Classes are taught by Peter Giffen, a seventh-degree black belt in Ryusei karate, with more than 40 years of experience as a practitioner and teacher. He travelled several times to Japan to train with Tsuyoshi Chitose (1898 to 1984), the 10th dan founder of Chito-Ryu, and his son-in-law Ken Sakamoto, the founder and current head of Ryusei Karate. Peter is the chief instructor of Ryusei Karate-Do Canada.

As a karate competitor, Peter was the former national heavyweight champion, captain of the Canadian karate team, and a member of the national team participating in the international Chito-Ryu Soke Cup tournament. To teach classes at Barrie Ryusei Karate, Peter is helped by dedicated black belt volunteer instructors, as well as senior kyu belt (colour belt) students.

He supplements his karate training with a black belt ranking in Ryukyu Kobudo (Okinawan weaponry), and a brand of tai chi featuring ascetic internal development practices.