Classes Offered:

 

4-7 Year Old Class:  For the Youngster in the family.  These classes are geared towards teaching basic concepts as well as dojo behavior.  Such skills include listening, working together, and proper courtesy to instructors, fellow students and parents.  Beginner and Intermediate classes are offered at this age level to allow students to fit in according to their progress.

 

Junior Classes 8-12 Years Old: The older kids enjoy the rapid more demanding pace of the Juniors classes.  In these classes we begin to focus more on conditioning and more precise application of techniques.  We also introduce the formal exercises called katas, and the students gain experience in sparring and tournament competition if they so desire.  The advanced juniors classes offer Okinawan Kobudo weapons at the higher belt ranks, and the developing students help to train the under belts as a part of their karate instruction.

 

Adult Class Ages 13 and up:  The widest range of ages, builds and experience is found in the diversity of the adult classes.  Some adult class members are in their early teens while others are working dads and moms.  Some of our Adult class members are approaching grandparent status!  Classes are tailored to bring out the best in each type of student, those who enjoy sparring have the opportunity to “kick up their heels” with others of like mind, while some of the older students get their maximum enjoyment from working self-defense, kata or kobudo.  Whatever the interest, adult students find plent of variety and loads of fun in these classes!

Our 4-7 Year old Class!

           Working with younger students offers a unique set of challenges and opportunities.  It is typical for kids this young to have a very short attention span.  They also tend not to listen sometimes and lack the focus of older students.  But what they lack in other ways, they more than make up for with unbridled enthusiasm, and they generally display tremendous amounts of energy.  They love to kick, jump, roll and move around.  These kids classes accommodate these characteristics and capitalize on that energy.  Though these classes are necessarily shorter, due to the attention span and rapid tiring a workout can produce, our students are still put through the paces in varied and interesting classes.

           There is an emphasis on listening and following directions. Our kids class includes a lot of kicks, rolls and jumps and is very aerobic.  Students learn the upper body basics as well as the basic kicks taught in Isshinryu.  As time progresses they also are taught basic sparring

What do our Kids Classes Provide?

 

           The Teaching of proper dojo courtesy and self discipline.  Don’t hit anyone to hurt them and to stop when told To stop.

           A healthy exercise period that emphasizes flexibility and strengthening.  It’s a naturay, healthy outlet for the naturally abundant energy that comes from youth.

           Students learn self respect, as well as respect for others.

Our Juniors Class– for older kids ages 8-13

           The Juniors classes are more advanced, catering to young students in the 8-13 year old bracket.

           There is a beginners level class for those just starting out.  Everyone starts out with a white belt (once they have a karate uniform.)  The name used for the karate uniform is the “gi.” (pronounced “ghee.”)

           Prospective students can start classes without purchasing a gi, and oftentimes are encouraged to do so, until they and their parents know that this is something they want to continue to do.

           What to Expect

 

           The first few classes with the beginners class are spent familiarizing the students with the dojo rules and new terminology.

           Each class includes some workout practice, including things like jumping jacks, sit-ups and push-ups, and a variety of kicks, blocks and punches.

           Variety is the order of the day, so it is rare than any two classes are identical.  The order of what is done is varied, as well as the actual activities themselves.  Some nights the juniors get to spar (as seen below) and some nights they concentrate on kata or self defense.

Limited Contact Sparring

 

           Students tend to enjoy testing their new skills and knowledge in supervised classroom sparring.

             Sensei sometimes spars with the students and often pairs up students with similar builds and experience levels.

What do Juniors Gain from Their Classes?

 

           They are provided a fair amount of physical exercise for strength and flexibility training.

 

           They learn the basic Isshinryu strikes, blocks, kicks and self defense techniques.

 

           They gain an introduction to kata, the formal exercises that teach movement in combinations, the traditional Way that the basic techniques, and hidden meanings behind them have been passed down from teacher to student for generations.

 

           They learn self control, and gain self confidence with each new thing they learn to do, oftentimes surprising themselves at their new found capabilities.

 

The Adult Class– Isshinryu for ages 13 and up

 

           Adult classes offer a range of activities.  Classes usually begin with warm-ups, stretches, calisthenics, and the 15 upper body basics and 9 basic kicks found in Isshinryu.

           Not everyone will be able to do all of the exercises at first, and new students are encouraged to pace themselves and gradually work into the activities.  For example, if you can’t do all 30 sit-ups, then do as many as you can and then raise your head and shoulders as much as you can for the remainder, or until you can continue.  Karate is not a race, it is instead a journey of perseverance.  “The Path up the mountain is steep, not steep, not a mountain.”

           Students learn basic self-defense techniques and practice kata and sparring.

Working Together in Groups

 

           One of the most helpful parts of the adult class is when students get to work together and understand by watching what they are doing.

           The term used for a classmate who participates in a demonstration of technique is “uki” which literally means partner.  There is a trust relationship between all class members to neither do anything to intentionally harm anyone, nor to allow themselves to be harmed.  Safety is a prime consideration when working together to learn techniques.

Dedication and Attendance

 

           As with anything worth doing, it must be worth doing well.  That said, not everyone will be able to make all three adult classes every week.  That’s okay, but students are encouraged to come to as many as they can, while respecting other roles and responsibilities in life.  We have students who come weekly from Wilmington, NC, and some from Burlington NC both of which are more than two hour drives one way!

           Students living only a few miles can draw inspiration from the level of dedication demonstrated by these students.

 

           Note:  Sensei Cunningham drove 47 miles (each way) to study under Chuck Chau in Mississippi and did so for several years to attain his black belt.  Upon moving to NC, Sensei travelled to Jacksonville NC, (a 2 hour trip each way) in order to continue his training!