Frequently Asked Questions

Am I too old to start doing Karate?

No, if you have the will to start doing Karate then we will have the way to progress you through your training, although the lessons will be catered for the whole group and you will be encouraged to only do what is comfortable for YOU to do with assistance from the instructors or fellow students. We have a wide range of students from 4yrs to over 60yrs, all we ask you to do is have a quick word with your GP, (this is just to make sure that you are prepared for a new exercise regime).

I am not fit, can I still do Karate?

Yes you can, one thing to remember is that you train to get fit; you don’t need to get fit to train. You will be encouraged to do what you and your body are able to cope with, and the more you train the fitter you will become, there is no Karate muscle, you train your whole body as one (and also your mind). The instructors will assist you from the start until you are comfortable to stand on your own 2 feet. As with any changes in lifestyle it is recommended to have a quick chat with your GP.

Is the main instructor police checked to teach children?

Yes, as are all the other instructors. All instructors hold a current CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) certificate, hold a current insurance certificate and also have First Aid training so you can be assured that children (and adults) can train in a professional and safe environment.

Do I need a Karate suit to start training?

No, when you first start we recommend that you turn up in loose fitting bottoms (track suit or training trousers) and a good fitting t-shirt, we do not encourage the wearing of the best brand of clothing just something that will be comfortable for you to move in, also footwear will be removed during the training sessions. Once you have completed your FREE lessons and if you decide to carry on your Karate training you will be supplied with a Gi (Karate suit), Club & Association Badges, Kit Bag and an Information Book.

Do you do beginners only classes?

No. We have carried out this form of training in the past but found that this was not the best way to develop new students, as the classes were only progressing at the pace of the slowest student. Therefore now new students are placed alongside more experienced students who will coach and assist you in every way they can, even if your training colleague does not know the answers they can then approach their seniors who will gladly assist both of you. This method of training has proved to have huge benefits for the development of all students.

I have a medical condition, is it safe to do Karate?

Obviously this depends on the severity of the condition, first of all you must speak to you GP if you wish to undertake any form of Martial Art, many of our students have benefitted training whilst having a medical conditions, if you and your GP think that it would be of benefit to you participate in Karate then all we ask you to do is inform your instructors of your condition, this is treated under strict confidence.

Will I get injured during my training?

If we said that there were never any injuries, then this would be a lie. You would be training to defend yourself if the situation would ever arise. So receiving the occasional bruise or bump is far less serious than what the outcome could be. We train to do the strongest blocks, kicks and strikes against our opponents. We do not tolerate students who can not control themselves and cause serious injury to other students; therefore we operate a ‘safe as can be’ training environment. Bear in mind that ten times more injuries happen in football than Karate.

Will I be training amongst children?

That all depends on the age of yourself! We run 3 separate classes. Please refer to the TRAINING section of the website. You will notice that the adult class caters for students from 12yrs and up, we have found that at this age the skills that are learnt whilst training with adults make these students more responsible and mature, and this has a lot of benefit during their adolescence years.

I did karate sometime ago and reached 6th Kyu (green belt) would I have to start again at white belt?

No, we generally acknowledge your grade, but your first grading with us would be your green belt 6th Kyu to ensure that you are of the standard you were before you decided to take a break, and therefore you will be able to progress from where you left off, don’t forget that different schools have different standards, and we pride ourselves on ours.

How long does I take to get a black belt?

How quick do you want it? Other schools can offer you a black belt after a 6 month intensive course where you are fast tracked through the ranks. At Clifton & Eastleake Shotokan Academies we have gradings every 3 months for grades from white belt 10th Kyu to brown belt 3rd Kyu and then every 6 months for grades from brown/white belt 2nd Kyu to black belt 1st Dan, therefore a time scale of 3 to 4 years should be expected. Would you be prepared to see a doctor who had only trained for 6 months? We believe that if something is ‘fast tracked’ then something must be missing.

How often do I need to train?

This all depends on the individual student, but as a new student to Karate we recommend that you train twice a week, with this frequency of training it ensures that you don’t ‘burn out’ too quickly and you get the most out of your new training regime, then as your fitness and abilities progress then you could train three sessions a week, and then up to four times a week can be of benefit if you need to brush up on your techniques prior to gradings. But remember that too much could have a detrimental effect on your Karate.

I have watched your lessons why do you speak in a different language?

At Clifton & Eastleake Shotokan Academies we are a traditional Karate school and therefore many of our instructions are given out in Japanese, but don’t let this scare you away, we also give the same instruction in English for all new and novice students, look at it as learning not only a new skill but also a new language, we all start by learning to count to 10 in Japanese and before to long you will also be able to follow instructions in Japanese.

Do you have a ladies only class?

No, we have found that in ladies only classes that you are mentally training to be attacked by another female, where in fact that most women are subject to an attack from the opposite sex. Therefore our training revolves around real life. At first you would have a female training companion but has your confidence starts to grow you would be able to train with and against males without being intimidated.

How often and when do you train?

Please refer to the TRAINING section of the website .

Is karate the best martial art?

There is a simple answer to that question, it is NO. In fact no single martial art is the best, different styles lend themselves to different techniques so be very wary of other schools stating that theirs is the best, We at Clifton & Eastleake Shotokan Academies have a good reputation of getting the best from our students at all age groups.

Do I need a Karate licence?

 Yes, all students require a valid licence to be able to train and take their gradings, the licence is renewable annually and this is also your insurance in the event of injury. Licences are issued by E.A.S.K.A. (English All Styles Karate Association) this is a separate body to the Academy.

Can I sit and watch my child during the classes?

Yes, we encourage parents and guardians to be supportive during their Childs development of Karate, by sitting in during the class you will have an insight into just how much they learn and the achievements they will be gaining, you may also be able to pick up on aspects of their training where you feel that may need assistance and convey this to the instructor, also by sitting in during classes you may be able to correct different issues when your child is training at home.

What is a grading and what does it consist of?

First of all a grading is the possibility to progress through the ranks (belts) to show your skills and achievements since you started Karate or your last grading, each grading passed is another step towards getting to your black belt.

Secondly  the gradings consist of registration to take part in your grading exam, for this you will require your Karate licence valid and in date, your grading fee (available from the instructors up to 4 weeks prior to your grading), after registration you will start a warm up session, next is the check list where the examiners will confirm which students will be taking their grading, the next stage is the grading itself when small groups (between 2 and 5 students) will enter the grading room, there you will be assessed on your Karate techniques, once your grading has finished you are free to leave.

Grading runs in order starting with white belt (around 12pm) through to the highest grades (around 5pm). Please bring a light lunch and something to drink (no ‘pop’) relative to where you will be grading. Graduations are held the following Thursday night session where all three groups will be in the room together, presentations are then made to the qualifying students, parents, guardians and families are welcome at the graduation night to congratulate ALL the students

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