We start from age 5 (4 year olds can attend the special NeeHi Ninja classes) and we have no upper age limit. We have had students train in their eighties and students get their black belts in their seventies. Age is no barrier to being awesome and enjoying the benefits of karate
You do not need to be fit and strong to start Karate and your fitness & strength will improve with each class. We welcome students of levels of all fitness, strength and ability. If you or your child have any specific needs, please do talk to us, we are here to help and over the years have significant experience with helping students train.
If you have any serious health concerns, do talk to your doctor for any medical advice and let us know how we can help
Once you have contacted us and given us all your details, you can be booked in and ready to attend. You need to arrive a little early to your first class to introduce yourself and meet the instructor.
You do not need a uniform (called a karategi or dogi) to start. Please wear loose comfortable clothing. Please also wear footwear that is easily removed (as we train barefoot). Please bring a drink for the break. You will be shown many new things but do not worry, we do not expect you to remember it all. Just try hard and have fun, you will soon get the hang of it all. Your instructor and helpers are there to make you feel welcome. Do try and let us know if you can not make class at any time. We look forward to seeing you in class
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU ARE ILL. We have had a number of students attend with a cough, please do NOT attend. Students are welcome to attend extra classes to make up for any missed due to illness
Students should not wear their belts outside of the dojo, unless part of an event, seminar or other appropriate situation
Outside of the class dojo, please feel free to proudly wear your club T shirt. For exceptionally hot weather we allow students to wear their T shirt instead of their karategi jacket. Please still wear your belts and karategi bottoms. The exceptions are gradings and special seminars, where students are always expected to wear the full karategi
"My son and I take lessons together twice a week. We never want to miss a class.The classes are fun and the atmosphere is friendly. The instructors do a great job".......Colm C
"My daughter has attended Zenshin Kai Karate for 2 years and has progressed from a keen but hesitant starter through to a senior grade. She has grown in many ways during this time especially in self confidence, physical ability and also self-discipline. Adrian and Julie were very welcoming from day 1 and we have been very impressed at how they teach the classes - there is a great balance between fun, skills progression, respect and commitment plus its a very happy and inclusive atmosphere. To anyone teetering on the edge of whether to join i would wholeheartedly say 'do it' and i have every confidence that your children will love it" .......Peter W
"Gabriel hasn't been doing it for very long but he always looks forward to coming and he is excited to learn more!
We wanted him to learn a form of martial arts for various reasons, and after trying one before you which made him quite upset, we're happy we found Zenshin Kai Karate".....Sophie B
"My son has been attending these karate classes since he was 5 years old . Let's just say he is quite a ' bouncy ' boy but since attending he has really calmed down and I feel that it really gives him something to focus on . The lovely family who run these classes are so friendly and approachable. The encouragement that my son is given is lovely to see and he really looks forward to attending his next class"..........Louise H
Location : Lace Hill Sports Centre
Christmas 2024 : Classes closed on Tuesday 24th Dec, Thursday 26th Dec, Sunday 29th Dec, Tuesday 31st Dec, 2024. Classes reopen on Thursday 2 Jan, 2025.
Sunday:
9.00am to 9.30am - NeeHi Ninjas term time only,
9.30am to 10.25am - All grades,
10.30am to 11.25- reopening early 2025, all grades
Tuesday:
5.30pm to 6.25pm - All grades,
6.30pm to 7.25pm - All grades,
7.30pm to 8.25pm - Adults & 11yrs + (All grades)
Thursday:
6.30pm to 7.25pm - All grades,
7.30pm to 8.25pm - Blue Belt + (& invited Adult lower grades on unlimited training)
8.30pm to 8.55pm - Brown Belt+,
Firstly and most importantly, we are here to help you achieve your karate goals. Always feel free to contact us with any questions or concern.Karate Do is a path of self improvement. Every student needs to improve to advance in grade. Do not focus on others around you, as you and you alone are on your own karate journey. Listen carefully to your instructor and if concerned, politely ask what is needed to improve or what do you need to work on. There are minimum time lengths, minimum number of classes attended but empthasis will be on improvement, particularly if your instructor has given you specific guidance or instruction. Improvement can include effort, etiquette, respect to others, self control as well as improvement in technique or kata.
Train hard, listen well and stick with it. Black belts are simply those who did not quit
9th Kyu Yellow Kihon
8th Kyu Orange Heian Shodan
7th Kyu Red Heian Nidan
6th Kyu Green Heian Sandan
5th Kyu Blue GekiSai Dai Ichi
5th Kyu Blue Heian Yondan
4th Kyu Purple GekiSai Dai Ni
4th Kyu Purple Heian Godan
3rd Kyu Brown Tekki Shodan
3rd Kyu Brown Saifa
2nd Kyu one stripe Tekki Nidan
1st Kyu two stripes Bassai Dai
Shodan Enpi
Shodan Jion
Shodan Kobudo
Nidan Kanku Dai
Nidan Seienchin
Sandan Annanko
Sandan Unsu
Yellow Intermediate no kata required
9th Kyu Yellow no kata required
Orange Intermediate Kihon Sho
8th Kyu Orange Kihon
Red Intermediate Heian Shodan
7th Kyu Red Heian Nidan Sho
Green Intermediate Heian Nidan
6th Kyu Green Heian Sandan
Blue Intermediate GekiSai Dai Ichi
5th Kyu Blue Heian Yondan
Purple Intermediate GekiSai Dai Ni
4th Kyu Purple Heian Godan
Brown Intermediate Saifa
From 3rd Kyu Brown and onwards, students follow the adult sylabus