Practicing karate at the Shotokan JKA Academy offers numerous benefits, including self-defense, improved physical fitness, strength, agility, and increased mental focus and discipline. It also helps build confidence and self-esteem, all while learning effective and practical self-defense 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 and traditional forms of karate. Introduced to Japan from Okinawa by Master Funakoshi Gichin, it focuses on kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) to develop powerful and dynamic techniques. The name 'Shotokan' comes from 'Shoto,' Master Funakoshi's pen name. The JKA has refined Shotokan, creating a unique style with the largest number of All Japan and international karate champions.

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.

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.

Not at all! Karate will gradually improve your fitness as you go. Your starting point matters less than the effort you put in. At the JKA, we focus on basics and correct form, making it easy for beginners to train alongside experienced individuals. If you're less fit, your progress will be more moderate at first, but as your fitness improves, so will your pace of advancement.

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 depends on your dedication. The more you practice, the more you improve. At the Shotokan JKA Academy, you progress through belt levels (9th to 1st Kyu) before earning a black belt. A student with no prior training starts as 10th Kyu and can take ranking exams every 3-4 months. It typically takes about 5 years of diligent training to achieve the 1st Dan black belt. Each subsequent Dan takes several years, reflecting a lifetime commitment to karate.

Yes, eventually. Karate uniforms (dogi) are usually provided for free when you join and pay the fees. You can get them through your instructor at our Karate Academy. Ask at your dojo for more details!

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.