Our JKA Karate Builds confidence,character,self-control,self-discipline. Improve your fitness whilst thriving in healthy competition.Develop your full potential whilst learning  ultimate shotokan karate self defence techniques.
Classes held In Luton & Watford for Kids & Adults. 

 

A. Karate is a martial art and system of self-defence that originated hundreds of years ago in Okinawa, but was greatly influenced by an even older tradition from China. Literally, Karate-do means the way of the empty hand, referring to the fact that its practitioners use no weapons to attack and defend, but only the hands, feet, and body. Yet karate is much more than merely physical. It is founded on a grand philosophy and Bushido ( Warrior Class ) principles. Through hard training and practice, karate develops not only the body, but also the mind and character.

Practising karate at the Shotokan JKA Academy offers many benfits to its practitioners, including self-defence,and improved physical fitness, strength & agility,as well as increased mental focus & discipline, It can also help build confidence & self-esteem, learning multitude of effective and practical karate self-defence skills in a safe environment .

A. The ultimate purpose of karate is not physical prowess or the winning of matches, but the development of balance, harmony, spiritual and physical strength through strict, disciplined training. Karate training moulds you in natural, effortless action, and imbues you with an openness, peace and wholeness of character that vastly enriches your day-to-day life.

. Shotokan karate is one of the most widely practiced forms of karate in the world today, and one of the most traditional. Introduced to Japan from Okinawa by Master Funakoshi Gichin, Shotokan puts heavy focus on kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) to develop a range of powerful and dynamic techniques. The designation ”Shotokan” derived from ”Shoto” which was the pen name Master Funakoshi used when writing poetry. The JKA has refined the Shotokan style even further, creating a related, but unique style all its own. The strength of this style proves itself time and again: the JKA has by far the largest number of All Japan and international karate tournament champions.

A. With members in over 100 countries, the Japan Karate Association (JKA), is the world’s largest and most prestigious karate organization, and the only legal karate entity officially recognized by the Japanese government as an association of members for the promotion of karate. More importantly though, we are The Keeper of Karate’s Highest Tradition, the preserver of the soul and spirit of the art of karate in line with the tradition of Bushido (the way of the samurai). Our mission is to promote the way of karate throughout the world, while ensuring that it remains true to the philosophical precepts upon which it was founded. This has been its mission since the establishment of the JKA in 1949.

The JKA is the generally-recognized heir to the Shotokan karate tradition as developed by Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin, and teaches a specially-refined form of Shotokan style karate.

At the JKA, karate is not a sport or a game of points; it is a way of life based on Bushido. In true karate, the body, mind and spirit―the whole person― must be developed simultaneously. Through intense practice, the physical and mental aspects of karate can be brought together. The result is natural, effortless action, and the confidence, humility, openness and peace only possible through perfect unity of body and mind. This is the core teaching of Bushido, and the cornerstone of the JKA’s karate philosophy.

All our Instructors and coaches are qualified to coach karate. They are supervised by our head coach Mr Sham Aktar 7th Dan. They undergo continuous instructor training once every month and are certified to ensure that our students receive the highest quality karate instruction. They are also DBS verified & Child protection certified.

Yes! The only real requirement is a disciplined commitment to work hard and train patiently. As long as that commitment is there, karate is for everyone ―regardless of age, sex, or ethnic background . In our Academy our minimum intake age is 6 years plus for Children.

Not really. Since karate will gradually improve your fitness as you progress, your starting point is less important than the effort you put into it along the way. At the JKA, our traditional focus on the basics and on correct form make it easy for beginners to train together with experienced individuals yet still progress at their own level of fitness and expertise. If you are less fit, your progress at the start will simply be more moderate; as your fitness improves, so will the pace at which you advance.

Four things. You are expected to be committed to your karate training, and to attend classes on a regular basis. You are expected to give your karate training your maximum effort, and to work hard during practice. You are expected to demonstrate the respect, humility and courtesy upon which karate’s long-standing tradition is founded. And of course, you are expected to pay your membership dues and other fees on joining.

A typical karate practice session usually begins with a comprehensive warm-up, followed by the various training exercises. The exercises are divided into three main categories: kihon (basic techniques), in which you learn the basic blocks, punches, kicks, stances, etc. of karate; kata (forms), in which you practice and physically remember the various kihon learned; and kumite (sparring), where your kihon and kata techniques are matched against a real opponent. As your skill level increases, so will the difficulty and degree of the exercises. Of course, there will also be times when you are taught theory, dojo etiquette, and the more philosophical aspects of karate. In our Academy there is regular testing every month on the material learned during that month,and also the main regular grading examination every four months for your belt test.

It’s really up to you. The more you practice, the more you will improve ―for your entire life. There is no limit to mastering karate, no ”final destination” at which you can arrive. There are benchmarks along the way however. At the Shotokan JKA Academy, you progress through a series of belt levels (9th to 1st Kyu). After that, you receive a black belt, and progress through another 9 degrees of black belt (1st to 10th Dan). A student with no prior training joins the JKA as 10th Kyu, and is eligible to take ranking examinations every 3-4 months of training. Since there are 9-15 examinations you must pass to attain a black belt 1st Dan, therefore the 1st Dan requires an average of 5 years of diligent training. It takes several years to attain each subsequent Dan, which are degrees of black belts like rungs up the ladder of advanced karate practice. At these higher levels, you will see that karate is not just something to be learned, but something to be lived. And that takes a lifetime.

Eventually, yes. Karate uniforms (dogi) are usually given free first time on joining and paying the fees and are available through your instructor at our Karate Academy. Inquire at your karate dojo for more details of joining .

Effective Karate self-defence is the essence of our Shotokan JKA Karate curriculum.We provide students with the opportunity to apply karate self-defence techniques and karate skills against an attacking or resisting opponent through live simulated karate training drills. Practical , effective Karate self-defence in application training is the key benefit to training in karate and you will get plenty of karate practice on your way up the grades through the practice of karate kata applications (simulated fighting drils) and karate kumite (sparring drills) practice in class.

Required attendance for beginners starting karate at the Shotokan JKA Academy is 2 -3 times per week .

For more Intermediate and Advanced level students, it is 3-4 classes per week.

You have to qualify to join the Shotokan JKA Academy. We enrol only enthusiastic and dedicated students from the age of 6 years,who show a great interest in learning JKA Shotokan karate after passing our FREE Trial class and meeting our requirements of attendances as well as the fees.

Contact the Shotokan JKA Academy if you wish to qualify as a student to join.