Mr. George Manoli, our program director and coordinator, is one of Montreal’s leading authorities in personal safety education. He specializes in no-nonsense hands-on simulation training, Karate, submission grappling and is an expert lecturer on assault and date rape prevention, anti-bullying and street-proofing children.
Mr. Manoli has a Bachelor of education degree in Physical Education from McGill University with over 35 years of teaching experience. He has a National Coaching Certification level 2 and holds a Black Belt 6th Dan in Kenkokan Karatedo, 7th Dan in Koshiki Karatedo and is presently working towards his Black belt in Judo. He has successfully represented Canada internationally at Koshiki safety contact Karate championships in Japan, Venezuela and Australia. Presently, he runs his own children’s, teen and adult Karate and submission grappling club with over 75 participants out of the city of Beaconsfield/Baie d’Urfé recreation centres.
He has written 3 personal safety manuals and is the founder and trainer of four dynamic simulation oriented programs which emphasize Adrenal Stress Training:
1. “The Manoli hands-on assault prevention method” for women and teens. Rated by the CAFSU as one of Montreal’s best and most realistic self-defence courses. Since 1982, Mr. Manoli’s no-nonsense method was used or featured in :
The Montreal Police Service: (a) Simulation oriented self-defence course for women police officer. (b) Gun retention program for street cops.
Air Canada’s: “Cabin defence, security training and passenger restraint” module and video. Taught to over 6300 Air Canada crew members.
The ‘Just for you’ getaway exclusively for women, hosted yearly by the FM radio station Q92. Thousands of women have seen Mr. Manoli in action.
The National Film Board documentary “The Ring within” and “The Volcano” by Dan Bigras, CBC’s ‘Montreal Living,’ Radio Canada and TVA’s ‘Tête @ Kat’ and ‘Salut, Bonjour,’ as well as ‘Avis de recherche’ on the Illico cable network.
Dozens of television and radio shows. It is presently taught at Villa Maria high school, Marie Clarac, Collège Letendre and Laval, Venture high as well as various other community and corporate locations.
2. “Don’t Bully Me!” a scenario based anti-bullying course and parent/child workshop on various ways of defusing or avoiding verbal and physical confrontations.
3. “Street Smart Kids” an interactive street-proofing course and parent/child workshop which emphasizes awareness, avoidance, screaming and getting help. Proudly recommended by The Missing Children’s Network Canada for it teaches and empowers elementary school children with personal safety skills.
4. “Assertiveness training for rape and assault survivors” greatly helps survivors confront the reality of the traumatic event they have experienced. Done in conjunction with their therapist, these one-to-one sessions empower participants and help them regain control over their lives, overcoming their sense of helplessness and fear.