Classes

Our classes typically include seven stages. The following is an example of a one-hour class and not all of these elements will be covered in each lesson.

• 1. Opening Ceremony

  on the philosophical and character development aspects of Shotokan Karate. It is extermely important to begin your training each class with a clear mind and centered mind.

• 2. Warm Ups

  warm up will ultimately lead to injuries; therefore we put a special emphasis on warm-up.

• 3. Kihon (Fundamentals)

  During this part of the training different techniques are practiced many times. The instructor highlights the important points about each technique, illustrates the proper execution of them as well as common mistakes and improper executions. The main emphasis during this part of the work-out is that the students will understand how to perform various techniques and why to perform them in a certain way.

• 4. Kata (Forms)

  Kata refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made to be practiced alone. These specialized combinations of punches, kicks, and blocks have to be executed according to their proper rhythm, speed, and timing. These exercises simulate real-life fights; therefore they have to be executed with a fighting spirit.

• 5. Kumite (Sparring)

  reserved for advanced students (brown belt and above) beginners and intermediate students spar in a very controlled manner. During these controlled sparring exercises the attackers announce the target area and the techniques they will use, so the defender can execute proper defense.

• 6. Warm Downs

  Warm downs are similar to the Warm Ups done at the beginning of class. Warm Downs allow for the body to slowly relax from its active state.

• 7. Closing Ceremony

  At the end of the class we perform a ceremony similar to the opening, and we add the recitation of our dojo kun, in both Japanese and English.