Karate
Adult Karate
The West Bank Karate Club is a traditional dojo which promotes the tenets of the founder of Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi. Those tenets are: seek perfection of character, endeavor to excel, be honest and forthright, respect others and develop self control.
As a non-contact style, Shotokan is the perfect martial art for individuals interested in developing self defense sills, improve balance and coordination, and increase muscle tone without injury. Our new dojo, the Movement Arts Center, is designed and built to meet all martial arts needs. The training floor is a unique 'floating system' of maple hardwood that allows maximum resilience with minimum impact to the joints. The Center is 3,800 square feet equiped with heavy bags and makiwara boards, men's and women's dressing rooms complete with showers and lockers. Karate students are encouraged to stop by for self training whenever there is open floor time. Please call ahead for the schedule.
Adult Karate Classes: New members $30 for 30 days
| Day | Time | Level/Type |
| Mon. | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Beginner |
| 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Mixed | |
| Tues. | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Advanced |
| 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Core Training | |
| Wed. | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Beginner |
| 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Mixed | |
| Thur. | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Advanced |
| Fri. | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Mixed |
| Sat. | 11:00 am - 12:15 pm | Advanced |
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Beginner |
Youth Karate Classes (Ages 6-11)
| Day | Time | Level/Type |
| Mon. | 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm | Mixed |
| Tues. | 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm | Beginner |
| Thur. | 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm | Advanced |
| Sat. | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Mixed |
First Month $55.00 NO CONTRACTS or SIGN UP FEES!
Contact us for more information
More on Shotokan Karate and Master Funakoshi
Mystery and myth have surrounded the art of Karate-do since it's introduction to the public. Originally taught to only privileged royal family or to military personal, this ancient martial art has been a topic of movies, cartoons, and magazines for decades. There are dozens of styles or "systems" of Karate. Each country has it's own martial art systems, but the word KARATE is 100% Japanese and means, "Empty Hand".
SHOTOKAN
Shotokan Karate is a system that was developed in Okiawa and brought to Japan by martial art master Gichin Funadoshi, often referred to as the father of modern Karate. He taught a combination of styles he'd learned since child hood from his Okinawan teachers, Master Itosu and Master Azato. Their teacher, Matsumura was also widely known and respected in the martial arts throughout Okinawa.
Master Funakoshi, in addition to being an extraordinary Karate man was also a sincere practitioner of Calligraphy and signed his paintings by the pen name Shoto, which is translates 'pine wave'. Funakoshi was invited to Japan in 1917 to demonstrate his Karate skills by the Ministry of Education when he was 54 years old. He stayed in Japan the rest of his life - and as he developed a dedicated following of students they named the system "Shotokan". The house of Shoto.
Karate-do: empty hand way
Funakoshi believed that Karate-do was not only an effective art of self defense, but an ancient system of self development, that if studied properly could enhance a persons well being. He taught that Karate techniques should only be used as a last resort when confronted with danger and instilled in his students the goals of patience, reasoning, calmness and self discipline.
Today, Shotokan Karate is extremely popular and taught throughout the world. Unfortunately, in the U.S. there is no oversight as to who can open a Karate school and anyone can claim to be a Black Belt. Please be advised that it would be prudent to do some research before choosing a dojo, investing your time, and making certain the reputation of the Sensei or teacher is sound.