About Sensei Kristina Brandy
& Shin Gan Goju Ryu Karate

Sensei Kristina Brandy writes:

My name is Kristina Brandy; I was born in St. Catharines Ontario Canada in October 1968. I moved to Abbotsford, British Columbia spring-summer 1992 and moved back to St. Catharines, Ontario in the fall of 1992. I have been living and currently reside in Welland, Ontario since 2002.

The style of Goju Ryu Karate is a Martial Art, which has benefits to everyone who trains and practices regularly.

As a woman and a mother some of the benefits I have personally noticed are:

  • Stress Reduction
  • Youthful Appearance
  • Maintenance of muscle tone/strength
  • Maintenance of Strong bones
  • Better posture
  • More Focus
  • Improved Self Respect
  • Improved Self Esteem
  • Improved Self Confidence
  • Development of an “I can do it” attitude.
  • Weight loss
  • Endurance
  • Motivation
  • More Energy
  • Spiritually Stronger, I do not let my mind rule my body with negative thoughts. I have become spiritually stronger with every challenge I face.
  • The mind/spirit war has developed my character in a positive way; “I will not quit”.
  • I find internal balance, in the sense of becoming emotionally, physically and spiritually centered when practicing Karate.
  • I feelthat I am healing my body from the inside out. There is no other feeling like it in this world.
  • Development of control over my own body, physical co-ordination, balance, timing of movement, physical strength and overall good health.

Karate strengthens a person’s weakness and enhances people’s strengths.

To me, I find that Karate is a lifetime commitment to learning. With every bit of knowledge comes the responsibility of using it to grow further in the understanding of the very basic movements of Karate. As well to pass the knowledge on to others so they may grow and preserve the Art. I have found happiness in sharing this knowledge.

I am currently a black belt (Nidan) and enjoy my training now more than ever under the ever watchful eyes of my current instructor, Doug Meagher Shihan.

I have had the opportunity to train with and learn from some of the top Martial Artists in the world. To mention a few, Isao Yabunaka, Shihan, Rusty McMains, Shihan, Hiromi Hasegawa, Katsuichi Ishihara, Kancho, Shihan, Masataka Muramatsu Hanshi, Akira Shiomi, Hanshi, Yoshihiro Hisanaga, Hanshi, Leo Lipinski, Kyoshi, Vassie Naidoo, Renshi, Desmond Tuck, Ramon Veras, Sensei, Tom Muncy, and several others.

I always put my heart, mind and spirit into what I believe in and for the first time in my life (there has been many first time experiences in the Martial Arts), through consistent training, harmony happened with my mind, body and spirit. Holistic health was happening to me. I find that I have become self-empowered and have developed a positive attitude towards my own abilities.

Karate strengthens a person's weakness and enhances people's strengths. Karate is an experience that lasts a lifetime and is a journey of discovery and re-discovery of the energy flows of the human body. I am a survivor in life, Karate is giving me the skills to continue to survive and become stronger holistically as a person. Karate has made me closer to my family and given me an understanding of how frail human life really is.

“The Martial Arts never leaves you.... you leave the Martial Arts.
It is always in you and yours to come back to anytime you wish.”

Author - Kristina Brandy

My Martial Arts History:
  • Started Training Martial Arts 1999.
  • 2000 – Was introduced to Goju Ryu Karate by Shihan Doug Meagher.
  • 2001 – Started training in Goju Ryu Karate with Shihan Doug Meagher.
  • 2001 – Promoted to Ikkyu (Brown Belt) Tae Kwon Do.
  • 2003 - Is voted to the Board of Directors for the City of Welland Sports Promotion Committee.
  • 2004 – Nominated for Female Sportsman of 2004, for the City of Welland.
  • 2004 - Promoted to Shodan Goju Ryu Karate (Shodan) by Ramon Veras Sensei. (November 6)
  • 2005 - Wins a spot on the W.K.A. (World Karate Association) Ontario Provincial Team. (Traditional Kata)
  • 2005 - Competed in the Can Am Challenge all women’s kata team against the U.S.and took Gold for Canada.
  • 2005 – Competed in the Can Am Challenge open division and took 2nd place in traditional kata.
  • 2005 - Wins a spot on the W.K.A. (World Karate Association) Canadian National Team. (Traditional Kata)
  • 2005 - Placed 3rd in Kumite at Karate Ontario tournament.
  • 2005 – Successfully passes testing and is promoted to Nidan Goju Ryu Karate by Shihan Isao Yabunaka 7th Dan Kyoshi Seiwa Kai Canada (October 8 )
  • 2005 - Sensei Brandy becomes member of All Japan Karate Federation JKF/JKF Goju Kai
  • 2005 - Competed in the World Championships (W.K.A.) placed 5th in the world. (Nov 26) (Traditional Kata) 52 Countries attend WKA World Championships with 3,000 members competing. All three members of Northwest Karate leave in top 10 world rating
  • 2005 - Opened Shin Gan Goju Ryu Karate School September 9, 2005.
  • 2006 - Accepted as a Member Dojo of Karate Ontario.
  • 2007 – Successfully passes testing and is promoted to Sandan Goju Ryu Karate by Shihan Isao Yabunaka 7th Dan Kyoshi Seiwa Kai Canada (May 17), as well as granded the title of Shidoin.

And there's still more to come........

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