FAQ

No, you can get into shape as you train.

Why should you take a shower every day? Why should you brush your teeth every day? Not only does cleaning the dojo make the space in which we learn clean and nice smelling, but it also illustrates our respect for each other and the dojo. Additionally, during this time of COVID-19, having a clean dojo means having a clean mat and clean equipment and doing our own part to prevent transmission of the virus.

No, you are never too old to begin martial arts training. There may be some harder aspects of the Kyokushin style that you choose not to take part in, but the health benefits of movement and exercise can be realized no matter what path in karate you take.

In general, we try to ask that students be at least 6 years old before starting classes. Depending upon how capable they are of following directions and not overly distracting class, children as young as 4 may join, especially if they have an older sibling attending class as well.

For most students, at least two 1 hour classes per week are recommended, along with practicing at home. As you advance in rank, you may wish to attend more classes, or stay after class for a little extra work.

In Kyokushin Karate, it typically takes at least 5 years to reach black belt.

I am not qualified enough in other styles to feel comfortable teaching them, but would very much love to invite those who are experienced in other styles to help introduce some of their training into our classes. If you are curious about a particular style, please let me know, and I'll see what we can come up with!

Kyokushin is a style of karate focused on the concept of self-discovery. Some of the ways students of Kyokushin achieve this discovery is by strengthening ourselves, in both mind and body, as well as improving our character by continually challenging many of our self-imposed limits and finding our own capabilities through rigorous training. ​ To achieve this goal, we train with a focus on the three Ks: Kihon (Basic techniques) Kata (Forms against imaginary opponents) Kumite (Sparring against others) As part of the training, particularly for the adult classes, the understanding is that you are able to recognize when you must sit down due to the level of exertion. As my Shihan would say: "sit down before you fall down". At more advanced belts, we also practice tameshiwari (also known as "breaking things"): boards, bricks, rocks, bats, whatever you want to work on!

That's okay! The style we practice is usually a pretty high impact style, but that doesn't mean you have to take part in all of the body conditioning we do. For any student, if you have any injuries or limitations, please just let us know! We want to be able to allow every body to work within its limits. Your own limits are the ones you need to worry about, not everyone else's.

Can you? The only person who can answer that is YOU! If you choose to, we will work with you and help prepare you for the semi or full contact tournaments that are held frequently throughout each year.