Training Day

This morning (like most Saturdays for the last 5 years) I got up a 5:30 am to train a group of people preparing for their black belt testing at DeSantos Martial Arts Studio here in Toronto. Today we decided to move our training session down to the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant (the Waterworks).

This is truly one of the most spectacular venues in the city to visit, and even better to train at. There are challenging hill runs, stairs and plenty of open flat terrain to work sprints, footwork drills, body weight exercises and partner drills. The hill on the far eastern side provides a great mental challenge as well for the group that is training with me. Here's a bit of what we do:


Training has become an important part of my life -- both in terms of my own health and evolution as a martial artist, and in terms of the sense of fulfillment I get from training others and watching them improve.

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend taking the time to visit the Waterworks. It is an incredible example of Art Deco Architecture and the facade is currently being restored. If you can, visit at dawn and watch the sunrise over the eastern part of Lake Ontario. It's also kind of cool on a foggy night, which is why it's been used in several films as the 'evil lord's castle'.