FAQ
What is karate?
Karate is a martial art that developed in what is now Okinawa. Karate emphasizes strikes such as punches, kicks, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open handed techniques such as the one that has come to be known as the “karate chop.”
What is Flatirons Karate Club?
FKC is a Nederland Martial Arts school and a Colorado nonprofit corporation and is a member of the Tiger Arts Association. Our dojo is at the Nederland Community Center in Nederland, Colorado.
What style do you teach?
The basis for our art is Shudokan, a form of karate developed by Kanken Toyama in the late 19th century. It is a fighting style that equally emphasizes punching and kicking. Designed to conquer Japanese Samuri, this weaponless style was highly effective against armed opponents.
Shudokan is often translated as, “The House for the Study of the Way.”
While our roots are in Shudokan, our art is constantly evolving. We also teach joint locks, throws, weapons defense, ground fighting, and elements from the soft martial arts such as tai chi, aikido, kung fu, and even qigong. We believe all martial arts have something to offer.
Will I learn practical self-defense?
Absolutely. Our curriculum includes segments and drills designed to help you respond to potential real life stituations such an attack by multiple attackers. Our is a comprehensive fighting style. But you will also study karate as an art. The student that wants to learn street fighting without also learning traditional karate and the mental and physical discipline it requires will not be happy at FKC.
What is FKC’s rank structure?
In the Kyu ranks, the order is: white belt, yellow belt, orange belt, green belt, purple belt, 3rd degree brown belt, 2nd degree brown belt, and 1st degree brown belt. The black belt ranks are the Dan ranks, and the new black belt begins as a Shodan-Ho. The grandmaster of our Association, Dr. Paul Dusenbery, is an 8th degree black belt.
What is the cost of taking lessons?
The first month is free. This gives interested students an opportunity to attend several classes and decide whether they want to continue their studies with us. For students that attend our classes in Nederland, the cost is $45.00 per month,with discounts for additional familie members.
What is a typical class like?
After the Sensei bows the class in, the Sensei or another student will lead a warm up set designed to help students loosen up and get their blood flowing. We then do a few minutes of “mind clearing” – sitting in a relaxed position with our eyes closed. After that the students will do various punches from a straddle stance. Then we go through our 12 basic techniques as a group, with every student (from white belt to black belt) participating. After basics, students participate in drills under the supervision of the Sensei. After drills there may be classes during which the Sensei wants to focus on kata, sparring, or some practical self-defense situations. When the time comes to conclude the class, the students line up and the class concludes with all students repeating our salutation.
What about uniforms?
New students should wear athletic shorts or sweatpants and a T-shirt to the first several classes. If, after a few classes, the student wants to continue to study with us, we wear black uniforms (called a Gi), and we can purchase a Gi for the student at a discount so that the cost will probably be about $15.00.
Are there any age restrictions?
We prefer students 11 and older. Students younger than that will probably find greater enjoyment in a school that is more oriented toward children. Sometimes we will allow a younger student if that student’s parent or older sibling is also a student in our school. As students advance we ask them to do reading in the history of karate, anatomy and striking areas, the physics of karate, and self-improvment; younger children are not equipped to do this.If you have concerns about the age of a prospective student please contact Sensei Cohen or Sensei Thompson so you can share the details of your situation.
What if I have health problems?
Health problems do not necessarily mean you cannot study karate. Obviously, you should consult your physician. That said, we recognize that some people have health issues and we do not want to deprive them of the opportunity to share in our art. If you have health issues, please let your instructor know so he can tailor a program of instruction for you. If you have health problems, you may progress at a slower rate than some other students, but ultimately you are not competing against them -- you are only striving to improve yourself.
How quickly will I progress?
It depends. Everyone is different. People who are young and in good shape may progress more quickly than others. Grandmaster Dusenbery earned his black belt in 9 months, while it has taken others many years to attain that rank. Two major factors in your progress will be how often you attend class and the extent to which you practice outside of class. You should not feel that you are in a race with your fellow students; you are simply trying to improve yourself.
I fear I am too short (tall), small (heavy) to do karate.
Karate students come in all shapes and sizes. If you are an adult, your height is not going to change, nor is your build. We will help you develop a style that suits your physical tools.
Will I be required to spar?
Eventually. Sparring is an important part of our curriculum because it gives you an opportunity to apply what you have learned and to try new things. It also enables you to experience competition in a safe environment. As you become more experienced in sparring you will overcome the natural fear that comes with it. Sparring is to fighting what a flight simulator is to flying an airplane. (All of our sparring is “no contact” sparring).
Why should I choose FKC over some other school?
You may decide that FKC is not right for you, and that is fine. FKC offers small classes with highly trained instructors able to give students lots of individual attention. FKC is a Boulder Martial Arts school and a nonprofit organization; we are not in business to make money. Our instructors are unpaid volunteers who teach karate because they love doing it. FKC is like a family in some ways; many of us have been doing karate together for decades.
Will FKC require me to sign a contract?
No. There are no contracts and no long-term commitments. The only document we will ask you to sign is a liability waiver.
May I attend a few classes without charge to see if I like it?
Yes. You may attend classes for one month at no charge.
Do FKC students get together outside of class?
Yes. We usually organize a summer picnic and a Christmas season party. In the past we have also participated in rafting and camping trips. There is usually a retreat for advanced students (brown and black belts) once a year.
What are some of the benefits of karate?
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Practical self-defense skills
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Body-mind integration
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Self-awareness
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Confidence
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Coordination
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Flexibility
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Self-discipline
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Lifelong learning skills
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Fitness
What are your guiding principles?
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Develop balanced martial artists using hard and soft techniques
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Cultivate self-awareness
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Integrate the mind, body, and spirit
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Understand the principles, root, and dualities of nature
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Develop the body to develop the mind
