Information For Students

The hardest part of any Martial Arts School is the first night. To turn up for the first night not knowing what to expect is something that every Martial Artist in the world has experienced. That feeling of awkwardness and nerves is something that you just have to do and get past and not let it stop you joining a club. If by reading this section we can , in some way, inform you what to expect, then hopefully your first night training will be a little less daunting. Remember you can always call the numbers provided in Contact Details or send us an e-mail if you need any further advice.

When do I go?

If it is your first night you just simply turn up. Check out what the Class Times are and arrive ten minutes early so we can have a talk. It is always better to turn up with the intention of doing a class, rather turning up to take a look. Looking from the side lines just makes it more daunting. You can turn up on any day or attend any class.

What to Wear

To turn up for the first time just wear a normal Track Suit . The Uniform for our school is a Black Karate Suit with a Black T-Shirt underneath, however, you are not expected to wear this on your first night. After about four weeks of training you would be expected to start wearing the Karate Suit which our instructor can get for you.

Foot Wear

On your first night just wear a normal pair of trainers. Karate is done barefooted and once you have your Karate Suit you will be expect to take off the trainers. Again this will be after the first couple of weeks training.

Bowing

Yes, you will be expected to bow. It is a Martial Arts Class after all. Bowing and showing respect to your instructor and fellow students has to be learnt like every other aspect of Martial Arts. However, you are not expected to instinctively know what to do for the first couple of weeks. You will be taught how to do it properly and after that you will be expected to do it.

What will the class be like?

The class will always start with some light warm up and some light stretching exercise. From there we progress to hand and foot exercise with more stretching. Then we normally do basic Kenpo movements combining blocking, kicking and punching. From there we progress to technique and form. Over all the class will incorporate fitness, stretching and Martial Art skill.

Fitness

Like every other fitness class or sport, we all have to start somewhere. On your first couple of nights you will be encouraged to "take it easy". Your own personnel fitness is something that will grow at your own speed. The class is taught at the instructors level of fitness because a high standard needs to be maintained which students try to achieve. Again it is important to say that you will be encouraged to take it easy and train to your level of fitness.

Fighting/Sparring

One of the main things that turn people away Martial Arts is the idea that they are going to walk into a club and be expected to start fighting straight away. While this is true of some styles of Martial Arts nothing could be further from the truth in a Kenpo Karate School. When you join a Kenpo School first you will not be allowed fight. Not until you have completed several months of training. And once you do start to spar it is preformed under restrictions and with protective clothing. As you progress in your Martial Art so will your sparring, but it is done slowly and safely until your are proficient enough to control your fighting environment.

General

Overall we teach Karate in a positive and friendly manner, we are there for the enjoyment. We take our Kenpo Karate very seriously and so will you once you have experienced our classes. Our instructors are there for support and advice, nobody ever feels inadequate or unable to ask questions. We all train at our own level and strive to learn more each class.

Remember you can always call the numbers provided in Contact Details or send us an e-mail if you need any further advice.