Shotokan karate is the most widely practiced style of Japanese karate in the world today. There are always three main elements to any Shotokan karate practice:

1. Kihon or Basics
2. Kumite or Sparring
3. Kata or Forms

These "three K's" form the core of any Shotokan practice session. A typical NCKA training session incorporates all of these elements. The session would proceed as follows:

1. Meditation or "Mokuso"

A short "quiet time" at the beginning of each session allows students to put aside their daily concerns and prepare themselves mentally for the ensuing session of karate study. There is also a meditation just before the end of each class to allow the student to absorb what they have learned in class and to re-focus themselves back to everyday life.

2. Warm-ups and Stretching

Warm-up exercises are essential to prevent injury in any physical activity and karate is no exception. At NCKA we are careful to use gentle exercises at first to warm up all muscles and bring good blood flow to all parts of the body. When the body is warmed up, we perform stretching exercises which help to prevent pulling of muscles later on when we practice the vigorous movements involved in karate. With continued practice at the beginning of every class, students gradually gain flexibility and muscle tone.

3. Kihon or Basics

Kihon or Basics are fundamental to karate practice. If the basics of a karate practitioner are not solid, then this is reflected in all aspects of their karate. It is not surprising therefore that even the highest ranking Japanese karate masters start their karate training sessions practicing basics. At NCKA, basics always form the first part of any lesson.

During basics, we practice blocking, punching and kicking techniques - slowly at first, but always ending with a set performed at full speed and power. This allows students to become familiar with the technique first before executing them at the proper speed. Over time, many of these techniques will become second nature. Beginners practice the techniques singly - that is, a single technique is practiced repeatedly. More advanced students perform repetitions of techniques strung together in combinations.

4. Kumite or Sparring

There are three main types of one-on-one sparring in Shotokan karate and at NCKA we practice all three. With beginners, sparring consists of formalized basic sparring drills where all the attacks are announced before execution. These drills are designed to enable the student to practice their offensive and defensive techniques safely with a partner. Intermediate students also practice these drills and in addition learn use evasive movements as well as direct blocks to defend against attacks. Such drills allow the student to learn the proper application of the defensive techniques and counter-attacks as well as the correct distance to render them effective.

More advanced students practice semi-free sparring, or "jiyu-ippon kumite". This is still a pre-set sparring drill in that the attacker uses a single attack and still announces it before execution. However, the participants are allowed to move more freely than in basic sparring and the attacker may attack at any time after the technique is announced - specifically, they can wait until they feel the moment is right to attack. This type of drill allows students to learn about the timing of both offensive and defensive techniques as well as distance in a "free flow" format.

At the most advanced levels, students will practice free-sparring or "jiyu kumite". Students can move around freely, they do not announce their attacks and they can use combinations of techniques rather than just one attack. Generally, this type of sparring is only practiced by brown belts or black belts.

5. Kata or Forms

There are 26 kata or forms in Shotokan karate and we, at NCKA practice all of them. Each is a series of karate techniques designed to be performed in sequence against imaginary opponents. Training in these forms allows to student to learn how to perform combinations of karate techniques together. Students usually concentrate on learning these forms one at a time until they can perform them at their proper speed, with the use of full power in the techniques and with the appropriate timing. We sometimes also train in the application of parts of these kata to enable the student to fully appreciate the significance and meaning of the techniques they are performing.

Benefits of Training at NCKA

Much of the above can be found at typical training sessions at other karate "dojo" or clubs. At NCKA, we believe our training offers some additional advantages:

1. Our instructor, Mr. Hajime Yokota has over forty years experience in training and teaching karate. His early training was in Japan so, in many respects, he offers authentic karate training of the highest quality.

2. Our location in the heart of the Silicon Valley regularly attracts students nation-wide and from all around the world. These students come to the area for employment purposes but are seriously dedicated to karate and very selective about finding a good dojo to train at. Their membership and involvement in our dojo brings an immense wealth of training and teaching expertise which serves to enhance everyone's training experience.

3. Our classes are typically small (less than 20) which means you will receive plenty to guidance and attention during class.

4. We have many black belt members in our club which allows us to separate the class while retaining black belt level instruction in each group. In particular, beginner and intermediate students can enjoy more individual attention.

5. Serious but accepting attitude. Karate can be practiced by almost anyone. Each person will have their own habits and their own way of learning. Some people will be naturally good at some things or bad at others, it's very individual. At NCKA, we believe that the best way for anyone to improve is to take the practice seriously and train hard, but not at the expense of enjoying it. There are some who live for sparring, some who strive to have perfect technique and others who just want to improve in their own time. NCKA welcomes all who endeavor to train to reach any goal with respect.