1. Where do you train and at what times?
A. We train at the Wigginton recreation hall on the village street in Wigginton (See map).
Our training times are 7pm to 9pm on Monday and Thursday.
2. Can anyone turn up and train, even if they aren't a member?
A. Yes. If you are a total beginner or a black belt from another club, you are welcome to
come down and train with us. There is no obligation to join the club and if you are a
beginner, you can give it a go for a few nights and see if you like it.
3. How much does it cost?
A. Current price is £2.00 a night (£1.50 for children under 16) although we do
encourage monthly payments at £15 for adults (£10 for children). To become an annual
member of the club costs £5 for adults (£3 for children). Membership is necessary in
order to grade. For more details, please click here.
4. I've never done any martial arts before. Do you take complete beginners?
Are there any age restrictions?
A. We take absolute beginners and people who have done martial arts before. Due to
the nature of Karate, and the self discipline and physical contact involved, we do have a
minimum age of 8 years old.
5. Do you need to be very fit in order to do Karate?
A. To do Karate well, you need to be fit. However, if you are a beginner and not very fit,
you will become fit by training with us. The training itself is fairly demanding but most
people will have no problems. However, if you are unsure you should seek advice from
your GP.
6. I don't have a Karate suit, do i need to buy one before I can train? If so,
where can i get one?
A. No. You don't need a Karate suit (a Gi) in order to train if you are a beginner. If you do
decide to buy one then you will be able to purchase one from a good sports shop or on
the Internet. Alternatively, there is an option to buy a suit from one of the Selby club
instructors who visits our club every few weeks. Usually on a Thursday.
7. Do I need to train twice a week?
A. You don't have to train twice a week, although we recommend it in order to progress
through the belts. Of course, the more often you train, the quicker you will progress and
the quicker your body will adapt to karate.
8. Can I compete in competitions?
A. Yes. The IJKA regularly hold competitions both national and international. In addition,
we often have local competitions between the three clubs in the area (York, Haxby &
Wigginton and Selby).
9. Is there full contact in training, am i likely to get hurt?
A. In training, we use control when sparring which means, effectively, we pull our
punches and kicks and don't fully extend. However, using control does not mean not
hitting. Any strikes to the stomach area are expected to make contact with a measured
degree of control and the person being hit will tense in order to avoid being hurt. This is
done to control breathing and to strengthen the body. Protective accessories such as
gum shields and chest guards can be worn although for training, it is probably not
necessary. In competition, such items are mandatory along with sparring mitts. I would
add that karate is a martial art, we are teaching you how to fight! Injury is always a
possibility and if you study karate, you should expect to get hit occasionally.
10. How long does it take to get to black belt?
A. You are allowed to grade every three months and there are ten grades to get through
to become a black belt. Therefore, it is possible to get to black belt within two and a half
years. However, it is much more likely to take around three and a half years, with regular
training, a lot of sweat and hard work.
A. We train at the Wigginton recreation hall on the village street in Wigginton (See map).
Our training times are 7pm to 9pm on Monday and Thursday.
2. Can anyone turn up and train, even if they aren't a member?
A. Yes. If you are a total beginner or a black belt from another club, you are welcome to
come down and train with us. There is no obligation to join the club and if you are a
beginner, you can give it a go for a few nights and see if you like it.
3. How much does it cost?
A. Current price is £2.00 a night (£1.50 for children under 16) although we do
encourage monthly payments at £15 for adults (£10 for children). To become an annual
member of the club costs £5 for adults (£3 for children). Membership is necessary in
order to grade. For more details, please click here.
4. I've never done any martial arts before. Do you take complete beginners?
Are there any age restrictions?
A. We take absolute beginners and people who have done martial arts before. Due to
the nature of Karate, and the self discipline and physical contact involved, we do have a
minimum age of 8 years old.
5. Do you need to be very fit in order to do Karate?
A. To do Karate well, you need to be fit. However, if you are a beginner and not very fit,
you will become fit by training with us. The training itself is fairly demanding but most
people will have no problems. However, if you are unsure you should seek advice from
your GP.
6. I don't have a Karate suit, do i need to buy one before I can train? If so,
where can i get one?
A. No. You don't need a Karate suit (a Gi) in order to train if you are a beginner. If you do
decide to buy one then you will be able to purchase one from a good sports shop or on
the Internet. Alternatively, there is an option to buy a suit from one of the Selby club
instructors who visits our club every few weeks. Usually on a Thursday.
7. Do I need to train twice a week?
A. You don't have to train twice a week, although we recommend it in order to progress
through the belts. Of course, the more often you train, the quicker you will progress and
the quicker your body will adapt to karate.
8. Can I compete in competitions?
A. Yes. The IJKA regularly hold competitions both national and international. In addition,
we often have local competitions between the three clubs in the area (York, Haxby &
Wigginton and Selby).
9. Is there full contact in training, am i likely to get hurt?
A. In training, we use control when sparring which means, effectively, we pull our
punches and kicks and don't fully extend. However, using control does not mean not
hitting. Any strikes to the stomach area are expected to make contact with a measured
degree of control and the person being hit will tense in order to avoid being hurt. This is
done to control breathing and to strengthen the body. Protective accessories such as
gum shields and chest guards can be worn although for training, it is probably not
necessary. In competition, such items are mandatory along with sparring mitts. I would
add that karate is a martial art, we are teaching you how to fight! Injury is always a
possibility and if you study karate, you should expect to get hit occasionally.
10. How long does it take to get to black belt?
A. You are allowed to grade every three months and there are ten grades to get through
to become a black belt. Therefore, it is possible to get to black belt within two and a half
years. However, it is much more likely to take around three and a half years, with regular
training, a lot of sweat and hard work.
Frequently asked questions
| 'The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness' Principle 14 of karate-do |
| HAXBY SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB |
| HAXBY SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB |
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