Deshi-Do Martial Arts Oakleigh Karate & Fitness Centre

If you are someone who takes their martial arts or your professional career seriously, or even if you have kids who you want to have a strong role model in their life, I strongly recommend you give Sensei Perry a try.This man has forever changed my life for the better, in not only my health, confidence and technical ability in martial arts, but also in my professional life.As the old saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover.Do not let this unassuming dojo go by the wayside just by the way it looks.It might not be the biggest or flashiest looking club - but I assure you, in humble opinion I believe this is Melbourne's best kept secret.I have been training in martial arts for most of my adult life with many instructors in various different styles.Since moving to Melbourne I had been on the hunt for not just any instructor, but a Master.It was only after trialling MANY MANY dojos did I finally have the pleasure of training under Sensei Perry.Sensei Perry is a rare breed when it comes to martial arts Masters.He has been training EVERY SINGLE DAY, living and breathing martial arts ever since the 70s.What sets this man apart from other instructors is not just the number of years experience, but the quality.And it clearly shows in the way he moves and teaches.Sensei Perry is the real deal. And he teaches real Karate and Kobudo; unlike all too many of the instructors out there who also claim to be, but are in actual fact, part of the problem of teaching diluted martial arts.Together with his wife, Sensei Sofy, they also run kids karate classes with genuine care and consideration for each child's needs.If you are a parent, your kids are in great hands with Sensei Sofy and Perry.I have found many of the kids who end up training in the senior classes to be mature and disciplined well beyond their years.Come give Sensei Perry and Sensei Sofy a try. They have been the best investment of my time and money, and I cannot further reiterate how positively different they are from other martial arts schools.

Sensei Perry is a true master of Karate and Kobudo. The man embodies everything it means to be a martial arts practitioner, and it shows - the guy is frighteningly fast and powerful for someone of slender build and age. I am still blown away by his age. This alone should tell you that he is for real.If you have a choice learning from someone that actually practices it for a living and has you as a student in mind rather than the many martial arts profit geared business treating you as a customer to extract as much money as possible, the choice is simple.From my time with Sensei Perry, I have come to appreciate the stark difference in his philosophy. The man genuinely wants you to grow and to realise your potential not only as a martial artist, but also as a student, as a teacher, as a family man/woman and as a human being living in this society.If you have a choice between Sensei Perry and another instructor at another school - I would urge you to observe the classes and compare. First and foremost, does the head instructor even teach the adults class? If not, then you are learning from a disciple and you better hope they were taught well.In the martial arts world, who your teacher is and your teacher's teacher is everything. If your teacher isn't still learning from someone, either they finally earned the fabled 10th dan black belt or they simply stopped learning from someone reputable. Sensei Perry, is unfortunately, one of the few instructors who still maintains a strong connection to his Japanese teachers. Sadly, it is not uncommon to find Karate schools that boast a connection to Japan/Okinawa but is all but in name only.Having tried and tested various karate clubs, both big and small in Victoria, the difference in Sensei Perry's technical ability and teaching ability is like night and day. What I appreciate the most is that Sensei Perry's fees are so reasonable and was the second biggest selling point for me. Every other school charged more if I wanted to train more. Perry's school - flat monthly fee for unlimited training. What I am paying now per month is the base price for 2 classes a week for 45min - 60min classes at every other club within a 5km radius, and they're not even necessarily run by professional instructors (kids even), let alone the head instructor!!!Needless to say, I have never looked back since joining Sensei Perry at Deshido.

We have been coming to deshi do for about a year now since my son was 4 and it has been such a positive experience. Our son was quite hesitant and shy when he first joined and refused to join in some of the exercises but sensei Sofy was so patient and kind and made the classes fun and encouraging that after the first few classes he settled right in and now looks forward to his karate classes all the time. Sensei Perry is also such a lovely man and both him and Sensei Sofy are just very warm and welcoming. I highly recommend deshi do especially if you have young kids, my son definitely needs some time to settle in new environments and I'm so glad we found deshi do as it's so important to have someone understand the little ones behaviors and encourages the best in them.

Sense Perry is very good with maintaining discipline in this practice and its a delight to watch how each kids learn and grow each time in becoming socially responsible human beings. Highly recommended practice specially if you are local with plenty of parking and shopping nearby.

Sensei Perry Bell's passion for Karate is only equalled by his passion for teaching. He is able to create a positive atmosphere in which meaningful self development is a natural consequence. Respect and integrity is central to all that is done here. Add to this his extensive knowledge and experience and you know you're on a winner!This is the real deal! Recommended for ALL ages.

I honestly doubt that there could be a better karate and kobudo school in Melbourne, and for that matter, Australia!After spending 8 years at another karate school, I always doubted that I would be able to defend myself when trouble really arises.At Deshido you will do a lot of practical self defence. Many karate schools have a theoretical approach to karate. You will do endless amounts of basic drills kata and kumite, but never learn how to put all of that into practical use. Sensei Perry is incredibly skilled in this. He has spent 40+ years learning how to apply the theory of basic karate skills and kata and he is passionate about sharing that knowledge with his students.Sensei Perry has done many extra courses like biomechanics and Relaxation and Remedial Massage Therapy to fully understand how the body works and how to best apply that to karate. His skills as Yoga instructor and Personal trainer helps his students to develop their karate according to their individual abilities.Another point definitely worth mentioning is how affordable training at Desihdo is. For a weekly fee we currently get to do as many classes as we want and kobudo is included in the fee. You get to train with one of Australia's best instructors, in line with Okinawan standards and practices - all at a very reasonable price. For Sensei Perry karate is not a business but a passion he likes to share with the people around him.I am so thankful that I can be part of the Deshido family. It has changed not only my karate, but also my life.

I’ve done boxing for years as a fun way of keeping fit, but haven’t been pushed and challenged like I have been at Deshi- Do!The teachers are amazing- passionate, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in seeing you improve with the right technique.I’ve added these classes to my regular fitness routine now, which I go to with a group of friends. So much fun!Would highly recommend anyone trying this place out! :)

As a woman with a small and slender frame I had always been fearful of what could happen on the streets when walking alone at night.It was only until I started training under Sensei Perry did I have confidence in my ability to defend myself.When training at different martial arts schools, I got taught sets of moves that were one size fits all" by self proclaimed expert instructors. Often times when practicing these moves on someone much bigger

I’d almost forgotten how much I loved karate until I started at Deshi-do. Sensei Perry is highly experienced and knowledgeable. As he teaches traditional karate jutsu you learn the full range of karate techniques including blocks, kicks, throws, grappling as well as kata. It is a supportive dojo for women and girls to learn self defence. And Sensei Perry and wife Sempai Sofy run excellent classes for kids to burn off energy and gain confidence.

I have been going to Sensei Perry for 14 months learning authentic complete Okinawan Shito-Ryo. He is honestly overqualified, patient, kind and cares about his students. He teaches not just karate and kobudo (Japanese weapons), but how to be resilient and a fitter better human. My kids adore him and Sensei Sofi. Deshido is one of Melbourne's best kept secrets! If you are wondering if you should try it, go ahead and see for yourself.