Reviews of Traditional Excellence Karate

Steve Nash has many and varied things that can be tacked on after his name; Sensei, mentor, friend, warrior, counselor, leader, soldier, teacher, et cetera ad nauseam. You can find a more thorough list on his website: http://www. traditionalexcellence. com/

To find out what kind of person he is, come and train with him. To find out what kind of person I think he is, keep reading. He not only is an excellent instructor, he brings out excellence in those around him. He is a good person, and good people gravitate towards him.

He holds an 8th Dan in Shotokan Karate and the title of Hanshi under Kancho Takemasa Okuyama, head of the International Karate Association of Canada. Steve’s expertise in the martial arts is well transmitted to his students, yet his main focus is on their development of character and intent. As it is proudly displayed on his wall:

“Character and Intent must come before technique. Lack of development/commitment to the former cannot be overcome with the latter. ”

He will tailor training to the individual. Whether you’re athletic or otherwise, male or female, big or small, he will help you help yourself in exceeding your perceived limitations and achieving your goals.

Come and train with us, we’ll be happy to have you.

I have had the privilege of studying under Sensei Steve Nash for many years now. I consider him a very strong mentor in my life. Training with Steve is not about technique as it is about character and intent. He challenges his students to be reflective and understand why we are doing what we are doing. His incredible wealth of experience allows him to engage and challenge us through many levels.

Steve has an incredible ability to read people and provide the instruction, motivation and environment that suits his students. I know that my focus in training has changed and my commitment has varied, but Steve adapts and allows me to find what I'm looking for. He also draws from a great pool of friends and contacts and brings people together to work very collaboratively.

Steve has offered so much to his community reaching out to children, youth and adults to support everyone. Steve clearly takes pride and pleasure from engaging people and helping us learn and grow.

Steve is an internationally renowned instructor and yet we are fortunate to have him in a small training space to ourselves in small groups.

This is an extremely safe and supportive environment - everyone is there to work together and support each other. I always feel better after each training session with Steve learning a bit more about myself and of life.

Granted there are lots of other training facilities and dojos in town, but in my opinion none have the background and character that 8th Dan Master Instructor Steve Nash provides. Traditional Excellence Karate is focused on Shotokan Karate, but through the dynamic and personalized instructions brought forth by Steve the students are enabled beyond the katas often affecting positive personal growth outside the dojo.

As I've gotten older I have come to value more and more those individuals of good character and intent. My personal interest is not simply in getting better at any one specific skill, or skill set, but rather in developing myself to be better as a whole. In learning from, and training with, individuals like Steve and his other students (many of whom are Shotokan masters in their own right) I have allowed myself to grow as a person and not simply as a Martial Artist.

The culture of the Traditional Excellence dojo is one of mutual respect and inclusiveness. That being said each member is vetted by the Sensei to ensure that their character and intent is in line with the dojo (read: no one seeking to use martial arts for the wrong reasons allowed). This speaks volumes to the care that Steve puts forth in the training, and also demonstrates that his priorities are clearly focused on the people and not the how much profit he can make through his respected position within the Martial Arts community or impressive technical skills and ability as many other instructors do.

I could go on and on about the benefits of attending a unique training site and instructor as is found in Steve Nash and his Karate dojo, but the truth is that anyone thinking about getting themselves to that next level (be that in their Karate, Career, or Personal Life) should visit and interact with the good people at Traditional Excellence in person.

It's worth it!