Redditch Shotokan

What should I wear?

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 £25-30 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?
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?
J.K.I. 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? 
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.

Where Can I Find A Class?
If you are in the Redditch or Pershore area, our class times and location details are here.
Individual membership will only be available to bona-fide members of clubs, in affiliation to the JKI.
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?

Karate for Children from 7 years:
The opportunities for self Development through Karate study are significant but the benefits of involving young people 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.
Starting from age seven upwards, our unique children’s program is designed to instill:
Effort concentration and coordination

  Character and self-esteem

  Sincerity and respect

  Self-control and etiquette

Is it safe for me and my children?
All J.K.I. 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, however we strongly recommend that you use our checklist before joining any club, regardless of style or association.