Testimonials

...in this time he has made good progress under the tutelage of Shihan Adrian Barker. Peter looks forward to the classes with eager anticipation and can regularly be found practising his moves and Kata. It is the dedication and motivational skills that Shihan has developed that has made Peter so enthusiastic, so much so that he has convinced his mother to take up Shotokan as well.

... his fitness and stamina is down to the exercise which he does 2-3 times per week. Harry has enjoyed making new friends and likes achieving his new belts- his aim is black!

...discipline, respect, continued learning and fitness of body and mind. Run on the basis of the 3 Fs – Fair, Firm and Fun - these classes are made to be enjoyable and not just grueling. Tuition is under a 6th Dan Master with the aid of dedicated support staff who do it because they want to, not because they have to. A key aspect is punctuality : not only in respect of the time donated by instructors, but also in being able not to miss that all important block!

There is a strong element of camaraderie between class members either whilst waiting to train, during group tuition or at the regular 3 monthly Gradings. There is an annual group session at Centre Parcs for those wishing to attend and other additional group activities outside of regular training sessions; not forgetting demonstrations for public awareness. A recent success has been parent participation where parents actually training in class to gain an appreciation of how hard students work, what is being paid for and to be “Bruce Lee for a day “!

Gradings give positive feed-back on individual progress, are fully documented and give that all important buzz when things go right. And when they don’t then it’s not seen as failure; you just need to take on-board the comments from the Instructors and next time you WILL pass. Younger members are expected to submit Life-skill projects at Gradings which give them chance to express a topic dear to them and to follow a pattern of daily activities such as helping around the house and being respectful to Parents, Siblings, Teachers and also each other.

Just look at the number of Black Belts produced and you will appreciate the strength of this Academy.

...for the last few years, I have been asked several times if I want to have a go. I had declined once or twice with all kinds of excuses. I was going to the gym at the time so wasn’t really interested in another form of exercise. My previous experiences with martial arts had been short and not very sweet so I really did not feel it was for me.

Eventually I relented and decided to have a go. I was brought to a Tuesday night class and told that “it’s a bit harder tonight than the usual classes”. It all felt a little daunting as we lined up, but Shihan had explained that this was a traditional club and we would be following a ritual of thanking the teacher for the lesson and he thanking us in turn for allowing him to teach. We would also say a few words in Japanese the meaning of which was explained. I was told not to worry “we aren’t some weird cult”. So I lined up and looked bewildered as we started the lesson.

Then it was the start of the exercises which were…..Challenging. I would not recommend Tuesdays to the uninitiated but to build up to them by attending the other lessons which are not as intensive.

I was hooked. I loved every lesson I have attended. We learnt basics on a Sunday and Wednesday and reinforced them with practice. Boring some may say, but each time we go back to the basics at each level I have something else I can be working on to improve. To start with you are trying to get your arms and legs to do what you want at the right time and as you move up the grades you begin to refine the smaller parts of your technique. There are lessons full of frustration (Tuesdays mostly) where you feel like you will never get it right. But you do get it and it is so satisfying when you pull off a complicated combination. Thursdays are fantastic as we take the basic moves that we have practised all week and put them into combinations with a partner. Sometimes it comes easily, and sometimes it’s not so easy. But every lesson is an achievement and you come away feeling good about yourself and what you have done.

The club is great; I help with the Tigers class (7-12 year olds) where my two kids are training. It’s wonderful to be a part of their lessons and help them and the other kids to improve and progress. There is a real family spirit with us that is welcoming to newcomers of all ages and abilities. All the senior grades are so helpful and want nothing more than to see you progress and succeed. Everyone helps each other with advice and support all presided over by Shihan Barker whose calm and friendly approach gives you the feeling that every lesson you have achieved something no matter how small the step.

The path to Black belt is a long one. It can take many years for some or for others a shorter time. You are never pressured to move faster than you are able, although you are always encouraged to fulfil your potential and move to the next level. Even when self-belief fails some, there is always encouragement and support from the rest of the club and more often than not that is all you need to get you through to the next level.

I wholeheartedly recommend the club to both adults and children who want to improve their fitness in a safe and friendly environment, which gives you so much more than aerobics classes or the gym.

I have been attending for 10 months now and come to every lesson I can. I have a goal to reach black belt and hopefully beyond. With this club the standard is of such a high level that everyone who wears a belt has truly earned it. Each grade is a challenge and the sense of achievement and pride is so high. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by becoming part of this family.

... In classes the more you put in, the more you get out. When life is busy and stressful it is a steady rock you can depend on. Karate is always there to challenge, to humble and to share. Through extremes of effort and calm after the storm, daily stresses evaporate more easily. Karate gives focus, art, perspective and direction in the chaos, we all need to find these somewhere.