East Oxford Shotokan karate club

Traditional Shotokan karate

Shotokan karate is suitable for everyone regardless of age or sex. Karate exercise and training methods improve and maintain good circulation. It is a perfect aerobic exercise.

Who are we?

East Oxford Shotokan karate club is a friendly club who welcomes everyone over the age of 8 years to train with us, regardless of experience and ability.
Just show up on the day wearing loose clothing (or a proper Gi if you have one). If you have keen interest to learn karate, we are equally keen to teach you! There is no elitism, penalism or full contact fights in our club. We train ourselves, for ourselves and nothing else. All we ask is that you are respectful to your fellow students and do your best.
East Oxford Shotokan karate club is a part of IMASA, a large national martial arts association.

If you have any questions you can't find the answer to here, or if want to know more about the club, have a look at the contact page.

P.S. This is one of the few places in life and society where you are asked to SHOUT out loud every now and then. And what can be more fun than that?

What is Karate?

Kara-te (Kanji: 空手) is Japanese for "empty hand". "Kara" means empty (like in karaoke - empty orchestra) and "Te" means hand. All practise in the dojo is done without weapons or tools. Just with your empty hands. (And feet... And elbows... And knees...)

Karate is very disciplined and all students must treat the art and fellow students with respect. It is especially important to remember that karate is for self defence and not something to show off or seek confrontation with! You train to improve yourself and not to impress others.
The true and only fight is inside you - To carry on despite it being tough and sometimes repetitive. But that is how you condition your body and teach your muscle memory so you become better at the techniques. Both in body and spirit.

Karate is not a short term commitment. You will need to train regularly to get the most from your training and improve your karate. Never skip a trainng session other than for illness, annual holidays or on bank holidays.
It might be hard to get up out of the sofa and go to the training, but you will feel good and energised after the session!

Why "traditional"?

The term "traditional" simply means that we practice karate as an (martial) art, not as a sport. We don't train or compete for quick points, our only and biggest enemy lies within ourselves. No-one is as critical towards your own progress and skill as yourself.

Mastering the art of Shotokan karate is a long term commitment. There is always more to learn, even when it comes to the simplest technique!

What is "Shotokan"?

Shotokan (Kanji: 松濤館)is a style of karate developed by the great and late Gichin Funakoshi early in the last century. Funakoshi grew up on Okinawa, where it is said karate has its roots. There he learned karate from the old masters before him. In 1922 the Japanese Ministry of Education invited Gichin Funakoshi to Tokyo to give a karate demonstration, and he then stayed in mainland Japan and taught karate for many years. He developed the style Shotokan from what he had learnt and was always ready to pass his knowledge on. That is the spirit and legacy we are trying to live up to. If you want to know more, please have a look under the section Recommendations.

Why traditional Shotokan karate?

It is a Japanese martial art and differs from many westernised versions of Karate, because it remains firmly rooted in a strong martial arts tradition.
It is more than just the mastering of defensive techniques. The training is mental as well and should teach what the ancient warriors knew: Discipline, confidence and control.
Shotokan karate is ideal for children. It teaches self-discipline, confidence and the art of self-defence. For overactive children, it can channel excess energy into a constructive learning process. Training engages all of a child’s muscle groups and helps him or her to develop grace, co-ordination, balance and timing.