"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants."
- Gichin Funakoshi
ABOUT OUR DOJO
Shitokai Karate in San Antonio
Welcome to the San Antonio Shitokai Karate dojo! We're currently accepting students of all ages. Visit our Available Karate Classes page to learn more about our classes for children, teens, adults, and families who wish to learn karate and benefit from the study of martial arts. If you have questions about Shitokai karate, our dojo, or how to get started, feel free to Contact Us directly or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more!
Interested in self-defense? Shitokai is perfect for those who are looking to take karate classes for self-defense purposes, because it is a defensive art from beginning to end. Our instructors are attentive, inspirational, and devoted to teaching self-defense to all our students. We’re certain that we can help you meet your self-defense goals!
Start today! At San Antonio Shitokai, we're dedicated to the practice and application of karate. If you've always longed to learn, your karate journey can begin now. Contact Us, and we can help you develop skills that will serve you well for the rest of your life.
KARATE
We teach Shito-ryu karate, one of the original styles of karate, which is distinguished by physical speed, a strong stance, and an economy of movement. Shito-ryu karate is known for combining half-hard and half-soft circular movements and a multitude of katas. Our classes are based on a progressive system that begins with basic moves and techniques before advancing to higher levels.
SELF DEFENSE
At Shitokai Karate in San Antonio, we believe that karate is a solid foundation for self-defense. An attacker might grab you in one of eight ways, or they might strike at you in one of eight ways. We teach the basic breaks and the defenses to combat these attacks, so that learners are able to physically defend themselves with confidence.
INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Jim Hamman and the instructors at our San Antonio dojo are devoted to passing on the art of Shito-ryu karate, which was founded in 1934 by Kenwa Mabuni in Okinawa. All our karate instructors are Shito-ryu instructors taught by the same organization (USA Shitokai). Our karate linage can be traced back to Kenei Mabuni through Shoko Sato, Doug Dennis, and Luis Alberte.
Shitokai Karate Classes in San Antonio
If you're interested in taking karate classes in San Antonio, we welcome you! Karate offers a great deal of physical, mental, and social benefits. Our dojo offers karate classes to all age groups, families who want to take karate classes as a unit, and those who seek to study martial arts as a form of self-defense. Visit our Available Karate Classes page to learn more about the classes we offer, or simply click on any of the classes and benefits sections below.
1
-
Improves focus
-
Develops self-discipline
-
Teaches respect
-
Instills self-confidence
-
Helps build character
2
TEENS KARATE
-
Improves physical fitness
-
Improves self-control
-
Creates a positive impact on self-esteem
-
Develops mindfulness and gratitude
-
Helps teens become more resilient
-
Improves discipline and focus
3
ADULT KARATE
-
Learn to physically defend yourself with confidence
-
Improve physical conditioning
-
Develop strength, speed, and reflexes
-
Improve situational awareness
-
Boost self esteem
-
Stay safe
4
FAMILY KARATE
-
Creates family bonding experiences
-
Allows family members to work toward common goals
-
Provides quality family time outside the home
-
Develops interest in fitness and healthy habits
-
Helps family members support each other to overcome challenges
-
Allows families to celebrate individual successes together
5
CARDIO
KICKBOXING PLUS
-
Weight loss contest
-
Great cardio workout
-
Increase fitness
-
Kickboxing bag workout
-
Competitive Karate workout
-
Reduce stress and have fun!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-
What is Shito-ryu karate?This is the number-one question we receive! Shito-ryu karate was founded in 1934 by Kenwa Mabuni in Okinawa. It is one of the original styles of karate and one of the six recognize karate styles. Shito-ryu karate is distinguished by physical speed, a strong stance, and an economy of movement. The karate style is known for combining half-hard and half-soft circular movements and a multitude of katas and techniques.
-
How old does my child need to be to begin learning karate?This is an excellent question, and the answer depends on the ability of the learner to concentrate and stay focused. Our karate classes are 45 minutes long, and many four- to five-year-olds will begin to lose focus after about 30 minutes. Our youngest class is open to five- to eight-year-olds; however, if your four-year-old has a 45-minute attention span, he or she is more than welcome to try a class.
-
Can I try a class before signing up?Most definitely. In fact, we highly recommend it, so please feel free to get in touch, schedule a karate class at our San Antonio dojo, and have some fun while you learn karate!
-
How long is each class time?Each class time is different according to age. Pre-K kids are a half hour 5-8 & 9-12 year olds have forty-five minute classes Teens and adults have one hour long classes
-
Do you teach traditional karate?Most karate dojos say they tech traditional karate. We teach Shito-ryu, one of the traditional or major styles of karate from Okinawa. We continue training with instructors and black belts from other Shito-ryu dojos under Koshi Shoko Sato, who oversees Shito-ryu karate in the United States and most of South America. We are part of the USA Shito-Kai and the World Shito-Kai.
-
Do I have to sign an annual contract?Our contracts are month to month. We do encourage you and your student to participate for at least three months to decide what level of commitment your student has. When a student signs up for three months, they receive a complementary gi.
-
What do I need to wear to my karate classes?As with other karate classes, students wear a white gi to work out and practice. You will be issued one upon enrolling in class.
-
How often should I practice karate?You get out of life what you put into it, and this idea is no different when it comes to learning karate. The amount of practice can vary, depending upon your goals and what you want to get out of karate, but most students should attend practice twice a week and practice about 10 minutes a day at home. Younger students should attend practice at least once a week, and teens and adults should attend practice two or more times a week.
-
Can both girls and boys (or men and women) participate in the same karate classFrom our personal experience, karate is for everyone. Typically, about half our students are female.
-
How many students are in each karate class?We start adding more karate classes when we average about 20 students in a class over a period of a month. We've taught classes of over 40 students, but the average class has about 12 to 16 students. Advanced classes can be a little larger, and sometimes we have advanced karate students helping with some of the beginner and novice classes.
-
Will karate classes help me get in shape?We like to think that karate is fitness with a purpose. Adults over 30 usually lose about 20 pounds in the first four months, and adults over 40 usually lose about 30 pounds in the same length of time.
-
Do I have to be physically fit to begin learning karate?No, but you should be physically fit by the time you are a black belt.
-
Can you get hurt while practicing karate?Yes, but you can get hurt while participating in any physical activity. Karate begins and ends with respect, and we encourage and practice control and safety in everything we do. The most common injury we see is pulled muscles from not warming up properly.
-
How long does it take to feel confident about defending yourself?Usually about three to six months. We don’t teach people how to fight (as an aggressor), but we do teach and focus on self-defense.
-
Do I have to spar in class or compete in tournaments?Yes, everybody will spar in class. We believe sparring should be about speed, timing, distancing, and control. It's about self-defense first and foremost. Sparring is not about beating each other up, but about helping our partners become better. Yes, San Antonio Shitokai trains and supports those students who wish to compete in karate tournaments, but nobody has to compete.
-
How long does it take the average person to be a black belt?Your average person does not become an Eagle Scout, a concert pianist, a published author, an actor, a rock star, or black belt, but with hard work and dedication, it usually takes four to five years.
-
Is there a process for transfer students coming from another karate style?We welcome all who want to study Shito-ryu karate and anybody who would like to work out with us. The answer to the question is yes, but you will need to discuss it with the head instructor.