St Albans Shotokan Karate is part of the Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association (TISKA). TISKA was founded by our chief instructor Gursharan Sahota (7th Dan) in 1993. The association has a wide network of clubs throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.

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St Albans Shotokan Karate CLUB NEWS

TISKA chief instructor
Gursharan Sahota

St Albans Shotokan Karate Club

St Albans Shotokan Karate is one of the association’s most successful clubs and offers two separate training sessions in the St Albans area each week. The club’s instructor is Kevin Coles (5th Dan), who started the first St Albans Shotokan Karate club in 1991. Our club has members with a wide mix of abilities, from beginner to 3rd Dan black belt from a broad range of professional and social backgrounds. Children are increasingly attracted to karate and the club has members as young as five. Our members include families who have trained together for many years from beginner through to black belt.

In addition to our normal training regime of Kihon, Kata and Kumite (see Shotokan Karate below), students of the club also participate in association gradings, courses and competitions throughout the year. Competitions are designed for all skill levels and ages and provide an opportunity to demonstrate the skills of all our Karate-Ka's (Karate practitioners).

Why St Albans Shotokan Karate Club?

• Develop and maintain fitness and flexibility.
• Increase your confidence and self esteem.
• Learn self defence skills.
• Feel good and have fun!
  

What is Shotokan Karate?

Shotokan (Shoh’toh-kan) means “Shoto’s house”, where “Shoto” was the pen-name of Gichin Funakoshi, a man who is commonly referred to as “the father of modern Karate”. Shotokan Karate is a Japanese martial art founded by Funakoshi with its roots from the Okinawan martial art tradition (style) of Shorin-Ryu. This style has, in turn, many similarities with Chinese martial arts and was influenced by the strong historic trading and communication links between Okinawa and the Chinese mainland. Shotokan Karate is characterised by deep, strong stances and dynamic techniques.

Karate practice is divided into three aspects:

• Kihon (basic technique)
• Kata (forms/patterns)
• Kumite (sparring)

Each of these aspects of Shotokan Karate is carefully and methodically practiced within all TISKA association clubs. Through meticulous and constant training, participants of all ages are encouraged to develop their own Karate ability at their own pace. Initially, physical contact is avoided, but as you increase in ability you will be encouraged to participate in controlled sparring with your club members. Shotokan students (typically at brown and black belt level) may occasionally train with traditional Okinawan weapons; the bo, a six foot wooden staff and the sai, a pronged truncheon.

How to join St Albans Shotokan Karate Club

Beginners’ classes are scheduled throughout the year and demand is particularly strong following Christmas and the summer holidays but new students are welcome at the club whenever they wish to start. New members are invited to train for a FREE trial first lesson. No special training equipment or previous experience is required. We welcome men, women and children of all ages with classes suited to all abilities. For information on the next beginners' class, please contact the club secretary.

Individuals with previous Karate or martial arts experience are also welcome to join the club, please contact us to discuss your training requirements.

Contact details

Club Secretary:

Mrs Eve Coles, 01707 322482.

Email: info@karatestalbans.co.uk

Training Details

St Albans Shotokan Karate Club runs training sessions at two separate locations each week. Please contact the club secretary for more information on training times. Students are requested not to wear their “gis” (karate training suit) when travelling to or from training. If you do need to wear your gi, please ensure it is well covered up with a long overcoat or tracksuit.

For more information contact: info@karatestalbans.co.uk

Training is held in the new sports hall, adjacent to the swimming pool at the rear of the school. Full changing and shower facilities are available. Parking is available directly adjacent to the new sports hall.