Draft:Gilles Lavigne
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Let me know if you have any questions, be either replying to this post on your Talk Page, or leaving me a message on my Talk Page. qcne (talk) 18:28, 19 October 2025 (UTC)
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| Gilles Lavigne | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1958 (age 66–67) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Style | Shotokan Karate, Chitō-ryū, Chito-Kan, Reiki, Tai Chi |
| Teachers | Pierre Myre, Fernand Cléroux, Hidetaka Nishiyama, V. Cruz |
| Rank | 9th Dan Shotokan |
Gilles Lavigne, known by the honorific title Hanshi, is a Canadian martial arts master, founder and director of the Canadian Shotokan Association in Quebec, now known as A.A.M.C. He is recognized for his outstanding contributions to karate in Canada, his community involvement, and his expertise in complementary practices such as Reiki and meditation.
Biography
[edit]Early Martial Arts Training (1973–1982)
[edit]Lavigne began his martial arts journey in 1973 under Soké Pierre Myre, initially training in Chito-Ryu and earning his shodan rank from Fernand Cléroux Hanshi. When Myre transitioned to Chito-Kan, Lavigne was awarded a 6th dan.
In 1982, he practiced Tai Chi at the Taoist Tai Chi Center in Ottawa, where he also taught for several years.
Return to Shotokan and Expansion (1983–present)
[edit]In 1983, Lavigne returned to the Shotokan style under the International Shotokan Karate Association (I.S.K.A.), which he now represents in Canada. He oversees more than 20 affiliated clubs and associations.
He holds a 9th dan Shotokan, awarded by Hanshi V. Cruz, and recognized by Master Hidetaka Nishiyama and O’Sensei Masami Tsuruoka. He continues advanced training in Japan under Pemba Tamang.
Teachers and seminars Lavigne trained with
[edit]- Sensei Pierre Myre
- Kyoshi Adolfo Ennever
- Hanshi V. Cruz
- O’Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama
He also attended seminars with Ronald Duncan, Dan Inosanto, George Dillman, R.E. Llewelyn, Robert Stevenson, Fernand Cléroux, and O’Sensei Tsuruoka.
Achievements and Honors
[edit]- 1977: US Open Kumite Champion
- 1999: Inducted into the World Karate Federation Hall of Fame (Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania)
- 2000: Inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame (New York)
- 2018: Inducted by the Canadian Karate Association (Ottawa)
- 2025: Inducted into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame (Montreal)
He has won 20 Grand Champion titles and earned over 200 awards in individual and team competitions.
Publications and technical innovations
[edit]In 2015, at the request of Hanshi V. Cruz, Lavigne published The Endless Search for Absolute Kime. The book explores the energetic and technical principles of karate, with a focus on kime.
Also at Cruz’s request, Lavigne created the Kumi Tekki kata, an original sequence that merges the three traditional Tekki katas (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan) into a unified form. Available on YouTube, this kata addresses a key energetic concern shared by many masters: the crossing of the legs in the original Tekki forms disrupts energy flow. Lavigne’s Kumi Tekki resolves this while preserving the original structure.
Community engagement
[edit]In 1994, Lavigne received an award from the city of Gatineau for his teaching and social involvement. He supported the creation of the Indigenous martial art “The Eagle Way” and offered private lessons to the Battered Women’s Association, reflecting his commitment to social causes.
Meditation and complementary practices
[edit]- 1989: Began studying Reiki, becoming a leading instructor in his region
- Circa 2010: Studied Tibetan meditation with monks in Ottawa and trained at the Vipassana Dhamma Suttama Center These disciplines are now central to his martial arts philosophy and teaching.
References
[edit]- Lavigne, Gilles. *The Endless Search for Absolute Kime*. Amazon Publishing, 2015.
- Canadian Shotokan Association. “History and Leadership.” A.A.M.C. Official Website.
- City of Gatineau. “Prix de l’implication sociale – Gilles Lavigne.” Municipal Archives, 1994.
- Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame. “Inductees 2025.” Official Press Release.
- YouTube. “Kumi Tekki Kata by Gilles Lavigne.” Uploaded by AAMC Karate, 2015.