FAQ Beginners | F.A.Q. Beginners |
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What Will It Cost? (Back to Top)
Annual Licence Juniors £20 Adults £20
What should I wear? (Back to Top)
When you first start a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms/shorts will suffice.
If you decide to continue training then you can purchase a Gi (karate suit).
Prices start from around £20 and they can be bought from most sports shops or through the club.
Training is always done bare footed.
Any jewellery, watches etc must be removed for safety reasons.
Will I be expected to keep up with the class? (Back to Top)
Beginners often find it daunting to join a class where everyone appears to know what to do apart from them.
It can take three or four sessions before the class format and basic routines become familiar to a newcomer.
Students should not be put off by this introductory period. Every other member of the class has of course been through a similar process themselves when they started.
How Do I Measure My Progress? (Back to Top)
E.S.A. students are entitled to take grading examinations on average every three months.
These gradings are conducted by senior examiners and there is a grading syllabus for juniors and seniors.
Coloured belts are used to denote grades. There are 9 grades, known as Kyu, below black belt, with 9th Kyu, orange belt, being the lowest grade.
How Long Will It Take Me To Achieve My Black Belt? (Back to Top)
At first, grasping the principles and getting the coordination right is a little tricky.
Once these have been mastered it is possible to achieve 1st Dan (Black Belt) standard in 3 to 4 years, with regular and correct training.
A 5th Dan will have at least 20 years of experience and dedication.
Why do I need a license? (Back to Top)
Individual membership will only be available to bona-fide members of clubs, in affiliation to the ESA.
Applications for an individual membership must be made by applying for an individual Licence.
The Licence serves as a record of achievements and member to member insurance in the unlikely event of injury:
How old do I have to be? (Back to Top)
Karate for Children: The opportunities for self Development through Karate study are significant but the benefits of involving your child in a karate program are far greater.
The self image, confidence, discipline, and control your child develops today will determine the degree of success and happiness he or she will experience as an adult.
Traditional Karate helps to develop these qualities in children, parents and teachers continually report improvement in the behavior of children who train regularly at our clubs, this is because of the emphasis placed on good manners and self discipline.
our unique children’s program is designed to instill:
Effort concentration and coordination
Character and self-esteem
Sincerity and respect
Self-control and etiquette
Karate for adults (Back to Top) Am I too old?
This question is often asked by the more mature students who are amazed by the level of our older members. No one is too old to start Karate! Traditional Karate is an exciting martial art, a blend of mental and spiritual elements the study of traditional Karate produces an array of life changing benefits not found in any other activity or hobby. It can be practiced at any age.
Can Anyone Practice Karate? (Back to Top)
Anyone who is in reasonable health can train at Karate. Yes, men, women and children, including people with physical disabilities can all do karate. The true spirit of karate is more about effort than ability. The only requirement is that you can maintain concentration for the duration of the lesson. For this reason younger children's lessons are normally limited to one hour. The type of people that currently train at the club range from accountants, engineers, computer professionals, police officers, medical practitioners, students and people from many other walks of life. Karate students will improve their: self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-esteem, as well as their fitness.
What is Karate? (Back to Top)
Shotokan Karate The style of karate practiced is Traditional Shotokan, one of the most widely practiced styles of karate in the world.
Training in a Traditional form has many benefits. The shy and withdrawn learn confidence, the aggressive learn control. Discipline, confidence, fitness, stamina, co-ordination, flexibility and humility are all areas in which you will see improvement with training in Karate Shotokan Karate is a traditional martial art emphasising balance and muscle control, it advocates advancement based on effective techniques. We believe it is important to develop each technique to its maximum level. We adhere to the same high standards originally set by the founder of Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi. Character, Sincerity, Effort, Etiquette and Self Control are our guiding principles. Although Shotokan Karate techniques are based on century old knowledge, it is our application that sets us apart. English Shotokan Academy (ESA) instructors realise that each individual possesses different natural abilities, and that size and strength vary from person to person. Once you have acquired a strong foundation in the basics, our program is tailored to match your physical capabilities, in order to maximise your self-defence skills. Should the need ever arise; you will possess a firm understanding of the mental and physical qualities required to defend yourself.
What Benefits Are There in Practicing Karate? (Back to Top)
The hard physical training required to reach a high-level of skill in Karate promote overall good health, fitness, and well-being. The concentration, commitment and dedication required, help build a strong, confident, and determined character. There is a 'Dojo Kun', or training code, which not only ensures a disciplined training environment, but serves as a tool for molding behavior, so that a true Karateka will fight with words and only employ physical violence as a last resort, with obvious benefits to society What you will learn first thing you will learn is that Karate starts with courtesy and finishes with courtesy, this is one of the most important maxims. Whether you wish to do Karate for self defence, fitness, or just because you like the art you will naturally develop good mental and physical discipline. Your training will consist of three major components, Kihon, Kata and Kumite. Kihon means basics, this covers kicks, strikes, sweeps and stances. Kata are set sequences of movements designed to develop balance, strength, concentration, co-ordination, martial spirit and improved mental attitude. Kumite is actual combat. Different formalised routines are explained and practised which develop your defence, attacks, counter attacks and timing Starting ages from seven upwards are unique children’s programme is designed to instill:
Character and self esteem Sincerity and respect Self-control Etiquette
When should I start? (Back to Top)
Generally there is no specific start date, as training is geared to suit the individual's needs.
Karate is an inexpensive pursuit compared to many other sports and hobbies.
The only equipment needed is a license, a karate suit and a belt
Is it safe for me and my children? (Back to Top)
All E.S.A. Instructors are qualified to a national standard. Just because a person wears a black belt, does not necessarily mean that they are a competent instructor.
Statistically Karate is perhaps one of the safest activities compared to many sports. |