Parting the clouds, seeking the way.

Traditional Shotokai karate in Glasgow since 1992. Juniors from age five, seniors into their seventies, six days a week across four venues. Your first class is free.

Come to a class See the timetable

雲を拓き 道を求める

Formed in 1992. Independent ever since.

The Glasgow Karate-do Shoto Association was formed in 1992 and answers to no other martial arts organisation. That independence lets our members train in any discipline without interference. We encourage it: go and find other martial arts, then bring what you learn back into our training.

There are no age limits. Our youngest member is five and our eldest is over 70. You do not need to be fit to start, we will get you fit. Our coaching certificates cover teaching people with disabilities, and we may ask you to check with your GP before you take part. We believe in training safe.

5youngest member 70+eldest member

Read the story of the association

Members of the association lined up together in a sports hall, juniors at the front and seniors behind
Members of the associationJuniors and seniors train together across the city

Shotokai is the foundation.

We teach martial arts on a Shotokai karate base: fluid movement and timing, with maximum force applied at the point of contact. On top of that we teach defence against weapons, grappling and ground work, so what you learn is a complete combative system.

Unlike other styles we hold no competitions. There are no rules in a real fight.

Karate practice divides into roughly four areas.

  1. 1

    Physical training

    Fitness, balance and coordination, built week by week.

  2. 2

    Kihon

    Basic practice. The fundamentals, repeated until they are yours.

  3. 3

    Kata

    Techniques and movements performed in a set sequence.

  4. 4

    Kumite

    Free practice of techniques with a partner.

How we train

Rank is earned, not given.

We are not a tournament school. We are a traditional Shotokai karate-do dojo.

Students are treated as family, not customers.

“Train as if your life depends on it. Someday it will.”

We ask for good character before we grant membership. Bad attitude, ego and arrogance are unwelcome. Everyone sets their own pace and advances on the effort they put in. There is no timeline for automatic promotion.

Six days a week, four venues.

School venue classes run during term time, and Kelvin Hall runs all year round. Juniors and seniors have their own sessions, and seniors are welcome to join junior classes too. Turn up to any of them.

  1. Mon18:30JuniorsThe Douglas Academy
  2. Tue19:00Juniors and seniorsNotre Dame Primary
  3. Wed19:00SeniorsNotre Dame Primary
  4. Thu18:30JuniorsKnightswood Primary
  5. FriRestNo classes
  6. Sat10:00Juniors and seniorsNotre Dame and Kelvin Hall
  7. Sun12:00Juniors and seniorsKelvin Hall
Two senior members practising a block and strike in a school sports hall
  • The Douglas Academy45 Craigton Road, Milngavie G62 7HL
  • Notre Dame Primary School30 Havelock Street, Glasgow G11 5JE
  • Knightswood Primary School36 Knightscliffe Avenue, Glasgow G13 2TE
  • Kelvin Hall1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AW
See the full timetable

Your first class is free.

Come along to any class and join in. Bring jogging trousers, a t-shirt, training shoes and some water. If you decide to carry on, the association supplies karate suits and training equipment at discounted prices.

Everyone you will train with started out exactly where you are now. Come for one night and see.

Fees and how to join Read the FAQ
Two young members in white gis, one with an orange belt and one with a purple belt

Come and train with us.

To join, or to ask anything else, send us a message and our chief instructor Stephen will point you to the right class.

Send a message See the timetable