Kansas City Shotokan Karate Club

I have been a student of this wonderful karate school for 5 years. If you want to learn a real Karate, this is it. The instructors have so much experience, very helpful, very funny and treat us like a family. I feel like going back to my family home in Japan each time I go to this Karate school.

i join the Dojo about a month ago and I'm so happy I really enjoy learning what the Instructors can teach us plus the member are really patient whit me since I'm a new member

Best traditional martial arts in the city. The instructors are great. If you are looking to better yourself mentally and physically this is the place. Beautiful dojo on top of it all.

There are very few true traditional Karate dojos left anymore. That is why Kansas City Shotokan Karate Club is a gem. A place of spiritual calm in the midst of the city's bustling Crossroads District. In the past few decades there has a been a decline in traditional martial arts with the rise of UFC and other MMA promotions. With most gyms and studios eschewing the values of self-betterment passed down from it's original teachers in favor of effectiveness in a sports competition setting. On the other end of the modern martial arts spectrum there are dojos who claim to be traditional but teach an extremely watered down version that place emphasis on flashy techniques rather than effectiveness in combat. The Karate-do taught in this dojo is the karate as guided by Tsutomu Ohshima, one of the last student of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan. Ohshima-sensei in-turn founded Shotokan Karate of America which over the course of decades has established dojos all the US as well as sister-branches in other countries, most prominently in Canada, France, and Israel. To be a member of this dojo in Kansas City is to be part of a global family. There are frequent events held by the organization that members are invited to. And if you ever find yourself traveling to other parts of the country, all you have to do is reach out to the nearest SKA dojo and you will be welcomed with open arms, retaining rank and familiarity of the structure used by all of Ohshima's students. If you are an old karateka from another organization or even style and you wish to continue your practice with this dojo, your rank will be respected, granted the seniors recognize your current level of skill is on par with that rank. Fairness, strictness and technical standards that are not lowered for any student, new or old. These are what you would be held up to when joining this dojo. That is the tradition.

This is a full blown dojo built for this specific purpose that is second to none! It is a soft, relaxed style of karate that is extremely effective. They teach not to expend any energy except what is needed to achieve your objective. The workouts are as hard and difficult as you want to make them but I have never left without being totally covered in sweat.It almost seems strange that they teach here only to perpetuate the Shotokan style of Karate. This not a money making venture at all. The $50.00 that we pay a month is all inclusive and entitles you any and all practices you want attend. The money collected helps pay for the utilities but the instructors are not paid. They volunteer their time to a martial art and way of life that they truly love.There is a different teacher for each class and they all have a different teaching style and method. Classes are arraigned so that all skill levels practice together but nobody is ever pushed way beyond their skill level. When needed we will break out into smaller groups. The goal there is always to elevate each student by practicing with someone better.The seniors and teachers here are bigger than life when you begin. Speed and accuracy are things which they exude but that we quickly learn come over the course of many decades of practice. They don't break rocks, blocks or boards here but most people are never attacked by any of these things anyway.The atmosphere here is of a giant family. Sometimes after practice we all go out together and eat or just get an adult beverage. Anybody practicing here that wants to hurt people or is in anyway disrespectful is asked to leave and cannot return. That makes an environment where a beginning level student does not have to worry about being a punching bag for somebody else. They welcome kids to practice as long as a parent practices with them. All ages and genders practice together and you quickly see that size, age, strength or sex does not give any one person much of an advantage over anybody else. Some of the best fighters are women and you learn that they have many advantages practicing this style of karate. It almost seems easier for them as they are more coordinated and flexible than I.We stretch before every practice and that stretching keeps us young and flexible. Any prospective student is welcome to come and watch a class or bring your gym clothes and join in.

Great place to practice karate. The Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) style that is practiced here is 100% genuine and traditional. Their main focus is practicing the mind, to make the mind strong. "The mind leads the body."All the teachers are first rate instructors. They give everything and request that you give it your all as well. Then pass the knowledge to those that come after. Everyone is very approachable. The are all strong and can kill you with one punch, but that's not why they practice. They practice so that they can avoid conflict and protect themselves and other when needed. I would practice with these guys any chance I have.

A unique, non-commercial dojo that emphasizes practicality and personal growth. These are some of the best teachers in the midwest, and the dojo is part of a long, international tradition. It really is one big family, not just in KC but with all the SKA dojos in the US, and they provide a very welcoming, non-aggressive and non-competitive atmosphere to experienced martial artists and beginners alike. We have members of all ages, from 8 to 75, and from diverse backgrounds. You will have to push yourself physically but this is not a place where you will have to worry about constantly getting beat up or injured.