ENGLISH

Okinawan karate and kobudo in Kuopio

Come and try it

Turn up at any session and train once for free. Wear a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms or shorts. Training is barefoot, so no indoor shoes, and you don't need a gi to start. You don't need to be fit, strong or flexible either — every technique is practised at your own level, and all contact is controlled.

Starting from zero

Beginners' courses run as an intensive three weeks at the start of each term, after which you continue in the regular sessions. If you find us mid-term, get in touch anyway — we can usually take you in.

Coming back after a break

Many of our members trained before, in Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Shitoryu, judo or something else, sometimes decades ago. You'll recognise the concepts quickly and find plenty that works differently. Tell us your background when you get in touch and we'll put you in the right group.

Children, ages 7–12

Sundays, in their own group, girls and boys together. It's real karate, taught through games and short exercises that suit the age. Alongside technique children practise the things that make training work: waiting for a turn, listening, and looking after a partner. Every child progresses at their own pace and no experience is needed. Parents are welcome to stay and watch.

Kobudo

We also train Matayoshi kobudo, the Okinawan weapons tradition — bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku and kama, many of them originally farming tools. It's open to members aged 15 and up, and most people add it after starting karate. Ask us for the training times.

Where the training comes from

Our karate follows the Seibukan Shorin-Ryu line founded by Zenryo Shimabukuro Sensei; our kobudo follows the Matayoshi tradition. The club is led by Marko Haataja, 5th dan in both karate and kobudo, and sessions are taught by instructors with decades of experience behind them. Every one of our teachers has trained in Okinawa, and members travel there regularly. We also host seminars with visiting Okinawan and international instructors, so what we teach stays connected to its source.

Training times

• Tuesday 17.45–18.45 — karate, Särkiniemi school, Lohkaretie 15

• Thursday 18.00–19.00 — karate, Savon ammattiopisto, Hehkukatu 1

• Sunday 17.00–17.45 — children's karate, Särkiniemi school

• Sunday 18.00–19.15 — karate, Särkiniemi school

Prices

Beginners' course, karate 120 €, including training to the end of the year.. Students 80 € Children's karate school 100 € per term, siblings 85 €, belt test and belt included.

Get in touch

budo.akatemia@gmail.com or 044 785 3278 (Marko Haataja, after 16.00). Write in English or Finnish, tell us roughly what you're after, and we'll tell you which session to come to.