Frequently Asked Questions 
What is Komayaka Karate Club?
What is a traditional martial art?
Licence - Why do I need one?
What are the coloured belts and the times required to attend to attain them?
Is Karate suitable for Children?
Will I have to fight at the club?
Do I have to compete in competitions?
Komayaka (Meaning Friendly) Karate Club is a martial arts club that practices the traditional martial art of Shukokai Karate in a relaxed and friendly manner.
Shukokai Karate originated in Okinawa and means "Way for All"; it is one of the most effective and successful styles in the world. Sensei (teacher) Shigeru Kimura 10th Dan introduced it to Britain in 1969. Over the last 40 years it has become one of the top three styles taught in Britain. Many National and International Champions have been trained in Shukokai Clubs. Shukokai Karate encompasses SPORT, FITTNESS & SELF-DEFENCE in one easy to learn and fun training programme.
It is the total training of mind and body involving the use of hands and feet equally to enable you to defend yourself at Long, Middle and Short range. Shukokai Karate teaches blocks, strikes, kicks, punches, locks, sweeps, takedowns and restraint techniques along with armed, single and multiple attackers defence for complete protection of yourself, family and friends.
What is a traditional martial art?
A traditional Martial Art does not concentrate primarily on the sport aspect of training.
Traditional Martial Arts have a lineage going back to the Grand Masters or founders of the style. Instructors in traditional martial arts teach their art as it was taught from the beginning, including all of the various methods of blocking, kicking and striking.
This variety and the broad and comprehensive approach to fighting makes traditional martial arts a more practical method of self defence.
No one martial art is better than another, a lot depends on the instructor of the club and personal preference of the student. Judo focuses of throws, ju jitsu on self defence, tae-kwon-do on kicking; karate incorporates a variety of kicks, punches, throws and self defence. If you are unsure then go to watch clubs of other styles to make an informed decision.
It is most important to start correctly with a qualified and registered instructor.
The Chief instructor Garry Lewis is a 6th Dan Black Belt with 37 years experience in Karate, he is a Level 3 Coach, Dan Grade Examiner, Association Chief Referee, First Aid qualified and DBS Enhanced Checked. Garry is also an ex Shukokai National Kumite Champion and has represented the Ukmaf/Ukasko National Team at both Kumite and Kata.
Assistant instructor Mike Wilde is a 5th Dan Black Belt with more than 40 years experience in martial arts. Mike is a level 3 Coach, Association Regional Judge, First Aid qualified and DBS Enhanced Checked .
Assistant instructor Duwain Chase is a 4th Dan Black Belt with 30 years of experience in Karate, he is a level 2 Coach, Association Regional Referee and CRB Enhanced Checked.
The club is run on a none profit basis, any surplus funds gained (after paying for hall hire, insurance, association membership etc.) goes to club equipment, annual awards and bringing top class instructors to the club for special courses at no extra cost to the students.
What will it cost me?Initially when you start you will have to pay £20 per year for Licence and Membership (This is for membership of the United Kingdom All Styles Karate Organisation and includes member to member liability insurance) .
Lessons are £5 per session.
Grading fees (after a minimum of 3 months) start at £10 and gradually increase through the ranks. This cost covers the Grading lesson itself, Association Certification, Obi (Belt) and excess goes towards the presentation lesson (Held 1 week after the grading) where we finish ½ hour early and have pop and cake to celebrate.
All other equipment like Gi (Karate Suit), Sparring Mitts – pads etc can be bought from anywhere you like (Internet being the cheapest) as long as they conform to WKF specifications.
To practice any Martial Arts you must have a licence issued by the Governing Body, which gives you insurance cover and is also your record of gradings passed and courses attended. The instructors insurance requires you to have a personal licence prior to commencing training. The licences supplied are for the United Kingdom All Styles Karate Organisation.
What are the coloured belts and the times required to attend to attain them?
Originally Karate did not have coloured belts for gradings, but when it was introduced to the west the Judo belt system was implemented. We hold a grading every 3 months. Our structure is as follows:
White Belt (10th Kyu) – a student will acquire this when they buy a Gi, No examination is required.
Red Belt (9th Kyu) – min 1 month – This is not required by the club, but is available should a student start in between the gradings.
Yellow Belt (8th Kyu) – min 3 months.
Orange Belt (7th Kyu) – min 3 months.
Green Belt (6th Kyu) – min 3 months.
Blue Belt (5th Kyu) – min 3 months.
Purple Belt (4th Kyu) – min 6.
Brown Belt (3rd Kyu) – min 6 months – one black stripe.
Brown Belt (2nd Kyu) – min 6 months – two black stripes.
Brown Belt (1st Kyu) – min 6 months – 3 black stripes.
Black Belt (1st Dan) – min 1 Year – 1 red or gold stripe (Shodan).
