What martial art do you teach?

​Our school teaches a traditional way of Karate called Shorin Ryu. This system places emphasis on effective self-defence, optimal human movement and continued personal development – somewhat different to mainstream and more contemporary sport-based styles. Our school is directly affiliated with one of the oldest and most highly respected dojo on Okinawa (the Birthplace of Karate), making it somewhat unique here in Cumbria.

What fitness classes do you offer?

​In addition to our martial arts classes, we also offer a range of fitness classes including Pilates, Enduro-Strike and Kettlebells. These may be enjoyed as an excellent supplement to regular karate training, or as stand-alone classes.

Are your instructors qualified and experienced?

​Yes, all our instructors are highly qualified and experienced. As well as their technical qualifications, they also hold up to date emergency first aid, safeguarding, and DBS certifications where appropriate. We provide high quality training, unwavering support and safe guidance for all our valued members.

Do you provide classes for beginners?

Absolutely! We have classes specifically designed for beginners, where our instructors focus on teaching the fundamentals, ensuring a comfortable and progressive learning environment. New beginners are welcome to join us anytime!

Can I try a class before signing up for a membership?

Of course…we offer totally free trial classes for all new students so that you can meet us and experience our training first-hand to see if it suits your needs and interests.

What is the duration of each class?

​The duration of our classes can vary depending on the type of class, but are normally 45 minutes (for juniors), 60 minutes (for adults and teens) and 90 minutes (for more advanced members).

How much do classes cost?

Our tuition fees vary depending on the type of tuition package you opt for. We have different packages available to suit different needs and preferences. Feel free to contact us and we'll identify the most suitable tuition package for you.

Are there any age restrictions for joining the classes?

We offer classes for all age groups, starting from children as young as five years old, teenagers, to adults of any age. Our instructors are very experienced in tailoring the training to meet the specific needs and abilities of each class.

​We recommend starting children from around 5-years just to make sure that they have the necessary balance, motor control and body awareness required for beginning martial arts.

​We don't consider our karate as a sport, so there's no retirement age! As such, we have members over the age of 60 and a couple who are over 70 and still going strong...so there really is no excuse!

Whether karate or fitness - as long as you have no medical restrictions or injuries that prevent you from taking part then you're very welcome to come and try our classes.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

For most classes, we provide the necessary equipment. We recommend bringing comfortable workout attire and a bottle of water to your first taster class. All our karate members will receive a new karate suit and white belt upon joining, along with everything else they’ll need to get started. 

Is there a contract or long-term commitment required?

​We don’t believe in long-term commitments or contracts and instead prefer to 'tie you in' by making our classes a wonderful experience! We offer very flexible membership packages, so simply choose the option that best suits your needs. All we ask for is 30-days’ notice should you ever decide to cancel.

Can I join the classes if I have no prior martial arts or fitness experience?

Absolutely! Our classes are open to individuals of all skill levels, including those with zero prior experience. Our instructors will guide you every step of the way and help you progress at your own pace.

Are there any discounts available for multiple family members?

​Yes, we offer ongoing family discounts for multiple family members who wish to join our classes. Please feel free to ask about our family membership options when joining.

Do you offer seminars and workshops?

​Yes – We normally teach several seminars throughout the year, as well as self-defence and personal safety courses. We also occasionally invite other teachers from around the World to come and share their experience with us.

Additionally, we host an annual weekend training camp, plus we also provide an amazing opportunity for members to travel with us to different countries, including Japan!

​All our members enjoy special discounts and priority bookings for any events we host. 

Do you offer private lessons?

Yes, we can provide a limited number of private lesson opportunities for individuals who would like to enhance their regular class training, prefer more personalised attention, or have specific martial ats or fitness training goals. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

What about individuals with disabilities?

​We strive to make our classes as inclusive and accessible as possible for individuals with disabilities. We can support adapted training and modifications to accommodate certain needs. Please let us know your specific requirements, and we will be happy to discuss how to best to work with you.

Can I temporarily suspend my membership if needed?

​Yes, we understand that circumstances may arise where you are unable to attend classes for a specific period. So, we do offer options to suspend your membership temporarily. Please contact us for more information on our membership suspension policy.

What measures are in place to ensure the well-being of students?

The well-being of our members is paramount. As such, we have implemented various measures to help achieve this. These include exacting policies and standards, highly qualified instructors, proper equipment, venue audits, and adherence to safety protocols.

Additionally, we promote a respectful environment with an emphasis on community spirit and support. We also do lots of fund raising, helping to support local charities, good causes and member opportunities. 

In short, we pride ourselves in looking after our members and treating them like part of the family.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my membership if my needs change?

