Sensei richard mark

Mr. Richard Mark is the chief martial arts Instructor of the Shaolin-Tzu Martial Arts Academy. He is the Western Canada Representative of the Dai-Nippon Butoku-kai, International Division. Sensei Mark is the highest ranked official in the system of Shorinji Ryu in Canada. He holds the Shogoo title (a Martial Art Title of Cardinal Honour of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai) of “Hanshi” (Exemplary Illustrious Warrior, Master of the Samurai Way), an international ranking of Hachidan (8th degree black belt) in Shorinji Ryu Karate-do. Shogoo Martial Art Title of "Kyoshi" in Okinawa Kobudo, and Shichidan (7th degree blackbelt) in Okinawan Kobudo (traditional weaponry). Budo Dojo certification bestowed by DNBK and DNBKID of "Shihan" (Master instructor of the dojo in the cognate Budo discipline) and possesses extensive knowledge of over 90 classical Shuri-te, Naha-te and Kobudo katas of original forms.

Mr. Mark has been studying the facets of the martial arts for almost five decades. He has developed, conducted, and delivered seminars, and specialized self-defence training courses for government programs, the Royal Roads Military College, and personal groups. He has travel to Japan, Okinawa, China, United States and Canada in his study of budo and classical martial arts.

Sempai Eduards Miska

Mr. Eduards Miska is the Assistant Instructor and Sempai of the Shaolin-Tzu Martial Arts Academy. He holds the Shogoo title of “Kyoshi” (Polished Teacher), the rank of Rokudan (6th degree black belt) in Shorinji Ryu Karatedo. Also, he holds the Shihan Dai title and the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) in Okinawa Kobudo (traditional weaponry).

Mr. Miska started his martial arts training while attending the Royal Military College of Canada in 1981 and has continued to train since that time. Mr. Miska also has community coaching experience through the Gordon Head Soccer Association and was a fitness leader at Recreation Oak Bay when not training martial arts.

Sensei Nolen

Mr. Nolen Lah is an Assistant Instructor of the Shaolin-Tzu Martial Arts Academy. He holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do, and the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Ryukyu Kobujutsu (Okinawan weaponry). 

Mr. Lah started his martial arts training as a child at the Shaolin-Tzu Martial Arts Academy, paused his training while in high school, returned while attending the University of Victoria, and has continued ever since. Mr. Lah has also crosstrained playing rugby at UVic and is currently playing soccer and futsal. 

Sensei Jon Michiel

Mr. Jon Michiel is an Assistant Instructors of the Shaolin-Tzu Martial Arts Academy. Both hold the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do, and the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Ryukyu Kobujutsu (Okinawan weaponry).

Mr. Michiel began his training in classical martial arts in 1991, training in Shorin-ji-Ryu Karate at the Victoria Butoku Kai. With a renewed focus in 2015, he reconnecting with Sensei Mark at the Shaolin Tzu Martial Arts Academy. Jon said “my training allows me to deepen my understanding, refine my skills and training, and gain experience in many Martial disciplines.”