HARPENDEN KARATE CENTRE

Self Defence

Self Discipline

Self Respect

Speed – Strength – Stamina – Coordination – Flexibility – Balance & Power

Harpenden Karate Centre
Information - Frequently Asked Questions

Is Karate suitable for me or my child?
Karate can be practised by children as young as 5 years old and its never too late for adults to experience the benefits martial arts can bring
 
Will I get hurt?
Fighting and defence techniques are clearly explained and no one will enter into physical combat until they are ready to do so. Safety is of paramount importance to us and we ensure everyone wears protective equipment.
 
Students are given strict and detailed instructions on partner work/sparring and contact is light in our Dojo (training hall). Fighting is not a prerequisite. We wear personal protective equipment and make use of training aids such as mitts, kick bags and pad work to enable students to safely improve techniques whilst developing speed, focus and power.
 
Is Karate expensive?
After purchasing annual membership, there is an initial outlay for uniform and protective equipment (Health and Safety requirement).
There is no other outlay besides weekly lessons and quarterly grading, if you choose to advance through the belt system.
 
What do I wear?
Wear loose comfortable clothing, such as T-shirts and tracksuit pants or a Gi (uniform).
We do not wear shoes in the Dojo (training hall) and we train in bare feet.
 
Do I have to attend a formal grading?
We encourage children to enter into a competitive environment in order to gauge their progress and to test and improve techniques taught in class.  Adults can progress at their own speed.  Students must attend a minimum number of lessons in order to grade 3 times a year
 
Do I have to be fit to do Karate?
Fitness is not a prerequisite to training; it is a by-product achieved through training.
 
Can I wear my uniform and wear my belt from a previous club?
Yes.  Students would have worked hard to earn belts at previous clubs.  We would therefore ensure they were competent in our style to advance through the next corresponding belt in the Goju system
 
How do we get involved?
A simple phone call or email to book an appointment is all that is needed.
Alternatively come along to a training session and see a class in action.
Click here to see the timetable.
 
Can I have a family discount and trial lesson?

Yes. We discuss and review discount on an individual basis.  Come along or call to book a free lesson today.

Numbers

1. ICHI11. JUICHI21. NIJUICHI
2. NI12. JUNI22. NIJUNI
3. SAN13. JUSAN23. NIJUSAN
4. SHI14. JUSHI24. NIJUSHI
5. GO15. JUGO25. NIJUGO
6. ROKU16. JUROKU26. NIJUROKU
7. SHICHI17. JUSHICHI27. NIJUSHICHI
8. HACHI18. JUHACHI28. NIJUHACHI
9. KU19. JUKU29. NIJUKU
10. JU20. NIJU

30. SANJU

Body Areas

JODAN

UPPER AREA FROM THE COLLAR UPWARDS

CHUDAN

MIDDLE AREA BETWEEN THE COLLAR AND THE BELT

GEDAN

LOWER AREA FROM THE BELT DOWNWARDS

Stances

Heiko dachi

feet side by side stance

Musubi dachi

heels together, feet facing outwards 45 degrees (knot stance)

Heiko dachi

feet shoulder width and parallel

Hachiji dachi

same as above with feet turned out 45 degrees (hachi = 8, ji character, so 8 character as in Japanese Kanjii or Chinese text)

Soto hachi
dachi/uchi hachi
dachi

same as above widthwise, only feet are turned inwards

 

Shiko dachi

feet turned out from soto hachi dachi, twice shoulder width.  Like Kiba dachi in Shotokan and Wado Ryu but with feet truned out. Also known as sumo stance

Zenkutsu dachi

long front stance, 2.5 foot lengths.  Slightly shorter than some styles at 3 foot lengths but with the weight pushed forward to achieve the same striking distance with the weight behind the technique

Han zenkutsu

half = han, so half zenkutsu dachi. one foot’s length between toe and heel

heiko sanchin
dachi

feet parallel, shoulder width and with the heel of the front foot inline with the toe of the back foot

Sanchin dachi

the same as heiko sanchin dachi but with the front foot turned in slightly

Kosa dachi/juji dachi

(cross stance or ten character stance) sometimes called bensoku dachi which is a tree with a vine growing round it.  Found in Sepai kata

Saga ashi dachi

crane foot (as in the bird, not construction industry!) stance as in saifa kata

Neko dachi or
Neko ashi dachi

Cat stance or cat foot stance

Kokutsu dachi

back stance. A reversed zenkutsu dachi looking back towards your rear foot. (Different to Shotokan’s kokutsu dachi)