FAQS

“Do I need to be fit?”
Only a basic level of fitness is required. Fitness will improve with time. If you feel particularly concerned, maybe due to heart condition, blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, etc. then we recommend that you speak to your doctor before starting any training. Any serious conditions will need to be declared to the chief instructor (Lee) before you start training. Your training may need to be altered accordingly.
Equally, if you do have any injuries, long term conditions (bad knees / a sprain…) then please understand that you don’t have to do all of the exercises in the lessons. The instructor’s will be understanding, and will work around such scenarios…

“Can I try it out before deciding to join?”
We offer your first two lesson’s training completely free of charge with no obligation. You do not hand over any money during the ‘trial lessons’. Upon the elapse of the trial, and should you decide to join, you will be required to apply for a martial-arts licence; the licence / club membership is completely free.

“Can I sit and watch before joining in?”
Yes of course. You are free to come and watch as much and as many times as you want to and it won’t count as part of the trial period.
…In fact, I encourage people to watch a lesson before joining in, as it gives a clearer view as to what goes on during lessons.
Parents/carers of students below 10 years of age are required by club rules (Ofsted guidelines) to stay at the club for the duration of the lesson.

“What should I wear?”
Initially, all you’ll need is loose fitting clothing – normally, tracksuit bottoms (shorts for summer [your personal preference]) and T-shirt is the favourite but it’s whatever you feel comfortable in.
Once you’ve decided to stay, you’ll be required to purchase & train in a gi (“gee” – ‘karate suit’) before your first grading (which would be red belt).

“What equipment do I need?”
Once you have decided to join up, you will then need to buy PPE (Personal Protective Equipment – a set of hand-mitts, foot protectors & leg shields) and then as per FAQ “What should I wear?”, maybe after a few weeks/couple of months, a gi (“gee [the ‘karate siut’]”).
Prior to purchase, please check with Sensei Lee as to any particular item’s suitability as hand mitts, and foot protectors must meet particular safety requirements.

“Do you make those funny noises? …it would make me feel self-conscious!”
In short, “no”… The ‘kiai’ or ‘karate-shout’ as colloquially known, performed during an activity, and normally as part of kata, is an important aspect of the technique. The kiai is a focus on the combination of correct breathing method, body position and focus of power at the appropriate time and does not need to be audible. Students are taught correct breathing [out] technique during kata and striking/impact training and are not encouraged to merely ‘shout’.

“Will I get injured?”
Despite being a fighting art, injuries are surprisingly rare. Techniques are taught to be controlled, whether it is a throw, a kick or a punch – even on an impact pad / breaker board. There are strict rules governing attacking particular areas of the body during training & sparring;

We have a ‘do not aim for the face’ rule*. Techniques in sparring are ‘pulled’ rather than impacted. We always use appropriate equipment such as hand-mitts or specially designed floor mats. Impact techniques are practiced on pads, and not directly on people.

*Re. the ‘do not aim for the face’ rule:
1. Nobody wants a broken nose (the voice of experience…), blood down their clothing; countless washes to try and clean ‘ruined clothing’. Then comes the medical operations to reset a broken nose and days off work due to a self-inflicted injury, etc…
2. I very strongly dissuade attacking the face, as during a self-defence situation, imagine you aimed for your attacker’s nose but ended up catching one of their teeth; okay you might have just knocked out a couple of their teeth and they’re going to wake up tomorrow pretty sore, but you could then have their blood and saliva in your cut hand…
…or if your punch goes the other way, and your punch strikes an assailant’s cheek bone; your hand bones are no match for the human skull!!!! If you punch a cheek bone / skull, the chances are you will end up with a broken hand…

I will personally vouch for the club members; they are truly lovely people. There a no ‘egos or attitudes’ in the club and nobody is regarded as ‘fight fodder’ for a bully. The black belts can go a bit ‘hammer and tongs’ on each other but then they understand peoples’ limits and training intensity requirements. There’s a definite affinity and unity within the club; the members are all close friends, know each other, and the ‘old timers’ know each other well, and have been friends for years; they’ve all been through thick and thin with each other, ‘venting’ about work, supporting each other with domestic situations, births, deaths, marriages, divorce, serious illnesses, weekend garden parties, etc. That’s not to imply that we are cliquey; all students will be welcomed into the Sankujitsu family 😉. Everyone gets along and helps each other.

Instructors are trained as Risk Assessment Assessors and will not intentionally allow potentially risky/dangerous situations.
Students must be aware though, that although all reasonable care is taken, as with any physical activity, there will always be an element of associated risk.

Sankujitsu Karate Budokai operates within the remit of a:
Constitution and Equalities policy
Code of Ethics

“What governing body does the club belong to?”
Sankujitsu Karate Budokai is a direct member of Independent Martial Art Sports Association (IMASA) – national supporting body, and has been since 2012.

“What traceable teaching qualification does the instructor hold?”
Sensei Lee is certificated with a level 1 Martial Arts Instructor UK training programme accreditation.

“What age can I start from?”
Due to the nature and content of the classes, Sankujitsu Karate Budokai regards the format of the training unsuitable for children under seven years of age.

“How often are gradings?”
There is no single grading ‘event’. Students are evaluated during lessons as to their level of competence in respect of each grade.
Students are awarded a grade *(free of charge) as a direct reflection of their training ability. Students are not notified of when they are being assessed (although if I emphasise a specific area which to work on, it’s a pretty good indication that one is looming…). Every lesson is in essence, a grading.
Students are not required to accrue a specific amount of ‘training hours’ between each grading although must have an up-to-date and valid licence.
*Please note that there is no charge for the grading.
The successful candidate will be awarded a grading certificate issued by the instructor. The grade will be recorded locally with the club instructor and (when the licence is sent to IMASA for renewal) with our ‘parent organisation’ IMASA.

The coloured grading belt:
The belt will only be chargeable if the student wants one to KEEP. The club operates a sort of ‘belt share system’ – we have a ‘belt box’ from which a student may borrow one on the premise that they put their old one in – like a ‘belt swap’. The reason for this is to keep costs down for the student and generally most people don’t have any inclination to keep their old belt. …The only person that ever wanted to keep his old belts ended up giving them to me when he got to brown-belt anyway…

“I’m a ‘x-colour-belt’ in a different style, will my grade be honoured in Sankujitsu?”
Not necessarily. Students transferring from a different style will be allowed to wear the belt that they attained within their previous system for a maximum of a year, upon which time, if they haven’t already received a Sankujitsu grade, they will be assessed as to an appropriate grade to hold within this style.

“When, and where are the lessons?”
If you haven’t done so already, please see the ‘Contact’ page. It gives details of the lesson times and training venue (including a map link).

“Do I have to sign a contract?”
Absolutely not! You will need a licence though (see “Why do I need a licence?” below)… Students either pay per lesson or calendar month for lessons attended (see ‘Training fees’ below for cost). Fees paid in advance, if for any reason a student does not attend, are refunded or ‘rolled-over’ to cover a future session.

“How much does all this cost?”
Please use the ‘Contact’ portal or ask at the club as to what the current training lesson fees are.

“Why do I need a licence?”
Your licence includes club membership, membership with IMASA which includes £5ML Member-to-Member training Indemnity.

PPE (mandatory):
Hand-mitts
Club rules stipulate that fingertips can be exposed but with well-trimmed fingernails.
Knuckles must be covered. ie. light boxing gloves
Shin guards
Foot protectors
Clubs rules stipulate that the shin & instep must be covered.

Groin guard* (*optional, but strongly advised for the males…)

 

Additional Sankujitsu Karate Budokai club badges: £5