Black Belt (2nd Dan) – min 2 Years - 2 red or gold stripes (Nidan).
Black Belt (3rd Dan) – min 3 Years - 3 red or gold stripes (Sandan).
And so on.
I already have a belt in karate, but it's from another style/ another association/ I haven't trained in years. Will I have to start again at white belt?
For your first few lessons, while we assess your level, you may wear the belt you attained, but your training will be appropriate to your current ability. When the time comes to grade, you may well be able to grade at your previous level.
You don't, the majority of people who start karate are usually unfit, and the instructor knows this and will teach you accordingly.
We start at 6.00 p.m. and finish at 8.00 p.m.
6.00 p.m.
Etiquette
From 6.00 p.m. to 6.20 p.m.
Warm ups - Joint Manipulation, Cardiovascular Exercise and Light Stretching.
From 6.20 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Lesson split in two between beginners and Seniors
Beginners – Kihon - Basic training (from Stances, Blocks, Strikes, etiquette, Terminology etc.)
Seniors - Kihon (Basic Training), Kata (Forms) or Kumite (Fighting)
From 7.00 p.m. to 7.10 p.m.
Break – Time for Drink, Toilets and rest.
From 7.10p.m. to 7.20 p.m.
Basic exercises – Sit Ups , Press Ups and Leg Raises (Quantity depends on Grade – to a maximum of 50 reps each)
From 7.20 to 7.50 p.m.
All class together
Anything from Kihon (Basic Training), Kata (Forms) – Performing or bunkai, Kumite (Fighting) – Free sparring or one steps, Self Defence Techniques.
From 7.50 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Warm Down (If required)
8.00 p.m.
Etiquette
NO! You will not get bullied, picked on or pushed around by anyone, you will train with people at your own level not with black belts and you will find every one at the club really friendly and helpful.
Is Karate suitable for Children?
Yes! Karate is one of the best activities a child can practice, with the degree of discipline, respect and etiquette taught in the class the child will learn to accept more responsibilities, become more aware and CONFIDENT. Add to this FITNESS and PRACTICAL SELF-DEFENCE.
Is Karate suitable for Women?
YES! With the need for women to be able to look after themselves in our ever increasingly violent society, Karate is ideal because you learn to use the strong parts of you body against the week parts of your attackers, along with TECHNIQUES, KNOWLEDGE and SPEED to defeat an opponent rather than strength. Karate also exercises and tones up the entire body helping you look and feel great!
Is Karate suitable for Men?
Yes! Karate is one of the best ways of getting fit, increasing confidence, meeting and making new friends, learning a fast powerful and incredibly effective form of self defence and one of the more INTERESTING and FUN ways of toning up the entire body.
Karate training covers the WARM UP, STRETCHING, STAMINA, AEROBIC and CARDIO VASCULAR exercise for a healthier fitter lifestyle, and for the one's who want it, the competitive side Karate has to offer, and other opportunities.
The SPEED, POWER and EFFECTIVENESS of Shukokai Karate will appeal to most men who want an active and exciting sport.
Will I have to fight at the club?
Kumite (Fighting) is an integral part of learning to utilise your Karate skills, from green belt onwards you will be graded on Kumite. Don’t let this worry you, as all Kumite practiced at the club is to World Karate Federation rules of Semi Contact. For juniors this involves no contact (Where scoring is for techniques up to 10cm away from your opponent) and for seniors touch contact only (Where scoring is for techniques up to 5cm away from your opponent). The skills learned from this are for timing and control.
Do I have to compete in competitions?
We do not force anyone to enter competitions, but should you wish to we do have the experience necessary to guide you fully. Any competitions endorsed by the club will be held to World Karate Federation rules (Semi contact).
You will learn effective SELF DEFENCE from the first lesson starting with simple easy to remember techniques and exercise, you will be surprised how quickly you learn the basics and how fast you are moving through your grades.
We hold gradings every 3 months and so it's up to you how much you do and how far you go, you will be able to train with other beginners and be allowed to develop at you own rate and without pressure. We have a very structured syllabus, which is designed to take you in easy steps from beginner to black belt and beyond in a friendly, helpful, and safe atmosphere. You will be treated with
Respect, courtesy and patience at all times. Everyone in the club was once a beginner (even the Instructor) so they all know how nerve racking it is when you start training, because of this everyone tries to help make it as easy and enjoyable as possible to learn this fascinating art.
How often per week?
You would be expected to train at least once a week, but to take gradings at the set minimum intervals you would need to train twice a week.
What do I wear?
To start with, anything loose and comfortable, a track suite or jogging suite is ideal. When you are ready for you first grading (At least 3 months) a GI (Karate Suite) can be bought from anywhere as long as it is a traditional white Karate Gi.
To turn up on a regular basis with an open mind. To respect yourself and others, and to follow instruction from your Sensei (Teacher). Full etiquette and rules will be given on commencement of training.
