Ataru Shotokan Karate

08/09/2026

This week is Ataru Shotokan Karate Clubs 23 birthday!

Founded in September 2003, Ataru began as a new dojo under the JKA England, on the Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire border. Its name respectfully recognises the Ataru club in Market Drayton, where Sensei Jamie began training in 1989.

Our objectives have always been clear: to provide traditional and practical Shotokan karate taught to consistently high standards within a safe, supportive and progressive club environment.

Twenty-three years later, that purpose remains at the heart of Ataru SKC.

09/06/2026

🥋🌈 Sometimes the best lessons happen outside the dojo.

Last week's Wednesday higher grades class paused for a moment to admire an incredible double rainbow. A reminder that patience, perseverance and appreciation are all part of the journey.

We didn't have time to photograph the actual rainbow, but here's one from today to inspire.

Train hard. Stay humble. Enjoy the moment.

20/05/2026

17/05/2026

𝑱𝑲𝑨 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆, 𝑯𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏
Well done to all those who trained today.
Training like this is invaluable to all, but especially for those Brown and above, looking to Grade!
🥋👊🏼💪🏻

30/04/2026

𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 to the team at Henlow & Villages Community First Responders for coming down last night and putting us through our paces with CPR and Defibrillator training.

𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲-𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄.

These guys give up their own time to do this for the community and have our utmost respect.

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
• 11 more people trained
• 11 more people ready to step up and help protect life

We spend a lot of time in the dojo learning how to protect ourselves and others, this is just as important.

𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹-𝘀𝗲𝘁… 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁.

If you'd like to support this great work, please donate here -
https://www.justgiving.com/page/paul-mccann-1735514341600

12/04/2026

*** Congratulations ***
Congratulations and well done to the 60 students who attended and graded at the joint Ataru and Harpenden JKA event yesterday.
Three informative 1 hour training sessions, preceded the grading with Sensei Martyn King instructing and examining.
Unlike many groups, the JKA does not award grades lightly; each and every one of the students has worked extremely hard and their passes are well deserved.
As ever, there's always more to work on with technique, speed, power and spirit, so onward and upward.
Thanks to all who attended and helped out; it made for a positive day!
~Ataru SKC

20/03/2026

Happy Friday!!!

08/03/2026

04/02/2026

𝕊𝕥𝕦𝕕𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕙
Bradley has earned Student of the Month for January, 2026!
Increased training and working hard to improve 👊🥋
ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤, 𝕜𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕦𝕡 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜!
~Ataru SKC

18/01/2026

Ataru SKC are affiliated to the Japan Karate Association 🇯🇵
Known for producing some of the most respected karate instructors in the world.
JKA karate is about character development as much as skill.
https://www.jka.or.jp/en/