I'm interested in starting / returning after a break
Please contact Sensei Ian Willis for more information and to arrange a class visit
What should I wear?
For your first few sessions, you should wear comfortable, loose clothing which does not restrict your movements e.g. jogging pants and a t-shirt.
After that, you wear a karate Gi (the white suit) and a white belt.
We usually train in bare feet in the Dojo (training area)
All jewellery must be removed before class sessions as it can injure you or others.
Karate Gi with white belt
Is the class taught in Japanese?
Instructions are given in English, with Japanese terms gradually being introduced
alongside.
Bow (Rei)
What else do I need to know?
Membership
There is no annual club membership fee and training is paid for per session.
Licence
Everyone training is required to have an up to date, individual karate licence.
The licence provides the individual with third-party liability insurance and must be renewed annually.
NKA is a member of Shotokan Connect. This organisation sets the standards for governance, safeguarding, the overall training and syllabus for progression through the belts (gradings).
Shotokan Connect administer and issue the karate licences.
Gradings
Students are evaluated at belt gradings and these are held three times a year. Gradings assess the elements taught in class. At the end of the grading, the student is given the result and may then wear the next colour of belt.
What will I learn?
A typical session will start with a formal bow (Rei) as a sign of respect to the Sensei and ends with a brief period of quiet meditation and reflection (Mokosu)
All sessions will comprise some or all of the following elements of Karate:
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Warm up and stretching : 10 - 15 mins
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Kihon (basic movements): These are the foundations of Karate, you will be taught to block, punch, kick and improve balance, co-ordination, memory, speed, strength and flexibility.
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Kata: pre-arranged sequences. of various techniques. A new kata is introduced after each belt grading
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Kumite (Sparring): Karate is a martial art and a contact sport. It is designed to build up your ability to spar in a controlled and progressive manner, from basic five step sparring to free-style. Emphasis is placed on speed, power, control and discipline
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Bunkai (Application): This is the focus on the self-defence aspects of Karate with practical application of the techniques taught.
Student receives new belt after grading
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