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Six Week Beginners Course
Starts September 21, 2009
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twelve classes |
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Monday and Wednesday |
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Selkirk Street School |
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Kids (8 to 12 years): 6 to 7pm |
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Adults (13 and up) 7- 8:30pm |
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cost is $70, family rate available |
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no special clothing required |
What are we practicing?
Karate is usually translated from Japanese as empty hand. It is a Japanese art with its origins in Okinawa and southern China. Shotokan karate was developed early in the 20th century by Funakoshi Gichin who brought karate from Okinawa to Japan. He adapted this lethal art so it could be practiced safely in schools.
In this six week program, you will learn the basics of karate etiquette, discipline, fundamentals, form, one-step sparring and self-defence.
You will not learn jumping kicks, spinning techniques, breaking boards or contact sparring. We are trying to develop sound fundamentals not movie stars.
“Karate-do is a lifetime study,” says the adage. It will take time to develop the skills and reflexes necessary to defend yourself and others from a physical attack. But the beginners’ course shows you the start. It is up to you where you go from there.
How is karate different from other martial arts?
Shotokan is now the most widely practiced style of karate in the world. It is renowned for its strong stances and powerful techniques. Where Tae kwon do stresses high kicking technique, Shotokan is grounded and uses more hand technique, though it has an arsenal of kicks as well. Judo is a grappling art, involving throwing, joint locks and chokes. Shotokan has these as well but its philosophy tends more to punching, kicking and striking. At the higher belt levels, you will learn sweeps, takedowns, and how to take a fall but, in the beginning, we concentrate on keeping you on your feet. Jujitsu is very similar in its techniques to judo as they have the same origin. The Chinese styles, popularly called kung fu but more properly termed wu shu, are incredibly varied. It is supposed that Japanese karate came from some of the hard wu shu styles. In fact, one interpretation of ideograms for kara-te means Chinese hand.
Do you take 5 year olds?
Unfortunately, we don't take children younger than 8 years old. We have found over the years that teaching children before they have had the discipline of two years of schooling, takes a different teaching method and requires a different type of class. We simply are not set up for the younger ones.How do I join?
All you have to do is show up on Registration night and start your training. Just wear a plain t-shirt, loose, comfortable pants and bare feet.
What happens after the beginners’ course?
If you decide that Shotokan karate is for you, then you become part of the regular club, showing up at exactly the same times every week. You will have to purchase a gi (white karate uniform) and pay a monthly fee of $40. When you become part of Kita Kaze, you also become part of two other organizations (see below). There are small, annual fees to belong to both. You can download the fees list here.
ShotoCanada
This is the parent body for our type of Shotokan. It provides the grading syllabus that will help guide your training. When you pass a belt test with Kita Kaze, your rank is recognized by ShotoCanada, the National Karate Association of Canada and most world bodies.
ShotoCanada holds a national training camp and a tournament every year open to all members. See the ShotoCanada home page for more information.
Yukon Karate Association
This is the sport-governing body for karate in the Yukon. The YKA holds an annual Yukon Championships.
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