Teaching Philosophy

We are not only interested in teaching students with natural physical ability who can make the school look good, but in developing all students who have a desire to learn Shotokai Karate.  While it is fun working with students who grasp things quickly, it is extremely rewarding to see less-talented students learn and progress. The key for us is that students put in effort and work to the level of their individual ability. If they do that, they will improve.

Gichen Funakoshi, who introduced and popularized karate in Japan from Okinawa, believed in teaching karate in the public schools as a means of physical education for everyone, instead of merely teaching people how to fight. The martial arts are not meant to make the strong stronger, but rather to build up smaller or weaker people.

Racism, sexism, and other types of bigotry have no place in our dojo.