Thinking about trying something new for yourself or your children? Stepping into a martial arts dojo can feel like a big leap, but we promise an experience that’s far from formal and intimidating. We’re all about fun, friendliness, and fostering personal growth in an inclusive and welcoming community.
Whether you’re a curious parent, a child eager to try a new activity, an adult looking for fitness and self-defence, or someone considering a return to martial arts after a break, here’s what you can expect when you join our martial arts family.
For Beginners and Returning Practitioners: Your Journey Starts (or Continues!) Here
Starting a new sport can be daunting, especially when you’re worried about being worse than everyone else or feeling out of place. However, karate is the perfect sport for beginners who feel nervous about these things. This is because karate emphasises personal growth. Unlike some team sports where your performance is directly compared to others, in karate, you’re encouraged to focus on your own progress and development, creating a pressure-free environment where you can learn at your own pace. This makes karate the perfect sport for nervous beginners.
For those who have previously trained but taken a break, perhaps due to injury, work, or personal reasons, getting back into the groove can feel challenging. Martial arts training is a journey of discipline and continuous learning, and we understand that life can sometimes cause us to take a pause. We warmly welcome those looking to reintegrate martial arts training into their routine and are here to support your successful return.
For Our Younger Practitioners: Fun, Focus, and Friendship!
Starting karate for children, especially for our youngest aged 4-6 (Little Warriors), is all about making learning exciting. We introduce martial arts through engaging games and exercises, helping children develop into confident, focused, and strong individuals. Children learn new skills that will help them develop into confident, focused, and strong Juniors. The atmosphere is friendly and the instructors are brilliant with children, ensuring a supportive and enjoyable experience where they develop skills such as self-control, defence, concentration, and respect.
For children aged 7-15 (Junior Warriors and Cadets), the journey continues with advanced moves and exercises, teaching effective karate in a fun and exciting way. Beyond the physical techniques, children also develop vital life skills like confidence, kindness, and mental resilience. Karate requires sustained attention, helps reduce impulsivity, and encourages learners to maintain focus on specific movements and instructions, making it a great activity for children, including those with ADHD and other neurodiversities. Our emphasis extends far beyond mastering physical techniques to cultivating strong character, discipline, and a positive mindset.
Our instructors for children are fully qualified, first aid trained, safeguarding trained, and insured. They are dedicated to creating a safe and enriching environment where every child can thrive.
For Our Adult Practitioners: Get Fit, Bust Stress, and Feel Confident!
If you’re an adult considering martial arts, you’ll find our classes are fun and friendly no matter what age or ability. Whether you’re looking to get fit, learn self-defence, or simply try something new, our adult karate and kickboxing classes are an excellent choice. We will work with you to help you achieve your personal fitness, mental well-being, and self-defence goals.
What to expect in our adult classes:
- Fitness & Conditioning: Our classes provide a comprehensive physical workout, helping you to get fit, bust stress, and feel confident. This contributes to overall physical well-being and stamina.
- Self-Defence Techniques: Learn effective and practical techniques that can be applied in real-world situations, building your confidence in your ability to protect yourself.
- Padwork: A dynamic component of training where you practice striking techniques against pads held by a partner or instructor. This helps to develop power, accuracy, speed, and timing in a controlled environment.
- Kata: Learn pre-arranged sequences of movements, which are fundamental to karate training. Kata are like living textbooks that contain the foundational techniques and principles of the art.
- Bunkai: This is the practical application and interpretation of the movements found within kata. We break down these sequences to understand their self-defence applications, giving deeper meaning to your training.
- Grappling: As kicks, blocks, strikes, and grappling are integral to our training, you will learn fundamental grappling techniques for close-quarters self-defence.
- Sparring: As you gain confidence and control, you will be introduced to controlled, light sparring. This is a safe way to apply techniques with a partner, developing timing, distance management, and responsiveness, all while maintaining a strong focus on safety and respect.
Our Unique Approach: Beyond the Physical Techniques
We pride ourselves on a holistic approach that goes beyond just physical training. This is part of what makes our environment so relaxed and supportive:
- The Power of Mokuso (黙想): Every session begins with a quiet few minutes of Mokuso, a “meditation or quiet thinking” time. This helps us “defrag” our minds, allowing everyone to sit still, close their eyes, and find a moment of peace before the energy levels rise. It’s a key part of cultivating discipline and a positive mindset.
- Emphasis on Personal Growth: Unlike some team sports that focus on direct comparison, karate emphasises personal growth. This means you’re encouraged to improve at your own pace, focusing on your journey rather than competing with others, which is perfect for nervous beginners.
How Inclusive Are We? A Place for Everyone!
One of the cornerstones of our martial arts club is our unwavering commitment to inclusivity. We believe that martial arts is for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background.
- Open to All Ages and Abilities: Our martial arts classes for adults and children are fun and friendly no matter what age or ability. We welcome everyone, from the youngest “Little Warriors” to adults looking to get fit or learn self-defence, ensuring there’s a place for you to thrive.
- Focus on Personal Journey, Not Comparison: We understand that starting something new can be daunting, especially if you’re worried about feeling out of place or “looking foolish.” That’s why our karate emphasises personal growth. You are encouraged to focus on your own progress and development, creating a pressure-free environment where you can learn at your own pace. This makes karate the perfect activity for nervous beginners.
- UK’s First Trauma and Mental Health Informed Club: We are incredibly proud to be the UK’s first Trauma and Mental Health Informed Martial Arts club. Spearheaded by our Chief Instructor, Jon McLean, this means our club operates within an important framework designed to support the overall mental and emotional well-being of all our students. This commitment ensures we provide a truly safe, understanding, and non-formal environment where everyone feels valued and understood.
We empower individuals to become their best and strongest selves within an inclusive and welcoming community.
Ready to Step Onto the Mat?
Starting something new can be daunting, but beginners are always welcome. We empower individuals to become their best and strongest selves in an inclusive and welcoming community.
Why not experience our fun, friendly, and supportive atmosphere for yourself? You can book a FREE trial lesson and discover the difference martial arts can make – or just come along to watch and have a chat with one of our instructors.
