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Martial arts centre closes

Central Alberta Martial Arts & Wellness, a not-for-profit centre, closed its doors at the end of the year.

Central Alberta Martial Arts & Wellness, a not-for-profit centre, closed its doors at the end of the year.

Sensei Christine Braun said internal sponsorship drives such as the Alberta Bushido Open Tournament and sponsorships and donations from government and corporate venues have declined in the last few years.

“During this time frame and up until the present date, the centre has explored and exhausted every possible option to ensure the viability of the dojo, and its students, and its grant vision.”

However these efforts have not proved successful, she noted.

Braun said the centre, while in operation, provided a valuable and far reaching service, largely due to participation by students, community members and supporters. She listed community cleanups, emotional and financial support to children as far away as Nepal, more than $30,000 in scholarships for children in financial need and more than $15,000 in donations to World Vision as some of the centre’s noteworthy accomplishments.

Braun said students have learned and exhibited the true spirit of martial arts through kindness, awareness and compassion.

“This is one of your biggest gifts to the world,” she said. “Always remember this.”

The mission of the Central Alberta Martial Arts & Wellness (aka Centre for Peaceful Living) was to empower children, youth and adults through the tradition of the martial arts. It also provided wellness and life skills programs such as life coaching, personal development workshops, meditation, Thai yoga massage, community service and international humanitarian projects.