Picton Martial Arts & Fitness is a proud member of the

Yudansha Kobujitsu Karate-Doh Federation

Jason Bilodeau, Shihan

Began his martial arts training in 1982 with an introduction to boxing and kickboxing courtesy of the Kingston Boxing Club.

In 1984 he joined Fraser's Tae Kwon do where he would train for 4 1/2 years.

In 1990, on the invitation of a friend he tried a class at and ultimately joined the S. Fraser Karate School, it was while a student at the Fraser Karate School that he would first meet Yamanaka Sensei.

In 1993 he moved to Toronto to study at York University - an institution chosen based largely on the opportunity it would provide to train with Yamanaka Sensei.

From 1997 - 2004 he was the Chief Instructor of Toronto Jundokan Karate, with several hundred students training at more than a dozen locations (The Granite Club, The Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club, Armadale Community Centre, The Harbourfront Community Centre, John Wanless PS, Brownridge PS, Queensville PS to name a few).

In 2004 he moved his family to Picton, ON and began teaching traditional martial arts in Prince Edward County.

Kristie Bilodeau, Sensei

Began her martial arts training in 1989 at the Napanee Karate Club.  While a student of this long running dojo she met and trained with many well know and talented instructors from around the world, in particular Yamanaka Sensei.

In 1999 she moved to Toronto and began training directly with Yamanaka Sensei.

From 1999 - 2004 she was the Assistant Instructor of Toronto Jundokan Karate with several hundred students under her direct supervision.

Michael LeBaron, Tai Chi & Chi Gong

Early in the 90’s Mike began to pursue an interest in oriental systems of exercise and studied both Taiji and the energy work that accompanies it.

His teacher is Sam Masich who teaches internationally and is highly regarded in Canada and the U.S. Mike was also fortunate to study with Grandmaster Shouyu Liang, Sam’s main teacher and for many years the coach of Canada’s National Wushu Team. Wushu is the proper term for Chinese martial arts, not ’kung fu’, the more common term.

Mike has been teaching for many years, through community colleges and at clubs in B.C in the 90's and since then in Brockville and Kingston through St. Lawrence College and at Premier Fitness in Kingston. From 2002 to 2006, Mike lived and worked in China. He studied Tai Chi fundamentals there in an effort to go deeper into his own practice.

Having lived and worked in Picton for more than a year now as a Physiotherapist Assistant, he is hoping to provide instruction in these practices that are now being seriously studied as
components of a healthy lifestyle for the maturing person.

There are several research avenues currently investigating the idea that Tai Chi and Chigong, as well as other practices including Yoga and meditation, stimulate blood flow in areas of the brain (the frontal lobes) where it is greatly reduced in those affected by Alzheimer's. Both are a wonderful way to treat balance and mobility issues that can rob us of our independence and freedom as we grow older.