FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Karate?

Karate is a martial art, designed for unarmed combat, originally from Okinawa, which is now part of Japan. Karate is a system of self defence, using the hands, feet, and every other part of the body, to protect yourself from an attacker.



What are the benefits of learning Karate?

Karate can provide a lot of benefits. Karate can promote fitness, Karate can improve concentration and the ability to learn new information. Karate can teach self defence, self discipline, respect and self control. Above all, Karate is fun!



Who can learn Karate? Am I too old?

Whether you’re 6 or 60, male or female, tall or short – anyone can learn Karate. If you have any specific concerns you’d like to discuss with us, please Contact Us!



What style of Karate do you teach?

We teach Shotokan Karate, a style founded by Sensei Gichin Funakoshi, in Okinawa, before he made the art popular in Japan and then ultimately the rest of the world.



Does it hurt? Will I get hit?

Karate is not non-contact. But with that said, we value the importance of being able to train safely, in a friendly environment. We get to know our training partners, and we moderate our approach depending on who we’re working with, and what we’re doing – you’ll never leave one of our lessons feeling like you’ve been beaten up. Whether you’re 6 or 60 the level of intensity and contact is tailored to the individual. Karate begins and ends with respect, and this is definitely the case with our attitude towards our training partners. If you have any concerns, please Contact Us!



What is the main goal of your Karate?

For us, Karate is primarily a system of self defence. While a lot of clubs will tell you they teach Karate for competition, Karate for sport and Karate for self defence, these are very different skillsets. Our focus is providing training in practical, realistic Karate for self defence, although we cover a range of topics and applications. To find out more, Contact Us!



How long does it take to get a black belt?

This is a really common question, and there is truly no set answer. It varies from person to person based on many things, including the amount of time a week you can dedicate to Karate, as well as how quickly you pick up new concepts. Karate is a really personal journey, and no two people will have an identical experience on the path to black belt and beyond. That being said, we believe that everyone is capable of achieving a black belt, if they put in the time and effort! While some clubs will give out belts on a set schedule, for example every 3 months, we believe absolutely that belts must only be given out based on ability level and dedication, not how much you pay, or how often you attend.



Why another Karate club?

We strongly believe that learning Karate for self defence is a very different skill to learning Karate for sport. You only have to look at the difference in the environment for competition sparring, and self defence on a dark street to realise that the skill sets aren’t alike. Our mission is to provide pragmatic, realistic Karate, to enable people to protect themselves in this day and age, while keeping within the traditional core values of Karate. To us, the most important thing is that you progress in your ability to protect yourself, not to rush you towards earning a black belt by taking money off you every 3 months for a grading. We care more about your ability than your payment. To find out more, Contact Us!



How do I join?

You can join by calling, emailing, sending us a message on Facebook or Whatsapp, or filling in the contact form on this website. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss options for training sessions, and explain how membership works! We look forward to seeing you soon!



How does Karate training work with COVID restrictions?

We are constantly reviewing our training practices, and government guidance to ensure that the health and safety of our students and instructors is maintained. All training is in line with instructions from the government, and advice from our governing bodies.