What to Expect at Your First Karate Class
The hard part is the door.
Here is exactly what happens, so none of it is a surprise.
Start to finish
Before you leave
Call (718) 645-2402. Times change, and we would rather you arrive to the right class than the wrong one.
Arriving
Ten minutes early. Someone will meet you, show you where to change, and point you at whoever is teaching.
In the class
You line up with everyone else. Beginners train alongside senior students rather than being kept separate, and the lower rank sets the pace.
Afterwards
You go home and think about it. Your first class is free. Nobody will chase you.
The things people worry about
- "I have never done this before"
- You do not need any experience to start. We welcome students of any skill level, starting from zero.
- "I am not fit enough"
- Fitness, strength, endurance, coordination and concentration are what the training builds. They are not what it requires up front.
- "Will I have to fight someone"
- Not on your first day. Sparring is part of adult training here — Thursday is motion study sparring and Friday is harder — but the lower rank sets the pace, and nothing is thrown at a beginner unprepared.
- "I do not have a uniform"
- Students bring their own uniform. Black judo or karate uniforms are preferred. You do not need one to try a class - wear something you can move in.
- "Will I be signed up for something"
- No. There have never been contracts here, and there is no sales process. The prices are on the site so you never have to ask.
- "Can I just watch"
- Yes. Turn up, train or watch, and decide afterwards. Parents are welcome to watch any class.
What kind of dojo this is
We pride ourselves in teaching U.S.A. Goju, the way Grandmaster Peter Urban taught us. Our dojo is a house of discipline where all martial artists, who want to train hard, are welcomed.
The dojo's own words
Frequently asked questions
What happens when I walk in for the first time?+
Call ahead, arrive about ten minutes early, and someone will meet you, show you where to change, and put you in the right class.
Will I have to spar on my first day?+
No. Sparring is part of adult training - Thursday is motion study sparring and Friday is harder - but the lower rank sets the pace and nothing is thrown at a beginner unprepared.
Do I need to be fit to start?+
No. Students start from zero. Fitness, strength, endurance, coordination and concentration are things the training builds, not things it requires up front.
Can parents watch?+
Yes. Parents are welcome to watch any class.