Our Classes
Please note that our classes are adult-only (16+). Spectating a class is free, so please stop by any time! Classes are taught in English, but techniques are generally referred to by their Japanese names. See our Japanese – English glossary of karate terms
Tuition & Fees
$10 a class, or $40 a month
What to wear?
Shorts/Sweats and a t-shirt are fine, but if you plan to stay longer, we will help you order a Gi (karate uniform) Although Shotokan karate encourages all members to control techniques, our dojo recommends a mouth guard and gloves for the matching segment as contact sometimes can occur.
What do we do during class?
Our classes follow a fairly set rhythm including:
Warm ups
Basics / Kihon (these are fundamental techniques)
Kata (a set series of movements or “forms”)
Structured matching (“kumite”)
Class Etiquette
Most etiquette is taught during class, so you have many opportunities to learn as you go. Learning all of the etiquette associated with Karate comes with time, but here are a few basic rules to get you started.
- We line up by rank for a brief meditation (from most senior member to newest member) at the beginning and end of each class. If you aren’t sure where to line up, just ask.
- In order to show respect to our opponents, we bow before and after each engagement.
Ranking System
- Godan = 5th Degree Black Belt (Highest SKA Rank)
- Yodan = 4th Degree Black Belt
- Sandan = 3rd Degree Black Belt
- Nidan = 2nd Degree Black Belt
- Shodan = 1st Degree Black Belt
- Ikkyu = 1st rank Brown Belt
- Nikyu = 2nd rank Brown Belt
- Sankyu = 3rd rank Brown Belt
- Yonkyu = 4th rank (Highest) White Belt Rank
- Gokyu = 5th rank white belt
- Rokukyu = 6th rank white belt
- Shichikyu = 7th rank white belt
- Hachikyu = 8th rank white belt (beginner’s first rank)
- Unranked = unranked white belt (someone who has not been graded)