SHOTOKAN JKA KARATE
 

No- our karate classes in Watford & Luton are designed for complete beginners.We guide you step-by-step in a friendly supportive environment, regardless of your present fitness or experience.

A.Not at all.We welcome Kids and Adults of all ages. Many of our students in our watford & Luton classes begin karate later on in life and progress successfully.

Yes. Our Shotokan JKA karate classes in Watford & Luton are excellent for children from the age of 6 upwards, helping them build confidence,discipline,focus,and respect in a structured environment,at the same time teaching them essential life protection self defence skills.

Comfortable sportswear is perfect to start with. A karate uniform (GI) worth over £50 will be given to you for FREE on joining,in our Luton or Watford dojo's, if you decide to continue with us.

Yes — you’re in good hands! Our instructors, coaches, and teaching assistants are qualified to teach karate in Watford and Luton. They’re supervised by our head coach, Mr Shamim Aktar, 7th Dan, who has over 55 years of karate experience learning with the very best masters & who oversees their training in all aspects of coaching. Senior coaches are also DBS checked and Child Protection certified, so you can train in a safe, supportive environment.

Not at all. Your fitness will improve naturally through training,and you can work at your own pace. Karate will gradually improve your fitness as you go in our Luton & Watford locations. Your starting point matters less than the effort you put in. In our classes, we focus on correct execution of basics and correct form improves your physical and mental performance, making it easy for beginners to train alongside experienced individuals. If you're less fit, your progress will be more moderate at first, but as your fitness improves through practice, so will your pace of advancement.

A typical karate practice session in both the Watford & Luton dojo usually begins with a comprehensive warm-up, followed by the various training exercises. The exercises are divided into three main categories: kihon (basic techniques), in which you learn the basic blocks, punches, kicks, stances, etc. kata (patterns/forms), in which you practice and physically remember the various kihon put together in a fighting sequence; and kumite (controlled sparring), where your kihon and kata techniques are matched against a real training partner. As your skill level increases, so will the difficulty and degree of the exercises. Of course, there will also be times when you are taught theory, dojo rules, etiquette, and the more philosophical aspects of karate too. There is regular testing every month on the material & skills learned & covered during that month,and also the main regular grading examination every four months for your next belt progression..there are 12 to 15 belts to progress before the first degree Black Belt. After that there are progressive degrees of Dans or of advanced training Black Belts.

Yes, but beginners are always supported and taught at their own level of progression within their classes in Watford and Luton classes..

Most beginners and intermediate level students train 2 times a week, but you can train more upto 3 times a week in your local area, and if you are very keen and can travel you can train upto 5 days in two locations,especially once you get to an advanced belt level.

Yes. Your training is structured, supervised, and built around control, discipline, and safe practice. You’ll train at a pace that suits your level, with clear guidance in every class.

Our students progresss through coloured belt belts every 3/4 months,in their dojo,as they develop their skills, eventually working towards black belt level. Our grading system is internationally recognised by the JKA world-wide.

This varies, but typically in both of our dojos, Watford & Luton takes several years of consistent training,dedication,and progression to achieve your first degree black belt or Shodan, the first step up the rung of the ladder. This is the norm everywhere.

Yes,students have the opportunity to grade regularly and track their progress both in Watford and Luton dojo. Since Mr Shamim Aktar 7th Dan is a recognised instructor/examiner with the JKA, Your gradings with us will automatically be recognised internationally by the Japan Karate Association (JKA).

Absolutely. If you’ve trained before, you can join at the right level for you. We’ll help you refine your basics, sharpen your technique, and keep your progress moving forward.

Yes. We provide structured training for intermediate and advanced students, including kata and kumite refinement and higher level fundamental techniques of Kihon, Kumite & Kata in our BBC ( Black Belt Club ) training .

We teach the original traditional Shotokan "Budo" Karate of the JKA WF correctly, with a focus on developing strong dynamic fundamentals and discipline of mind,as taught by all original leading masters of the JKA.  We also compete in sport & traditional karate tournaments organised by the JKA WF.

You’ll learn practical self-defence as part of your Shotokan training. That means awareness, control, strong basics, and techniques you can use with confidence in a real situation.

We run classes three times a week in the Watford area and three times a week in the Luton area. New students are welcome to try a free trial class before committing to training at least twice weekly.

Simply contact us to book your free trial class - we will guide you from there.You can book your free trial by calling : 07956 553417 - 10am - 5pm or leaving a text message & a member of our admin team will contact you back.

Your fees depend on whether you start as a beginner or an advanced student. Typically your head instructor will explain how our classes work after your first visit /free trial.

Our Black Belt programme is a structured pathway for students who want to go further and refine their skills beyond limit . You’ll build strong basics, sharp technique, fitness, confidence, and much more..with clear goals at every stage and guidance from Mr Shamim Aktar, 7th Dan's 55 year approach to JKA Shotokan Karate.

Yes. We train children, teens, and adults in the most suitable class setup for their age and level. That helps you stay safe, learn well, and get the right challenge from day one.

Train regularly, work on your basic fundamental techniques, kata, & kumite as explained to you, paying attention carefully in class. Your instructor will tell you when you’re ready and what to improve, so you can step into grading with confidence.