A senior instructor throwing a partner to the floor during grappling practice

稽古Training

Shotokai is the foundation. The rest makes it complete.

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.

Seniors practising techniques in lines across a sports hall

Soft, fluid, and free flowing.

Shotokai is a soft, fluid and free flowing style of karate. It emphasises fluidity, full body relaxation, natural movement along with proper body alignment and timing.

We use Shotokai as the foundation for teaching martial arts, then build on it so what you learn is a complete combative system. Unlike other styles, we do not hold competitions. There are no rules in a real fight.

  • No competitions, no point scoring
  • Juniors and seniors taught by black belts
  • Classical and modern methods

Four areas of practice.

  1. A line of senior black belts standing ready in a sports hall
    01

    Physical training

    Fitness, balance and coordination, built week by week. You do not have to be fit to start. Within a few weeks most people notice the difference.

  2. Two black belts in open hand stances facing each other
    02

    Kihon

    Basic practice. Stances, blocks, strikes and kicks, repeated with the class until the fundamentals are yours.

  3. Juniors performing kata together in a sports hall
    03

    Kata

    Techniques and movements performed in a set sequence. Kata carries the style from one generation to the next, and is good for body and mind alike.

  4. A front kick blocked by a partner during kumite
    04

    Kumite

    Free practice of techniques with a partner, where timing and distance meet a real, moving opponent.

A complete combative system.

Karate is where we start, not where we stop. Members also learn to deal with weapons, to throw and be thrown, and to keep working when a fight goes to the ground.

  • Two members practising with bo staffs on a beach

    Defence against weapons

    Practical responses to armed attacks, and training with the bo and kali sticks on our courses.

  • A throw caught mid-air against a dark background

    Grappling

    Throws, takedowns and holds, so you can control someone at close range as well as at a distance.

  • A partner thrown to the floor during ground work

    Ground work

    What to do when you end up on the floor, and how to get back to your feet safely.

道Seek the way

Go and learn from others. Then bring it home.

Because the association is independent, members are free to train in any discipline. We encourage it. Seminars with visiting instructors, courses abroad and other martial arts all feed back into our own training.

Gerry Cunningham with Erik Paulson at a CSW seminar

昇級Gradings

Rank is earned, not given.

Everyone sets their own learning pace and advances according to the effort and practice they put in. There is no timeline for automatic promotion, and no paying to move faster.

When your instructor thinks you are ready, you can grade for your next belt. Gradings are held every March and September.

Grading dates and events
A junior member with a brown belt standing beside his instructor

Your first class is free

Come and train with us.

Turn up to any class in jogging trousers and a t-shirt, bring some water, and join in. Everyone you will train with started exactly where you are now.

Two young members in white gis, one with an orange belt and one with a purple belt