Questions and Answers
To some of the more common questions asked (e-mailed)....

Q. Do I have to be in top physical shape to study karate?
A. No. Think rather of getting in shape as you train karate.

Q. I have a disability / injury that makes some physical movement painful or imposable. Do you have special classes?
A. No. In most cases you can still train in a regular karate class. Let the instructor know of your injury / disability ahead of time. In most all cases portions of class can be tailored by the instructor to meet your individual needs. Example; While every one else in the class is working a round-house kick, perhaps it would be best for you to be working a front kick as not to stress your injured ankle. Don't let injury keep you from training karate because you can not do a few things. Adapt and work harder on the things that you can do. Please consult your doctor if the injury is severe. The last thing we would ever want is for you to do more harm to yourself.

Q. (Or rather a statement) My child has been disobedient / doing poorly in school. We are going to keep him/her from going to karate for a while as punishment.
A. Please don't. I myself am a parent. Admittedly, my children never came with an instruction manual. But here's my humble advise. This is not soccer, baseball, or television time. Karate is taught in a very structured environment. While they are in class they must do as they are told, show proper respect, and heed the advise of others. We have no tolerance for malicious behavior. We can, and in fact will work with you the parents if you feel disciplinary action is required. Look. If you take Johnny / Suzy out of karate what will they be doing with that extra time? Television, video games, or AOL Chat.

Q. What is more important? Karate, homework, or choirs?
A. We have always stressed the importance of all three in this order; When you get home from school do your homework. Next do your choirs. Then after all that is done try and spend at least 10 minutes practicing karate (kata, basics, techniques).

Q. I have a 2nd degree black belt in kempo, akido, etc. I would like to train Shotokan. What rank would I be in your school?
A. This is a topic that comes up often. This decision is made on individual basis. Please keep in mind that some of the lower rank you would be training with do have higher ranks in other martial arts. To explain it better; If I was to train at another Shotokan dojo I would enter class humbly for the first time wearing my white belt. As their training / promotion requirements would presumably be different. If after the sensei in that school says it fit for me to wear my black belt or another rank, then, and only then, would I do so. This was taught me when I first started training as a way of showing respect for the ways of those I was to train with, and humility within myself.
   

Q. I see you don't have membership dues listed on your website. Do you require several months pre-payment to join?
A. No. I believe this is in reference to a contract. We do not and never will require members to sign a contract or pre-pay months in advance. In fact I would discourage any from per-paying several months in advance, as this money can not, and will not be refunded should you decide to stop training with us. Dues here are cheap and the policy simple. Pay for a month - Train for a month.

Q. If I start taking karate today how long would it be till you gave me my black belt?
A. This Question is more common than not. It is almost entirely up to you. We rank test every 3-4 months. there are 10 kyu ranks. Lowest rank being 10th kyu. You may test every 3-4 months till you reach the rank of 4th kyu. Then you will be allowed to test every 6-7 months. Should you fail a rank test then it will take longer than if you had not. And, Yes. Many have not passed rank test. Hum.. And as far as giving you your black belt or any rank. No one will give it to you. You will earn it.

Q. I found your website. Do you place personal information about students on your pages. Age, address, etc.
A. No. ( You didn't find any here. Did you?) And I never will. As for being illegal in most states depending upon age, I view it as immoral to do so without consent. Further more we do post pictures from tests and events. All of these pictures come from members. Each is watermarked with copyright info, and, or our logo. If you find a picture of yourself or your child you do not want posted within this site please e-mail me and it will be promptly removed without question. If you right click the picture and select properties this will list the file name. The name would be a great help to me in finding it. Also note that in the years this site has been up I have never received a complaint.

Q. Ich studiere shotokan der Hamburg. Ich bin Arbeit in den Vereinigten Staaten für einige Monate könnte Sie sendete, das mich, gefallen Mitgliedschaft Papiere.
A. Amazing how much foreign e-mail I get. Although I enjoy hearing from dojo and people in other counties, please write to me in English. It is the only language I am well versed in, and would help us communicate a great deal better. As my understanding of the above was that he/she wanted a application to study a hamburger from our dojo. Then do something with it in the United States for a year.

Q. At what age can my child start studying karate?
A. We would prefer 6 year old students and up. As children develop social skills at individual paces there have been, and can be exceptions to this rule. These exceptions are few.