- Which is the best Martial Art?There are actually hundreds of Martial Arts all over the world. The most well-known ones are Japanese Martial Arts such as Aikido, Judo, Karate, Jujutsu, Kendo, Okinawan Kobudo, Bojutsu and many more.
- Do you teach respect?Teaching respect is what we do best. We teach our kids how to put others before themselves, and we teach them to respect people older, wiser and more experienced than them. We also teach our students that you have to earn respect first, to receive respect.
- How long does it take to get your blackbelt?Normally 4 to 5 years for an adult to get their Blackbelt. But this entirely depends on (a) you (the student), (b) the type of Karate or Martial Arts you choose, (c) the amount you train each week, and (d) your age.For example, in Karate, if you train 2 to 3 times a week for 2-3 hrs each session consistently it is likely to take approximately 3 to 4 years. But if you train 1 to 2 times a week for 1-2 hrs each session consistently it is likely to take approximately 5 to 6 years.So it really depends on how much you train, how well you listen and learn, and how focused you are. So to sum up the more you 'consistently train' the quicker you get your blackbelt.For (a), (b), (c) and (d) see what it takes to be a blackbelt in Shotokan Karate.
- Which is better, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or Karate?
Mixed martial arts (also known as MMA), is a hybrid combat sport incorporating techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, karate, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), and other disciplines. (according to Wikipedia and Britannica). MMA is generally a full-contact sport so you need to accept the fact that there will be contact and possibly injuries are part of your training.
Karate is one of the World’s most popular martial arts. Karate was developed in Okinawa, a small Island in Japan in the late 1800s, and early 1900s. Karate is a highly efficient system of self-defence, with an enormous depth of knowledge developed over many decades. Karate is an excellent form of exercise both physically and mentally, that promotes a great number of life skills and values. It is often referred to as "the thinking man's/person's Martial Art".
Unlike many martial arts, the size and strength of a karate practitioner are unimportant as students are taught to use their entire body when delivering strikes (to generate more power). Students are trained to deliver sharp blows with various weapons of the body towards pressure-sensitive areas of an opponent. For these reasons, Karate has become very popular around the world with women and children in particular.
While both styles teach efficient personal combat skills, karate does however (arguably) emphasise self-control more and promotes the awareness to avoid conflict at all costs. Combat should only be used as a last resort. Mixed martial arts is more of a 'sport', whereas Karate is more of an 'Art'.
In short, both Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Karate have good and bad instructors and are very efficient in their own right. So it comes down to your personal preference.
Welcome to GSK Karate, a Martial Art for all ages 4 and above
Sensei Gichin Funakoshi was the founder of Shotokan karate and is known as a “father of modern karate”. There are over 75 karate styles, the most popular among them being Shotokan Karate. Shotokan Karate is recognised as one of the world’s most efficient and dynamic Martial Arts. At GSK, we teach quality traditional Japanese Shotokan karate. This means very efficient self-defense techniques that will build your confidence and skills. Karate is made up of three main sections, kihon (basics), kata (way of using kihon), and kumite (sparring).
Here are just a few more reasons to consider Shotokan karate training.
13 Reasons Karate will improve your life and your child’s Life …
1. We build good moral character and confidence
Instructors will help students work on self-discipline, etiquette, effective communication, building strong moral character and self-esteem, having a positive self-image, and respecting others. We foster qualities like patience and focus in all our students every day because it just doesn’t happen by accident.
2. You learn how to focus more
Find out how our unique GSKarate and Martial Arts training guarantees improvements in focus, concentration, confidence, and even good manners! Learn more.
3. Learning how to generate real power with your body for self-defence
Karate got its name because it enables people who are smaller or weaker physically to generate significant amounts of force and power to protect themselves and do it extremely efficiently! To do this, you need to understand the mechanics of using your whole body (knowledge passed on from our masters before us) and through continuous training. The journey to achieve this skill creates health benefits also learning this helps with self-defense. To keep track of this journey, a traditional coloured belt (ranking) system allows students to set personal goals and measure their progress throughout the years. Learn more.
4. We build your confidence
Many martial arts teach confidence, during karate training we are gradually putting your knowledge and skills to the test, more and more, so that before you know it you are doing things you wouldn’t have believed where possible.
5. We help you become a Teamplayer, and show you how to become a good leader and a follower!
Karate practitioners will learn how to listen, to have self-control, and how to be both a leader and a follower!
6. Train with international masters
Our chief instructor is Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya who graduated from the rigorous JKA (Japan Karate Association) specialist instructor’s training course in Tokyo, 1973. His training covers overall body strength, flexibility, focus, respect, good manners (dojo etiquette), awareness of others, and social skills (interacting with others). The student is required to think a lot more about everything they are required to do.
7. We do competition training for people that like to be competitive, and we do traditional Shotokan Karate, Martial Arts for those that are not competitive.
Competition is not for everyone and we understand this. So we have a competition team for those who really want to excel at a competition and love the idea of getting a medal and becoming a champion. If you are very competitive, feel the need to feed that competitive streak in you and like sparring, then look no further. But if competition is not you, we don’t force you to compete if you don’t want to. Learn more.
8. Self-defence, and anti-bullying
We cover a wide range of techniques in our self-defence and anti-bullying classes, all of which are extremely efficient and practical. We focus on your communication skills, handling your emotions, self-control and your aggressor, situational awareness and much more.
9. We don't get you doing things that you shouldn't be doing!
At GSKarate, we give you the best Karate experience you could hope to have for your age, rank and your particular needs.
10. You develop a very wide skill set
They cover overall body strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, agility, focus, attitude, listening skills, good manners (dojo etiquette), awareness of others, and social skills (interacting with others).
11. We give you confidence in your knowledge and abilities
For adults, there is usually quite a noticeable skill increase. Karate classes cover the more serious applications of techniques, scenarios, pressure points, role modeling, personal standards, ethics, smart thinking, and much more challenging exercises depending on the individual.
12. We get the best out of you
Our instructors are well trained and qualified in the field of Shotokan Karate, and are fully licensed coaches with the DLGSC (Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries) and are WWK (Working With Kids) approved.
13. We mix fun and challenging techniques together
We believe that in order for you to learn old Japanese karate; you need fun intermixed with challenging exercises and a very supportive learning environment. Your progress is our priority.
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