Yes, we understand that your needs may change over time and our tuition packages are very flexible. You can upgrade or downgrade your membership anytime based on your preferences and requirements. Just contact us and we’ll make all the necessary changes.

Are there opportunities for socialising outside of classes?

​Yes – we enjoy socialising and many of our members have made lifelong friends here. We organise social events and community gatherings for our members to connect with each other outside of the classes. These events foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for building relationships with like-minded individuals.

I have a current health issue. Can I still take part?

It all depends on what the issue is.  Before you undertake your first class with us we'll ask you to complete a pre-activity readiness questionnaire that will determine whether or not you should consult a doctor.  Please feel free to contact us to discuss any specific health issues or injuries beforehand. ​

I'm not the atheletic type. Does this matter?

Not at all.  In fact, we've found that those who are not into sports can often find their passion in martial arts. Furthermore, our fitness classes can be used either on their own, or in conjunction to help support another physical pursuit.

Generally speaking, our classes are suitable for everyone!​

Do I need to be fit before starting?

It's our job to help you progress, so whatever fitness level you are now is good enough to start.

As you progress the physical demands gradually increase and this can have a very positive effect on your body. You can expect to become fitter, stronger and more flexible, whilst learning fantastic new skills and developing supportive friendships with some awesome people at the same time!

Every journey begins with the first step - so please don't be afraid to take that first step...we have your back!​

What about injuries?

If you currently have an injury, then please feel free to contact us to discuss before attending a taster class.

There is of course a risk of injury in any physical activity, but the risk in our fitness classes, or indeed a highly disciplined martial art such as karate is EXTREMELY LOW.

​We have lots of measures in place to ensure that all our members not only stay safe, but also have a great experience. The professional-level capabilities of our instructors, plus our standards and policies are in place to help keep the potential of injury to an absolute minimum. So you can feel entirely confident under our expert guidance.

Furthermore, because a quality martial arts or fitness program makes you more balanced, limber & flexible - it will generally leads to LESS injury in your life and may help to ease or even heal current ailments!

How long does it take to achieve black belt?

Developing skill in traditional martial arts takes time, effort and dedication. We pride ourselves on transmitting the highest quality karate training, which makes achieving a black belt in our dojo all the more special!

The most talented of our members and/or those with some prior experience may expect to reach black belt level in around 4 years (absolute minimum). The average time to achieve black belt in our dojo is normally around 5 or 6 years, based on regular training in class, plus some 'top up' training where required at home. 

Remember though - it is not the destination, but the path that holds the real riches! So we strive to provide you with the most valuable path possible towards black belt and beyond.

What are all the coloured belts for?

We use a series of coloured belts in karate to identify the various ranks as progression is made.  Beginners start with white belts and then progress to red/yellow/orange/green/blue/purple/brown, before challenging the coveted black belt.

To make the steps more manageable and enjoyable for children to learn, we also adopt a 'stripe' system for juniors only that identifies a 'half step' before they progress to the next rank.  In addition, we also have a special life-skill and achievement badge system in place so that our junior members can work on attaining specific techniques, exercises and knowledge. This is a great incentive and helps to guide them along the 'karate path'.

Members are invited to attend gradings, where they may test for their next belt.  We currently hold gradings around 3 times per year.  We make extra efforts to help support members looking to progress through the ranking system, offering guidance and mentorship where required.

Achieving a rank in our dojo is always something to be very proud of, as we never award belts that aren't fully deserved!

Will martial arts make my child more aggressive?

Certainly not!  Karate students at our dojo are much more controlled BECAUSE of their dedicated training.

​We emphasise to children how to resolve conflict peacefully and demonstrate self-control under pressure. Aggression is channelled into assertiveness, but never violence.

In addition to instilling this controlled attitude, we also empower all our members with a range of effective self-defence skills, should they ever need to resort to a physical response.   ​

How can I book a free taster class or get more information?

​You can go ahead and book a free taster class today via the button below!

To ask any questions or get more information, you are very welcome to Contact Us.

Will someone greet me when I arrive for my taster class?

Yes of course - we'll be expecting you!

If you can arrive around 5 or 10 minutes before your class is due to start, then the instructor will be waiting to greet you and introduce everyone.

If you happen to arrive a little late (or early) and another class is ongoing, then don't worry. Just walk in quietly and one of our assistants will look after you.

Are spectators allowed in class?

Yes, we generally allow and invite spectators linked to participating members, such as parents or family members. So long as all spectators remain quiet, respectful and do not impact the learning experience of our members.

But, far better than spectating...is to take part in class yourself!