Yes .. (as of the time of this writing)

We  have separate classes for children (or for women), We can also let parents train at the same time as there child so they can train together. We will take younger students when they are 7 years old (with parent or guardian approval), as by then they have developed the self discipline, physical size, and their bones and bodies have matured enough to train.

 Just contact us via e-mail ,  if you have any queries

training is divided into two aspects: basics (kihon), sparring (kumite) . Kihon entails the practice of the basics of stance, blocking, punching, kicking, striking, moving and stance. Kumite involves prearranged attacks and defenses at a lower level progressing to free sparring (free exchange of techniques with a partner) at higher levels.

Classes range in length from an hour, and 2 hours. Classes are held two times per week. We recommend attending two per week (especially in the beginning) if possible, as much of the learning is by rote and repetition in the beginning. But we also recognize the importance of work and family, so set up your schedule as you can.

There is a philosophical aspect of karate-do (the way of karate) training that is not spoken about much in our dojo (school, literally the place the way is taught or pursued), but rather evinces itself in the way the instructors and students interact with eachother. This is a subtle thing, and highly individual. E.g., karate training can be utilized and viewed as a way to "polish one's soul". In many dojos, this is actually given more formal recognition through the regular recitation of dojo kun (precepts) and through a more elaborate meditation ceremony at the beginning and end of class.

There is no pressure to be fit, as you work at your own pace or as hard or easy as you want. We start the class with a good warm up and stretch so you will be ready for the training that follows. Karate will provide you with the skills necessary such as improved flexibility, coordination, balance, muscle strength and muscle tone, not to mention fat loss. You will notice an improvement with each class.

I often hear concerns such as "I have no coordination, I am not flexible enough, I am not fit enough", but remember, you train to get fit. You don't need to get fit to train.

 

You wont develop a "Karate muscle". Karate training exercises almost every muscle of your body. Will you be sore after your first ever Karate training session? Quite likely! But this is completely normal for any exercise activity that you're not used to. It would equally apply to Salsa Dancing or to your first ever round of Golf!

Students are often worried joining in with other students who have already been training for some time. However, holding specific beginners only classes is not the best way to teach someone Karate. You may end up with the blind teaching the blind, where no-one knows what is going on.

By placing beginners in with the more advanced students, they are able to copy correctly what the other students as well as the instructor is doing. And as we practice partner work, you will be paired with a more advanced student who can correctly show you what to do. In this way we are able to teach you Karate at a much faster rate.

You don't need to worry about whether you'll "get beaten up by little 6 yr old Karate kids" - presently we only take students from 16 years and up, as we are holding adults only classes, to ensure a mature, relaxed and professional atmosphere that makes our Karate classes fun and effective.

To start with for your first FREE class wear something comfortable such as a T-shirt and shorts or track suit pants. We don't wear shoes so you also don't need expensive gym shoes.

Later on if you decide to continue we can tall you the best place to puchase a gi that will last you for many years to come. The Gi is the traditional uniform of Karate, and its main purpose lies in its functionality.

A Gi has the advantage that it is very robust and comfortable at the same time. Typically a Gi sports quite short sleeves and pants, so that you don't get caught with your finger or trip over yourself. It allows you great freedom of motion, and for a beginner it also has a psychological effect, as it makes you feel more "real" when you wear the Gi, and you also feel as if you fit in better with all the other Gi-wearing students.

 I have been invovled in Karate on and off  for 25 years and in that time have taught beginners from 7 years to 62 years, I find many people have done a little of some Martial Arts in earlier years and are quite surprised how quickly it all comes back to them.

With advanced age, everyone may find one or another technique harder or impossible to perform. Let this not deter you. Karate is a martial art, and as such it is self-defense system, not a display of superhuman ability and athleticity. There is no shame in not being able to pull off a triple spinning flip kick. Chances are that in a real situation a simple front kick would have been the better option anyway.

All the benefits of Karate in terms of self defense skills and improved health still apply, regardless at which age you start. With increased maturity you will also be in a better situation to judge what exactly YOU want to gain from Karate training, and you will be able to focus on that in our classes - this way you'll gain maximum enjoyment and benefit from Karate training, regardless of your age.

The injury risk in Karate is lower than in most other sports. All contact is controlled and the most you would expect is the occasional lump or bruise. Our classes are meant to teach Karate - thus Gung-Ho bone breakers and street thugs are not welcome, and you wont find them in our classes.

Broken bones and noses as well as knee and joint injuries common with most popular sports are in fact very uncommon in Traditional Shukokai Karate.

It is the responsibility of the instructor to ensure a safe environment for his students. I am proud to state that in my years that I have been instructor to countless numbers of students I have had no serious injuries to myself or my students

You will be better equipped to defend yourself from day one! At the end of your first class you will know how to perform several punches and kicks correctly as well as how to block and evade your attacker.

At each following class you will build on this, getting better every class you attend. Your confidence will also grow with your new found skills which will also benefit in keeping you out of trouble in the first place.

Some people say (including the infamous, very street-wise Homer Simpson!) that "you learn Karate so you'll never use it", and for most of us, this will hopefully apply in the sense of hopefully never having to defend ourselves or our loved ones in a life-threatening situation. However, with Karate training, you will have a much better chance of doing so starting with your first training session.