Shotokan Karate

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Here at Westside Martial Arts, we teach traditional Shotokan Karate. Shotokan Karate is the modern exponent of Okinawan Karate. Its founder, Gichin Funakoshi, organized the Okinawan arts Shuri and Shori into Japanese martial arts. After the approval of the Japanese Emperor, he began teaching in the Public Schools. The students of Funakoshi Sensei named it “Shotokan”; its symbol is the tiger.


Shotokan Karate employs techniques mostly in a linear motion making it a “hard” style. Techniques such as kicks, punches, and strikes are usually at straight angles and delivered as a thrust or snapping action. Extensive blocks are taught to teach defensive techniques and to use blocks as strikes. Self-defense, takedowns, arm locks and jump kicks are also used.

Testing is not set into a fixed time frame. Students are tested when they are ready, by demonstrating they are proficient at their current level and ready to move up to the next level. However, it generally takes 3-6 months of regular practice to achieve the next ranking.

While sport competition is practiced at Westside Martial Arts, we study traditional Shotokan as taught by Japanese Karate Association (JKA) standards. Etiquette, respect and discipline are the major roles in practice. “The winning of a point is not a life long goal,” (Ray Dalke, AJKA), so why emphasize it.
Read our Shotokan Karate Info Book (PDF)
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Related links:

* Pea*censored*'s Academy of Martial Arts
* CrossFit