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About Our School

Desa School of Karate opened as a full time traditional Okinawan karate school in September 1996.  After seven years in the basement of the St. Albert Rugby Club, the school (dojo) was relocated to its present location, designed and built by Sensei Manuel deSa (with much help from his students).

 

The main dojo, with 9000 square ft of space now includes a 3000 square ft matted workout area on the main floor and a 2000 square ft classroom on the second floor.  There are spacious change rooms with shower facilities for both men and women, welcoming office space and viewing benches and bleachers for guests.  Visitors are always welcome, whether it is to view a class they might be interested in taking or to just watch a friend or family member.

 

Having a facility open year round and designed specifically for martial arts training provides many benefits that other programs cannot offer.  With staff dedicated full time to teaching and monitoring the quality of instruction and the progress of each student, it is much easier to adjust the schedule to the changing needs of the student and maintain the high standard the school is known for worldwide.

 

The dojo also offers community programs in Sturgeon County (where Sensei Desa first started teaching in 1994).  There is an after school program at Camilla School in Riviere Qui Barre, and evening programs in Cardiff.

 

In addition, the school also offers classes in traditional Okinawan weapons, known as “kobudo”.  We offer special classes for 4-5 year old children (Kickstart), Ladies Self-defense workshops, and Kid Power Bully Defense, all done throughout the year. In addition special courses and workshops are set up that can be tailored to meet specific needs of different groups or organizations including schools from throughout the area who visit as part of their curriculum.

Sensei Desa Biography

sensei biography

Sensei Manuel A. deSa began studying Karate while attending the University of Alberta from which he graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts Special Degree. In 1990, he met Master Neil Dunnigan and was impressed by not only the style of karate, but the philosophy taught along with it, the method and focus of instruction, and Master Dunnigan’s direct ties to some of the top Okinawan Karate Masters. With a lifelong passion for the art, some natural talent, and a lot of hard work, Sensei Desa now runs a successful full time dojo. In 2008, he asked and was accepted as a student of Grand Master Kiyohide Shinjo of Okinawa, Japan. He is also a student of Sensei Masakazu Kinjo in traditional Okinawan weapons (kobudo). Sensei Desa brings to each class not only an excellent knowledge of Uechi-Ryu karate, gained from regular practice and trips to workshops and competitions around the world, but also many years of experience in working with youth as a child care counsellor.

In 2022 he was promoted to 8th degree Black Belt (Kiyoshi, Hachidan) by Grand Master Shinjo.

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"My goal for every student is to help them work towards their Black Belt, not only in Martial Arts, but in life.
By working towards this goal, we create an environment in which each student develops confidence through accomplishing high, but realistic and attainable goals both in and out of our school."

 

Manuel A. deSa

Our Instructors

our instructors
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Sensei Manuel deSa

OWNER

Kiyoshi, Hachidan, 8th degree Black Belt
Shihan - Master Instructor

4th Degree Black Belt Kobudo

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Sensei Janet Vranas

Nanadan - 7th Degree Black Belt
Shihan - Master Instructor 
Head Instructor Cardiff/Camilla

Sensei Desa has developed a leadership training program in which students brown belt and above volunteer their time to assist in our various classes, thereby developing their leadership skills. Many have gone on to become regular instructors in the dojo or have taken these skills into their community to assist in other ways. Currently the following students are part of the Desa School of Karate leadership program:

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

Alexandra Kalutich

Jacob Schmidt

Jack Johnston

Mateo Kalutich
Matthew Blake

Kristen Maclock

Ian Turnbull

Lathan Wilcox

Alexey Kluzner

LEADER II

Ethan Keller
Alexander Hebert

Angelo Kalutich

Nolan Blake

Melania Harpe

Aleksia Afonso

Samantha Fratar

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LEADER I

William Monk
Logan Joss

Lilly Sackett  

Sara Lapierre

Hudson Snow

Elizabeth Monk

Maya Sorenson

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School Photo

Promotions

In the Community

In November 2024 we donated $5000 to local charities thanks to the hard work of our students and all the businesses who donated prizes for our event.​

The students of Desa School of Karate have made donations to various charities every year including 2020 and 2021.
In December 2022 presentations were made totaling $7000 to various charities.     

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Desa School of Karate continues to make annual donations to local charities. $5000 was donated in both 2018 and 2019 to organizations such as Jumpstart, Food Banks, Jessica Martel Foundation, ALS, SAIF, St. Albert Bereavement, Victim Services and more!

A total of $4000 was given to local charities in December 2015. Recipients included S.A.I.F. , Victim Services, St. Albert and Morinville Food Banks, St. Albert Bereavement Fellowship, and Plugged In.

The students of Desa School of Karate fundraised a total of $1700 that was donated to the following organizations: Sturgeon and St. Albert Victim Services, Morinville and St. Albert Food Banks, Canadian Tire Jumpstart program and Special Olympics.

Desa School of Karate students present a cheque for $2500 in support of local charities.

Desa School of Karate students present a cheque for $2500 in support of the Special Olympics.

Photo Gallery

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KATA/KUMITE DOJO TOURNAMENT

PAST EVENTS

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SPIRIT OF THE NORTH
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KENYUKAI KOSHUKAI
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PAST EVENTS
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