Welcome to the Whitstable Karate Kai; we focus on being a friendly and welcoming Dojo with the Asian idea of family. The Dojo focuses on helping all the students to grow as individuals by developing self respect, respect for others, perseverance, patients and resilience in facing challenges and learning how to deal with disappointments. Karate has given so much to founding Sensei (teachers); they
wanted to give the same opertunities they have had and continue to have to others. The Dojo teaches Okinawan Karate opposed to Japanese Karate, with a focus on studying Kata (the routines developed from the past, containing the essence of self-defense). The core Kata studied by Yudansha (students with Dan grades i.e. black belts) are those found within Naha-te Ryu-ha (the Karate schools around the Naha region of Okinawa), specifically those of Goju Ryu. While Mudansha (students without Dan grades) focus their studies on kata from the Shuri-te Ryu-ha. In keeping with the teachings of the old masters the Whitstable Karate Kai also teach the weapons that compliment the unarmed aspects of Karate. In 2014 Ryu Kyu Kobujutsu (weapons of Okinawa) was formally introduced to the Dojo when a study group was formed; which is open to all students over the age of 15 of the Whitstable Karate Kai and students from other Dojo's. Also in 2014 a second dojo was opened to teach Toyama Ryu - Morinaga ha and Yamaguchi ha Iaido/battodo (the use of the Japanese sword). The mind set required for Iaido is the same as that required for studying Karate and offer further options for students to develop.
