them
🤝 Build respect, leadership & teamwork

Most importantly, karate teaches girls that being strong isn't just about physical strength—it's about knowing your abilities, standing up for yourself, and having the confidence to face challenges.

❤️ 35 years of building confidence, character and community.

🎉 AUGUST 35th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
1 Month of Karate + Gi Included — $135

📍 1096 Danforth Ave., Toronto
📞 416-461-7362
🌐 danforthkarate.com

🥋 WHY EVERY CHILD SHOULD LEARN KARATE

Karate is about much more than punching and kicking.

At Danforth Karate Academy, we believe traditional karate helps children develop the skills they need not only in the dojo, but throughout life.

🥋 DISCIPLINE
Children learn to listen, follow instructions, practice consistently, and understand that progress takes time.

💪 PHYSICAL FITNESS
Karate develops coordination, balance, flexibility, agility, strength, stamina, and body control.

⭐ CONFIDENCE
Every new technique and every challenge overcome teaches children, “I can do difficult things if I keep working.”

🧠 SELF-CONTROL
Martial arts skills come with responsibility. Children learn that having the ability to fight doesn't mean looking for a fight.

🙇 RESPECT
Students learn to respect their instructors, training partners, opponents, parents, and themselves.

🔄 RESILIENCE
Mistakes and setbacks are part of learning. Karate teaches children to make adjustments, keep practicing, and try again.

🛡️ RESPONSIBLE SELF-DEFENSE
Children learn awareness, movement, distance, and the importance of avoiding unnecessary confrontation and seeking help when appropriate.

🔥 PERSEVERANCE
A black belt isn't earned overnight. Karate teaches children to set goals, be patient, and keep moving forward.

📱 A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO SCREEN TIME
Karate gets children moving while giving them an opportunity to interact with others, build friendships, and become part of a positive community.

❤️ CHARACTER

Ultimately, the goal isn't to create children who know how to fight.

It's to help develop strong, confident, respectful, disciplined, and responsible young people.

Teach them to be strong—but also kind.

Teach them courage—but also self-control.

Teach them how to defend themselves—but also teach them when walking away is the better choice.

🥋 Karate isn't just about what happens inside the dojo. It's about preparing children for life outside of it.

Danforth Karate Academy
Building Strong Bodies. Focused Minds. Strong Character.