Discovery Martial Arts
About
Discovery Martial Arts offers a comprehensive range of martial arts disciplines including MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, kickboxing, judo, and karate. The gym is led by a team of highly credentialed instructors, such as founder John Poliquin with a 10th Degree Black Belt in Budo Taijutsu, school owners Mark White and Zach Labbay, and several other black belt instructors. This provides students with a blend of classical martial arts forms and modern, functional self-defense techniques, creating a well-rounded training environment.
reviewsWhat Members Say
Members consistently praise the exceptional instructors who are described as everything you would want in martial arts teachers, specifically mentioning Mark and Zach as a perfect team. Reviewers highlight the welcoming, friendly community where advanced students help newcomers without making fun of them. Many note that training here has made them better martial artists and better people, with particular appreciation for the blend of traditional forms and modern applications. Several members mention traveling significant distances to attend workshops and plan to continue participating in future events.
rate_reviewGoogle Reviews (5)
Lily Harper
2 years ago
Discovery Martial Arts is a great school to learn a traditional and functional martial arts style. You get a good blend of classical forms and concepts and a more modern contemporary take on the same classical topics. Mark and Zach are a perfect mix of the two and work very well together. The community in the dojo is great. Very friendly and welcoming.
Ice Young
7 months ago
The people who run Discovery Martial Arts are everything you would want and more in a martial arts instructor. I can't recommend them highly enough. I spent a lot of quality time here and plan on spending a lot of quality time in the future. And not only did this school and their instructors make me a better martial artist the time with them truly helped make me be a better person.
Caroline Freeman
2 years ago
My son has been a student of To Shin Do since he was 5yrs old in Nebraska. He has traveled to many of the other clubs for more training and to Maine in 2023. He gains something more with every event or training opportunity and the new people he meets. I thank the club in Maine for having him in 2023.
Attorney Robinson
2 years ago
This is the best place and overall experience I have ever had in martial arts. A very effective self-defense art, taught by people who genuinely care about you and want to get to know you as a person, not just as a martial artist. Advanced students help out the less advanced students and do so without making fun of them. I have never been happier studying martial arts. I wish that everyone could have an experience like this.
Bianca Heinrich
2 years ago
I live in Boston and attended a workshop with Discovery Martial Arts in October 2023 that was simply superb! It was very well organized and the teachers demonstrated excellent technique and fascinating martial arts principles. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, too. I will definitely continue taking part in their events and seminars!
paymentsMembership
$129/mo
Contact
34 Rainmaker Dr, Portland, ME 04103, USA
scheduleHours
Monday: 5:15 – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 5:15 – 7:30 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
groupCoaches & Instructors
Ian Pratt
Nidan Instructor
Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)
Began training with Hanshi Poliquin in 2003. Former training in karate and kendo. Highly focused on fundamentals of proper movement.
John Poliquin
Founder & Chief Instructor
10th Degree Black Belt in Budo Taijutsu, 8th Degree Black Belt in To-Shin Do, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo
Personal student of Stephen K. Hayes and Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi since early 1980s. Founder and director of Discovery Martial Arts Association.
Mark White
School Owner, Shihan
5th Degree Black Belt
Started training in 2001 under Hanshi Poliquin. Assumed ownership of the dojo in 2014. Focuses on the relationship between art and life.
Zach Labbay
School Co-Owner
Third Degree Black Belt
Began training in 2005, earned black belt in 2009. Has a degree in Health and Fitness. Focuses on implementing martial arts principles in life.
Heidi MacDonald
Nidan Instructor
Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)
Started training in 2001. Has extensive training experience in multiple schools. Helps students develop strategies against larger opponents.
Aaron Cheever
Shodan Instructor
Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)
The strong but silent type.