Our fall term begins on Monday, September 16
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KDS Karate for Kids:
KDS Karate is a non-competitive martial art that is suitable for children aged 7 and up that teaches the skills and techniques of karate in a safe and supportive environment. Our classes are structured to balance discipline with fun, learning and fitness. Our students do not participate in tournaments. Classes typically start with a short warm-up before breaking the class up into groups based upon the level of the students. Each group then works on stances, techniques, and partner practices appropriate to their level; usually linked to the particular kata that their group is learning. |
Practice Times & Location:
Youth Beginners/Intermediate: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:15-6:40 Youth Intermediate/Advanced: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:45-7:30 Our classes take place at Brookhouse School, 15 Christopher Ave., Dartmouth. Contact: E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 902-233-3066 Cost: $60 per child per term ($120/term family rate). The terms vary somewhat in length, but are usually around 8-10 weeks long. There are three terms per year (Fall, Winter & Spring). |
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INSTRUCTORS:
The head instructor is Clarence Whynot, a 5th degree black belt who has been practicing and teaching karate for 40+ years. He is married with a grown son and is retired from the federal public service. Don Dorey is a 2nd degree black belt who has many years of experience of working with youth through karate and other youth programs. He is married with three grown children and is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. Neil MacInnes is a 1st degree black belt, who originally started in our youth program before returning to the adult class a number of years later. He brings a lot of experience in working with kids from having worked for a number of years at the Halifax Discovery Centre. Dave Roker is a blue belt who grew up in the Bahamas. He is self-employed with two sons, one of whom is in our youth program. Dave brings years of experience in working with young people to our group. Kareem Elhawary is the most recent addition to our volunteer youth instructor group. He has practiced in our adult classes for a number of years and is a blue belt. Kareem works for the federal government and is married with a young daughter. Assistant Instructors: We are sometimes helped by assistant instructors who have demonstrated technical and leadership skills in the adult program. Information for Parents:
We try to provide a program that is supportive, yet provides some structure and discipline. You can help us to provide such an environment by observing the following:
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Youth Instructor Group, L-R: Sensei Neil, Sempai Kareem, Sensei Don, Sensei Clarence, Sempai Dave
Information for New Students:
Welcome to Karate-do Shotokai - we hope you enjoy it! Karate is an ancient martial art that originally comes from Okinawa, Japan. It was originally practiced for self-defence, but now we practice also for fun and fitness. Please arrive on time and ready to practice. Black belts should be addressed as "Sensei" and other instructors as "Sempai". We expect all students to follow the instructions of all instructors and to do your best. |
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Gradings:
We hold a testing/grading class at the end of each term. The belt progression is as follows:
There are three or more stripes between each belt grading (five between brown and junior black belt). Students will normally progress one stripe each term, although sometimes students will be advanced two stripe levels. As a result it will usually take a year or more to earn a yellow belt. A brown belt signifies many years of dedication. We grade partially on technical skill level, but we also consider attitude, effort and individual challenges that some students have. Older students will often progress somewhat faster than younger ones in the early stages because of better attention levels and physical maturity. |
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"Non-competitive karate classes for adults and children".