Karate

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• What is Karate?

Karate is not only a very popular method of self defence it is a way of increasing ones overall health and fitness levels. As in all sports injuries can occur, to safeguard against this Karate is taught and practised along very strict lines of discipline and the aim whilst training is to pull all blows short of touching. Students are taught a systematic approach to defending themselves against a wide range of punches, kicks, strikes and throws. The first thing that all students are taught is that Karate is to be used only in situations of self defence and under no circumstances may they initiate a first attack. This is particularly emphasised to the children.

Karate, as one becomes more proficient becomes more difficult as the concepts and the techniques increase in difficulty. There is a structured syllabus which followed over a period of time increases students confidence and their co-ordination, naturally suppleness and strength improve as well. Karate as an activity is safe for anyone to partake of, we have taught pupils who have ranged in age from 4 years old to 74 years of age, all of these people have realised different goals from their study of Karate.

Students begin showing the rewards of their Karate training almost immediately. After about a year, the student will experience dramatic improvements physically and mentally as well as beginning to display increased levels of confidence, discipline and self-esteem. To some that may seem like a long time, but when considering the lasting effects, it is a small investment in the quality of the student's life.

There are many myths surrounding martial arts and the superhuman powers they give, sadly all mostly false. Students at Shin Gi Tai never ever have to break wood or bricks, shout “Ah So” or even pluck flies out of the air using chopsticks.

We learn Karate together in a relaxed and fun environment with dedicated instructors who are still actively training themselves.

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• How Classes are Structured

Childrens and Adults classes are taught very differently to one another. The first thing that all Children are taught is that ‘Karate begins and ends with courtesy’ to each other and to the instructors.

Classes are structured to promote fitness and health. The overall aim of Karate is to develop and protect the body. You will become fitter, improve your co-ordination, suppleness, balance and stamina whilst at the same time learning to defend yourself.

At the start of each class there will be a series of exercises to warm you up and help to develop fitness and flexibility. These warm ups are varied each week to ensure that students are mentally stimulated with a fresh challenge each lesson. Children’s classes are slightly different in that at the start of each class there will be a series of exercises to warm up and help to develop coordination, speed, balance and confidence in the child’s own ability. Often included in these warm ups are some ‘Karate Games’ such as dodge ball or ‘Karate Kid’ in the Middle. Games are a mixture of individual and team activities to get the children used to working as part of a team. The games are fun to take part in, but they also are designed to work specifically on improving a particular Karate technique.

We then move onto Kihon which are the fundamental techniques of Karate necessary to defend oneself. With progressive practice students learn to perform these with great speed and smoothness. However whilst learning these moves to start with, we practice slowly and gently to get the body used to what is being practiced.

A part of each class is taken over with studying Kata, which is best described as a series of movements placed together into a dance like form. Kata is a very good way of memorising Karate techniques and becoming fit. There are also certain Kata that have been developed to suit different body types.

The techniques that we learn in Kihon and Kata are then practiced in safe self defence scenarios with a partner to help understand their use in a practical environment.

All the children and in fact many of the adults love to practise sparring, so in many classes they get the opportunity to spar with the instructors to test what they have learnt and once they progress and can safely spar with each other they will. Children do practice hitting soft pads to see how effective their techniques actually are and as a great exercise for releasing their extra energy.

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• Grading / Belts

Students are regularly assessed to gauge their progress with regular feedback given. For those interested in formal gradings, every 3 to 4 months students are able to attempt their next belt. But no one is ever forced to attempt gradings.

The average time to reach black belt level is 4 to 5 years depending on the student's age, level of dedication, previous martial arts experience and proper attitude as well as proficiency in the art. An exceptional student might reach Black Belt in 2 ½ years.

Setting goals is an important way of progressing in many areas of today’s society from school to work through to leisure activities. Karate uses belts to help students with the setting of goals. Students follow a structured syllabus to help them attain all round success and with a natural progression between stages.

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• Non-Contact

Unlike many styles of martial art, we practice safe, controlled non contact martial arts. Karate is a holistic exercise, taught correctly it helps the posture, coordination, flexibility and motor skills. At no time should practicing Karate be painful.

We do practice hitting soft pads to feel what it is like to really hit something and to see how effective the techniques actually are. Working the pads is also a great exercise for getting fit and for releasing pent up stress.

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• Karate for Adults

Our adult classes are a lot more demanding, both physically and mentally for the students. Individually students are pushed as much as they wish to, in order to help them achieve their goals from Karate.

Students are taught the fundamentals of Karate and their use for self defence purposes, they explore some of the more advanced concepts such as the use of nerve points and using a gentler, but more effective style of Karate. As we get older we physically lose strength and speed, nevertheless students who apply the lessons of Karate well, actually get better as they mature. It is not unusual to see a mature exponent in their 60s beating a ‘youngster’ in their mid 20s.

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• Ladies Only Karate

Many women would like to learn Karate, yet they are put off by training in a male dominated class. We have solved this problem by offering ladies the chance to train in a female only class taught by a female instructor.

Of course ladies are welcome to attend the mixed classes if they wish for additional practise sessions.

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• Karate for Children

Shin Gi Tai is committed to teaching high quality safe Karate to Children of all ages. Normally Children start to learn Karate from the age of 5 and are taught in separate classes to the adults. This is recommended by Karate’s Governing body in the UK to increase the safety of children and their enjoyment.

Children’s classes focus on being a fun learning environment with games to increase co-ordination and flexibility and a structured syllabus to promote Karate development. Classes are disciplined whilst being exciting and enjoyable.

Karate training helps develop self-confidence and teaches control which helps “shy” children become more assertive. Karate also teaches self-discipline which helps more boisterous children learn how to control their energy and channel it in a positive way.

One of the key points that is stressed to the children is that they are only allowed to practise Karate at home, if their parents or guardian’s allow them to and at the Karate class with us.

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• Competition

Competition can present some great benefits but it is a small determining factor in developing good overall Karate skills.

We emphasise the mastery of fundamental physical and attitude skills first, offering extracurricular activities to those who wish to participate, with competition being one of those activities.

Students who wish to compete are able to compete regionally, nationally and internationally and special classes are often taught for the competition focussed to help them develop the necessary skills to compete.

Students can compete in Kumite and Kata in both individual and team events.

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• Courses

We provide access to a number of highly acclaimed national and international instructors. Students are encouraged to train on external courses to assimilate new knowledge and information, not just in Karate but in other disciplines such as Tai Chi or Yoga. From time to time we will invite external instructors to teach at the club to share their experiences with us.

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• Licencing

All new students must take out a licence on their third lesson. This provides a licence book for their grading records plus annual insurance with Karate England, the governing body.

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• Cost

All new students must take out a licence on their third lesson. This provides a licence book for their grading records plus annual insurance with Karate England, the governing body.

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• Why Shin Gi Tai Karate

Shin Gi Tai Karate Club has experienced instructors with many years experience of teaching high quality Karate to people of all ages from children of 4 years old to adults of 70+ years.

Our style of Karate is suitable for all ages. The challenge can be hard work and energetic for the younger more physical student or more about the development of good motor skills and co-ordination for children through to retaining suppleness and body condition for the more mature student. All students develop new skills, co-ordination and rhythm and the longer a student trains in Karate the more challenging it gets, with movements having hidden meanings and applications.

Above all our Karate is fun, for student and instructor alike, if we enjoy Karate we all learn better.

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• Our Credentials

All new students must take out a licence on their third lesson. This provides a licence book for their grading records plus annual insurance with Karate England, the governing body.

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• Training Times

Adults (Mixed)

Ladies

Children

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For details of our class schedules please click here