Who will teach me?

The instructor for Loughton Wado-Kai Karate Club is Sensei Jason Walton (4th Dan, Black Belt). Our instructors are qualified first aiders, fully insured and hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate (formerly CRB). The senior instructor for the association (England Wado-Kai) is Sensei Barry Wilkinson (8th Dan, Black Belt).

What will I learn?

We teach traditional Wado-Kai Karate in a safe, friendly and respectful environment. Our training syllabus (from England Wado-Kai) is structured and progressive to allow you to develop in easy steps. The teaching focuses on the following main areas:

Basic (Kihon) foundation techniques, such as punching, kicking and blocks. Combination techniques, combining basic techniques together. This will follow with Pair work (Ippon, Ohyo and Kihon), putting the foundation techniques into practice.

Kata (Form) A predetermined sequences of movements.

Free fighting/sparring (Ji Yu Kumite), only started once you have learnt the necessary techniques and control.

What should I wear?

When you start karate you will need to wear loose clothing so that you are able to move around freely. Suitable clothing would consist of jogging/ tracksuit trousers, and a T-shirt. It is important that whatever you choose to wear is both comfortable and suitable for physical activity. When you are confident that you want to continue with karate training you can purchase yourself a ‘gi’ (Pronounced ‘Gee’), which is the cotton jacket and trousers worn in karate. With the gi, you would wear a white belt until you are ready to grade.

How fit do I have to be?

Most people are unfit when they start karate and often it’s the reason why they take it up in the first place. Your fitness (or lack of!) will not prevent you from enjoying and developing in karate.

Our syllabus is constructed so that the most physically demanding techniques are introduced in a phased manner. Your fitness will develop as you train more and this in turn helps you to progress through the belt (grade) system.

Wado-Kai is a softer style of karate which focuses on technique and less on physical strength, making it ideal for all fitness levels.

As with all sports it is recommended that you consult you GP first if you have any concerns about your current level of fitness/health.

Am I too old?

You are never too old to start Karate; there are many older karate-ka (one who practices karate) including some Japanese masters who practice well in to their 80’s and 90’s. We believe in adjusting the way that you practice karate to suit your body so you're not expected to perform like a 21 year old athlete if you're in your fifties.