Shotokan is traced back to Gichin Funakoshi.  Known as "The Father of Modern Karate", Funakoshi is credited with the spreading of Karate from Okinawa to Japan.  In 1917 He was invited to demonstrate his style of karate at the Butokuden in Kyoto. While in Japan, Funakoshi traveled and continued to give exhibitions. In 1922 the Japanese Ministry of Education asked Funakoshi to participate in a demonstration of ancient Japanese martial arts at the Women's Higher Normal School in Tokyo. This was Shotokan's "Big" break.

In Funakoshi's later years the name Shotokan was developed.  Shoto was Funakoshi's pen (nick) name and Kan means hall.  So literally Shotokan means Shoto's hall, take that as you will.  Funakoshi passed away in 1957, but not before paving the way of one of the most popular Martial Arts in the world.

The simple answer is 6 years old .  Classes focus on gross and fine motor skill development, etiquette, encouragement, and karate-type games to teach punching, blocking, and kicking. This age group never "hits" each other in a class session.

Additionally, a benefit to your child is that they learn the discipline to focus and accomplish assigned task. We have found this benefit can potentially have a positive affect on a child’s character for life, socially and academically.

Lastly, generally speaking, children ages 7 or older are typically physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of attending karate classes above the early child development level (pre-k & kindergarten).

The simple answer is that Shotokan uses the hands and feet to punch, kick, grab, take down, and strike, as needed. Traditional Shotokan karate does not emphasize kicking more than punching, or punching more than kicking, or grappling more than restraining tactics–traditional Shotokan karate is a varied martial arts system.

All styles of martial arts differ in the application of body dynamics and body mechanics. The central focus of some styles use circular whipping motions to create power, some use straight linear movements, and still others use grappling, restraining, and non-resisting methods. However, Shotokan karate explores all of these methods to some degree. 

The study of Shotokan karate utilizes five body actions, contraction-expansion, rotation, vibration, drop weight-lift weight, and shifting, to achieve dynamic movement, punching, kicking, and striking. In a general sense, these body actions are not unique, they're used in many activities such as chopping wood, swinging a bat, or swinging a golf club. Ultimately, the application of these body actions to move, set a stance, kick, block, and strike, uniquely classifies the type of karate known as Shotokan.

If your health is generally good, then you can join our program at any age. We do recommend to join our complete The Zen Program - AIIT which include cardio exercise, muscle toning, strength & power building, discipline, etc. We will do our best to help you set your realistic achievable goals.

Yes, it can be. Please read the next two Q & A's for more details.

Of course, it is very much result orientation program eg consistent Athlefit training to lose weight. We've had students that have lost the required weights and achieved their goals. The cardio activity contained in a typical functional training session can potentially yield huge weight loss results! The formula to losing weight is not a secret; calorie intake cannot exceed calories burned. We can give you some recommendations to help you acquire healthy eating habits, and the training sessions will provide the cardio activity required to help you burn fat and lose weight!

A well-organized training period is approximately a minimum of 75 to 90 minutes long. The training session will usually follow this general outline:

• slowly and gently raise your heart rate
• limber your body with stretching
• raise your heart rate aerobically with basic technique (punching, kicking, blocking) for at least 20 minutes
• condition your response ability by way of anaerobic controlled pre-arranged attack and defend scenarios
• improve your general karate form with the study of kata
• if your skill level permits, then practice of free sparring
• Functional training + Calisthenics will strengthen and tone your muscle structure
• cool you down with gentle stretching
• additionally, between the basic aerobic and anaerobic drills, there is an instructional period with lecture and demonstrations to outline the central focus for the remaining training session

The average student that attends sessions diligently, at least three times a week, can potentially become a black belt in about 3 1/2 to 5 years. This window of time is based on individual skill and natural ability. Try as you may, there is no substitute for time to balance the skills you acquire.