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Welcome to the ACKUWelcome to ACKU's Homepage
The All Canadian Karate Union (ACKU) offers safe, traditional introductory karate for individuals and families, in clubs in local communities (ACKU Clubs).

ACKU offers the Intermediate and Advanced students a Badge and Instructor's program and a Free Style (partnerwork) program.

Family Oriented Traditional Karate
ACKU karate is a sport, an art form and a form of self-defence.
Our style is Shotokan.
Nunchaku, Sai, Jo, Bo, Tonfa, Kama and Bokken practice is available.
Our mandate includes family unity and several of our clubs are taught by family teams.
Our instructors participate in the ACKU Instructor's Program (NCICP) National Canadian Instructor's Certification Program, offered only through the ACKU.
ACKU karate uses strong, deep stances. It is a traditional style with equal focus on hand and leg work and provides excellent overall conditioning. The ACKU system is easy for everyone to learn, including children ages six and up.

Family KarateACKU's Philosophy    
  • We teach karate in a positive, calm and fun atmosphere.  
  • We wish to develop unity in our Canadian families as we learn karate together.  
  • We hope to develop harmony of mind, body and spirit, using traditional karate.
  • We like to support Canadians with our Canadian made ACKU uniforms, crests and belts.  
  • We believe martial arts are not exclusive to one group, country, religion, culture or nationality.

    About ACKU's founder, Jim Bray      
  • Jim is a karate professional, who has studied karate for forty three years.
  • Jim is proud to be a fourth generation Calgarian, who earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Calgary. He is assisted by his wife Julie, who holds an Elementary Education degree from the University of Calgary.
  • Sensei Jim Bray trained in the first karate club in Calgary in the early 1960's and he teaches karate full time.

    ACKU families  
  • Our ACKU families train together, in a respectful manner, all ages and abilities, without hype or gimmicks.
  • Our students train on their own (it is not required that you be in a family) or students train together in their family group.

    What do we do in an ACKU karate class?
  • We learn blocking, kicking, stances and forms ("kata").
  • We develop power through increased strength and speed.
  • We enjoy partnerwork which is controlled and by agreement.

    ACKU club training
  • Members may train at numerous clubs in Calgary plus Strathmore, Okotoks and Edmonton.
  • Our British Columbia clubs include Shearwater (Central Coast Karate Association), Celista (Shuswap), Tofino and Ucluelet (Pacific Rim Karate Association).
  • Members may train in any club at any time. Join one club, and you've joined them all!
  • ACKU students are people who like to have fun, want to get in shape and learn some self-defense.
  • At the ACKU, we are proud to be Canadian and feel fortunate that we live in the great country of Canada.
  • We also want our students to consider future generations of Canadians and our environmental legacy.