About
Global Martial Arts Academy offers training in Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Kali, Wado Kai Karate, and Southern Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu. Students also take part in activities such as self-defense, kata, sparring, wrestling, 5-Animal Kung Fu, and lion dance performances. The Academy also runs Women’s Self Defence Workshops, a Women’s Self-Protection Program, and Women’s Self-Protection seminars.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday during daytime and evening hours; facilities open 20 minutes before the first class, with private lessons available during operating hours
• Price: GMA Drop-In fee for BJJ visitors (with previous experience) $20.00 (cash) per person, per class
Global Martial Arts Academy is a family owned business that blends experience and knowledge in martial arts, self-defense, and fitness, and offers a diverse and internationally recognized range of martial arts and fitness programs that include Wado-Kai Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Kali. The school states that it thrives on respect, courtesy, and discipline, and notes that students who join group classes or train privately are considered part of the GMA family. Instructors at GMA can create personalized training programs or seminars, and the Academy offers reality-based training refined from real-life situations including multi-attacker fights and weapon attacks.
The history of Global Martial Arts Academy is rooted with its senior instructor, Sensei Ron Yeates, who opened his first school, Southam Wado-Ryu Karate, in 1972. The Academy, under its current name, opened its doors in 2005 and was originally located in Binbrook, Ontario, and Global moved to its current Hamilton escarpment location in 2009.
The leadership team includes Sensei Daniel Yeates (President, Co-owner, and Chief Instructor) and Sensei Ron Yeates (Senior Instructor, Founder, and Co-owner). Other listed leaders and instructors include Prof. P.J. O'Sullivan (Owner Pura BJJ and Head Instructor), Prof. Ricardo Ammendolia (1st Degree Black Belt in BJJ and Instructor at Pura BJJ), Prof. Joe Niro (1st Degree Black Belt Instructor at Pura BJJ), Sensei Justin Doherty (6th Degree Black Belt and Head Instructor of the Adult Wado Kai Karate Program), Sifu John Koeshall (Associate Instructor for JKD, Kali, BJJ, and Kempo Karate), and JKD Apprentices Ed Mule and Al Guerra (Level 1). Additional staff credentials include Sensei Jessica, who has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, an Advanced Diploma in Respiratory Therapy, works as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, and holds a 4th Degree Black Belt; Prof. Ricardo Ammendolia and Prof. Joe Niro, who are both 1st Degree Black Belts; Sensei Cory, a 4th Degree Black Belt; Sensei Steve, Sensei Jordan, Sensei Ligaya, and Sensei Nelson, who are 3rd Degree Black Belts; Sensei Nelson also earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in the Canadian Combat Arts (CCA) in February 2023. Sensei Samantha and Sensei Caitlyn are 2nd Degree Black Belts, with Sensei Caitlyn also holding a yellow sash in 5-Animal Kung Fu; Sensei Meghan and James have earned their 1st Degree Black Belts. Sifu Samantha holds a 1st degree black sash, has over 14 years of experience in Southern Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu, and earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in the CCA program in February 2023. Prof. P.J. O'Sullivan is listed as Head Instructor at Pura BJJ, and Sifu John Koeshall is Founder and Senior Instructor of the “Thru The Fire” Training Organization.
Global Martial Arts Academy is a founding member of the “Thru The Fire” Training Organization, and John Koeshall continues to conduct seminars at GMA. The Academy has previously hosted Women’s Self Defence Workshops, police foundations students, and other private groups. One testimonial from Sifu John Koeshall, Founder and Senior Instructor of “Thru The Fire” Training Organization in San Clemente, California, recommends GMA and its instructors Ron and Daniel Yeates, and notes Ron’s years of teaching experience in martial arts and defensive tactics combined with 31 years in policing, as well as Daniel’s ability to transfer mission critical skill sets and set a high standard for students.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Saturday during daytime and evening hours; facilities open 20 minutes before the first class, with private lessons available during operating hours
• Price: GMA Drop-In fee for BJJ visitors (with previous experience) $20.00 (cash) per person, per class
Global Martial Arts Academy is a family owned business that blends experience and knowledge in martial arts, self-defense, and fitness, and offers a diverse and internationally recognized range of martial arts and fitness programs that include Wado-Kai Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Kali. The school states that it thrives on respect, courtesy, and discipline, and notes that students who join group classes or train privately are considered part of the GMA family. Instructors at GMA can create personalized training programs or seminars, and the Academy offers reality-based training refined from real-life situations including multi-attacker fights and weapon attacks.
The history of Global Martial Arts Academy is rooted with its senior instructor, Sensei Ron Yeates, who opened his first school, Southam Wado-Ryu Karate, in 1972. The Academy, under its current name, opened its doors in 2005 and was originally located in Binbrook, Ontario, and Global moved to its current Hamilton escarpment location in 2009.
The leadership team includes Sensei Daniel Yeates (President, Co-owner, and Chief Instructor) and Sensei Ron Yeates (Senior Instructor, Founder, and Co-owner). Other listed leaders and instructors include Prof. P.J. O'Sullivan (Owner Pura BJJ and Head Instructor), Prof. Ricardo Ammendolia (1st Degree Black Belt in BJJ and Instructor at Pura BJJ), Prof. Joe Niro (1st Degree Black Belt Instructor at Pura BJJ), Sensei Justin Doherty (6th Degree Black Belt and Head Instructor of the Adult Wado Kai Karate Program), Sifu John Koeshall (Associate Instructor for JKD, Kali, BJJ, and Kempo Karate), and JKD Apprentices Ed Mule and Al Guerra (Level 1). Additional staff credentials include Sensei Jessica, who has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, an Advanced Diploma in Respiratory Therapy, works as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, and holds a 4th Degree Black Belt; Prof. Ricardo Ammendolia and Prof. Joe Niro, who are both 1st Degree Black Belts; Sensei Cory, a 4th Degree Black Belt; Sensei Steve, Sensei Jordan, Sensei Ligaya, and Sensei Nelson, who are 3rd Degree Black Belts; Sensei Nelson also earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in the Canadian Combat Arts (CCA) in February 2023. Sensei Samantha and Sensei Caitlyn are 2nd Degree Black Belts, with Sensei Caitlyn also holding a yellow sash in 5-Animal Kung Fu; Sensei Meghan and James have earned their 1st Degree Black Belts. Sifu Samantha holds a 1st degree black sash, has over 14 years of experience in Southern Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu, and earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in the CCA program in February 2023. Prof. P.J. O'Sullivan is listed as Head Instructor at Pura BJJ, and Sifu John Koeshall is Founder and Senior Instructor of the “Thru The Fire” Training Organization.
Global Martial Arts Academy is a founding member of the “Thru The Fire” Training Organization, and John Koeshall continues to conduct seminars at GMA. The Academy has previously hosted Women’s Self Defence Workshops, police foundations students, and other private groups. One testimonial from Sifu John Koeshall, Founder and Senior Instructor of “Thru The Fire” Training Organization in San Clemente, California, recommends GMA and its instructors Ron and Daniel Yeates, and notes Ron’s years of teaching experience in martial arts and defensive tactics combined with 31 years in policing, as well as Daniel’s ability to transfer mission critical skill sets and set a high standard for students.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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