We kick butt

About Okotoks Karate

Okotoks Karate is an established, reputable dojo in the heart of Okotoks, AB

Okotoks Karate has been welcoming students to its dojo since 2011. Hundreds of kids and adults from Okotoks and beyond have trained here.

In 2022, Okotoks Karate received bronze in Best of the Foothills for martial arts education.

THE DOJO

The Okotoks Karate dojo is a beautiful, 2,100-sqft space with a large matted training area, located in central Okotoks. Bright and airy with 12-ft ceilings, the dojo is perfect for kobudo (weapons) classes.

Features include floor-mounted makiwara, weapons rack, nafudakake, an 18-ft mirror, a viewing area for parents and family, and a bright lobby filled with art, merchandise and our library of over 150 books on martial arts and culture. The dojo is wheelchair accessible.

STYLE: GOJU-RYU

Over the years, Sensei Steve Vinden has studied under Okinawan teachers of Goju-Ryu, a traditional style. The word Go means “hard” and Ju means “soft.” Thus, Goju-Ryu consists of strong, powerful stances and striking techniques, balanced with softer circular blocks and movement.

GOAL: MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

We want students to develop mental discipline, strength, confidence, respect, fitness, flexibility, kindness and form bonds and memories to last a lifetime. On top of this, we want to witness a “Yes! We can do it!” attitude.

Owner Steve Vinden

BIOGRAPHY

Originally born in Germany, Steve Vinden moved to Canada at 3-years-old. He has lived across Canada and England, and has studied many different martial arts. At the age of 18, Steve opened his first dojo on base while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces. Over the years, he’s travelled around the world to study and train in karate, specifically the Okinawan style GoJu-Ryu.

“I have been privileged to train with and be taught by some of the very best people I know, including Bill Bishop, Fumio Sugasawa and Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei from my Wado-Ryu days and Kim Marshall, Akihiro, Akihito and Meitatsu Yagi Sensei from my Goju-Ryu training,” says Steve. “Both Sensei Bill and Sensei Kim made positive impacts on my life and are part of the reason I opened my own dojo.”

He has over 40 years of martial arts training and experience as well as 25 years teaching. He is a proud father of two boys and also works as an RMT.

Training history

1978-80 Shotokan Karate Vancouver
1980-82 Judo Chilliwack, BC
1982-86 Wado-Ryu Horsham, England
1986 Joined Canadian Military
1987 Received Shodan (1st level blackbelt)
1988 Opened Shu Ha Ri at CFB Petawawa
1991 Retired from Canadian Military
1995 Sir Sanford Fleming College Massage Therapy
2003 Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate Winnipeg
2009 Received Shodan Goju-Ryu
2011 Opened Okotoks Karate
2014 Received Sandan (3rd level blackbelt)
2020 Moved Okotoks Karate to Stockton Point

Be hard on yourself and soft on others.

– Confucius

At Okotoks Karate, we emphasize the importance of personal development and self-defense of our martial art, rather than the often ego-driven aspects of sport styles.