Why Take Karate?  Getting Started

Good question!  Many people of all ages and walks of life enjoy the study of Martial Arts.  Here are some basic reasons some folks give for beginning their journey in the martial arts:

• Exercise

• Improved coordination and focus

• Self Confidence

• Competition

• Stress relief

• Personal Protection

• Make new friends

People of all ages and physical levels gain fitness, self-defense skills, leadership skills, improved concentration, increased focus, self-discipline, confidence, good sportsmanship, a sense of accomplishment, a sense of fun, and a sense of balance in our often hectic and demanding lives. An additional benefit is the stress-relieving properties of martial arts training; heavy bags and kicking shields are a great way to relieve that tension!

The martial arts encourage participants to challenge themselves, learn new things, overcome obstacles, build on strengths and strengthen weaknesses. These skills are learned simultaneously with martial arts techniques; they are inseparable. What you learn and gain from the martial arts can be applied to all aspects of your life. The martial way truly becomes a lifelong journey.

Whatever the reason for starting, the motivation to train comes from within the individual.  You must find your reason to practice.  That is perhaps the most important yet overlooked aspect of the martial arts.

Why not take a self-defense course?

Self-defense courses are good and provide some insight into personal protection.  However, the key to reacting to an incident is muscle memory - a spontaneous and practiced response to stimuli.  Most of the time, an attack occurs with little to no warning, so most people "freeze up" or try to remember a self-defense move they learned.  Such a delay allows the aggressor to set the pace of the attack.

Regular martial arts training, however, allows the person to frequently practice various techniques that will, under stress, come out with little to no thought. We call this ability 'mu-shin' (acting without thought).  This rapid response may startle and disorient an attacker, which will allow you to successfully defend yourself and make your escape.

Why Karate?

It is a great form of exercise, team building, personal accomplishment, and growth.  Most of all, it provides a sense of empowerment and a positive outlook on life.

Your First Class

Wear something comfortable - sweat pants or gym shorts and a loose fitting t-shirt.  Everyone will engage in a light to moderate workout, led by the instructor (called Sensei).  Go at your pace; if you need to stop, feel free to rest briefly and resume participation when you can.  After the warm up, students will begin to learn how to do basic blocks, punches, and kicks.  More material will be added as you progress.

Cost of Classes

Your first week is always free of charge!  Come try out a few classes on us!

Adults (13 and older) - $60 a month.  Additional family members are added at a discount.

Children (4-12 years old) - $50 a month.  Again, there is a discount for families that enroll multiple children.

Equipment and Uniforms

Uniforms - If you previously trained in martial arts and you have a uniform (called a gi), you can wear it with a white belt (please remove any patches before wearing).  If you need to purchase a uniform, Sensei Cunningham places regular orders with his supplier.  Ask him about ordering a uniform before or after your class.

Equipment - No equipment is necessary when you begin training.  In time, you might find yourself wanting sparring gear or personal training weapons (bo, sai, tonfa, etc.).  These can be ordered online or, if you prefer, through Sensei Cunningham.