Resources for Learning Shotokan Karate
Learning karate is both rewarding and challenging. To progress through the different KYU grades (coloured belts) and DAN grades (black belts) you will be encouraged to attempt gradings when you have shown a consistently high enough standard of each skill required by our demanding and high quality syllabus.
There are NINE Kyu gradings ahead of each beginner which all need to be passed before you can attempt a DAN grading (Black Belt) There are TEN DAN gradings.
As we are a very TRADITIONAL Karate Dojo Our belt colours and order are the same as the ORIGINAL colours and order which were brought to Great Britain by Enoeda Sensei in 1966 when he first arrived from Japan to share the many great benefits that karate can provide:
White, Orange, Red, Yellow, Green, Purple, Purple and White, Brown, Brown and White, Brown and White again.
The MINIMUM timescale to pass all of your KYU gradings is around 2.5 to 3 years but learning TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE at KOKORO KARATE DOJO is a journey of self improvement and of obtaining the correct skills to the highest of standards and definitely not about the time it takes to arrive at that particular destination. This journey takes significant levels of commitment, dedication and hard work from both you and your sensei (teacher).
The KOKORO KARATE DOJO TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN GRADING Syllabus which will be worked on in your lessons will guide you through your own personalised journey and help you to improve on a step by step basis and to pass your gradings. This includes KIHON = ((basics) stances, punches, kicks and blocks)), KATA = (a sequence of basic techniques and preparation to learn how to defend yourself) KUMITE = (sparring with a partner with absolutely no contact whatsoever). All of these skills are a preparation of your MIND, BODY and SPIRIT and will make you an effective and powerful karate practitioner with great self defence skills.
A continuous journey of trying to improve each of your existing techniques whilst embracing the opportunity to learn and perfect the new ones.
Download and keep a set of diagrams of all the KATA to help you with your karate training.
