Shōrin-ryū is the original karate system and mixed martial art!
Real self defense created by the Okinawan King's bodyguards & retainers.
Teaching the recreational practice of effective self defense.
Small karate school. Small classes. Old fashioned discipline.
Instructor owned and operated. All classes taught by the instructor.
Low cost of involvement. Month-to-month tuition
Group lessons / Private Lessons / Coaching
ABOUT Shōrin-ryū
Last Updated:
June 03 2023 22:20:46
Shōrin-ryū (少林流) is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the oldest styles of karate (empty hand). It was named by Choshin Chibana in 1933, but the system itself is much older. The characters 少林, meaning "sparse" or "scanty" and "forest" respectively and pronounced "shōrin" in Japanese, are also used in the Chinese and Japanese words for "Shaolin". "Ryū" means "school". Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te. Shōrin-ryū a complete system of self defense. Shōrin-ryū includes: punching; kicking, striking; deflecting; ground fighting; joint locking; sweeps; throws; take-downs; and, 13+ weapons. More information available at Wikipedia.com.
Formed in January of 2000, Foothills Karate & Kobudo Club Ltd. has been teaching authentic Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate-do and Ryukyu Kobudo with no contracts. We are a small karate school in the Okinawan tradition, small in space and small in number of students. What we lack in size, we make up in quality and the sincerity of our training. We teach karate, we don't sell it.
We focus on discipline, fitness and self defense.
Shōrin-ryū Karate is suitable to be practiced by all ages and body types, from grade 1 students to adults in their 80s and 90s.
ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS
Last Updated:
March 20 2023 13:50:35.
Chief Instructor
SENSEI KEN LARKMAN is the chief instructor for our dojo (karate school). He is also the owner and sole operator of the karare school. He teaches pretty much all the classes.
LARKMAN SENSEI is an internationally published freelancer writer who has been training traditional martial arts since 1977. He has been teaching traditional karate since 1988.
Shōrin-ryū (少林流) RANKS & BELT COLOURS
Last Updated:
May 23 2023 15:47:46.
RANK / COLOUR
TIME IN RANK *
9KYU /
WHITE
0
8KYU /
YELLOW
27 classes
7KYU /
ORANGE
36 classes
6KYU /
GREEN
36 classes
5KYU /
BLUE/PURPLE
36 classes
4KYU /
BLUE/PURPLE
36 classes
3KYU / BROWN
56 classes
2KYU / BROWN WITH WHITE STRIPE
56 classes
1KYU /
BLACK W/HORIZONTAL WHITE STRIPE
TBD
1DAN / BLACK
2YEARS
2DAN /
BLACK
3YEARS
3DAN /
BLACK
4YEARS
4DAN / BLACK
5 YEARS
5DAN / BLACK
6YEARS
6DAN /
BLACK
7YEARS
7DAN / RED + WHITE
8YEARS
8DAN /
RED
TBD
9DAN /
RED
TBD
10DAN / RED
TBD
* Time in rank refers to how long you have to spend training before you can test for the next rank.
Additional kata
FUKYUGATA ICHI
FUKYUGATA NI
WANSU
SHINTE
JUTTE
CHATAN YARA KUSANKU
Staff kata
SHUSHI NO KON DAI
SHUSHI NO KON SHO
SAKUGAWA NO KON
TOKUMINE NO KON
Nunchaku kata
MATAYOSHI NO NUNCHAKU
Tonfa kata HAMAHIGA NO TONFA
Sai kata
TAWADA NO SAI
CHATAN YARA NO SAI
Kuwa kata
MATAYOSHI NO KUWA
Sansetsukon kata
MATAYOSHI NO SANSETSUKON
KARATE SCHOOL EVENTS CALENDAR
Last Updated:
June 03 2023 22:20:46.
June Belt Test - Saturday, June 10 at 1pm
Closure - Civic Holiday - Wednesday, June 21
Closure - Summer break - Wednesday, June 28 to Tuesday, July 4
Closure - Civic Holiday - Monday, August 7
Closure - Civic Holiday - Saturday, September 30
Closure - Civic Holiday - Monday, October 9
Closure - Holiday Closure - Monday, December 25 to January 1
KARATE SCHOOL RULES
Last Updated:
June 03 2023 22:20:46
The martial arts begin and end with courtesy.
Upon entering or leaving the dojo, show respect with a bow (rei). When entering an Okinawan-based dojo, say "onegai-shimasu" (please provide to me) respectfully and clearly. When leaving, say "domo arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much) as a sign of appreciation.
Upon entering or leaving the dojo make sure you acknowledge the teacher who will always be addressed as "sensei" ('teacher', or, one who has gone before).
Always be courteous and polite to your teachers, seniors and especially to your elders.
Do not consume alcoholic, or intoxicating substances before class.
For proper training, your body and your training clothes are to be kept clean and neat. Your fingernails and toenails are to be kept short to prevent unnecessary injuries. Do not wear jewelry or other ornaments (watches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.) in the dojo while training. This is to prevent damage to the items and potential injury to self and others.
Refrain from engaging other students in idle talking and make the best use of the time given for your class.
If observing dojo training, sit in the correct way and do not stretch your legs out. Keep your hands in your lap.
When the instructor calls for training to begin, line up correctly and quickly, facing the shomen (front) area as required.
Perform the proper warming up exercises proper to training even if one is training alone.
If the teacher is not present, the senior-most student will start the class when it is time to begin.
While in the dojo, listen carefully and seriously to the advice and instructions given to you. This is how one progresses.
When late for class, always ask permission to enter or wait for acknowledgment to enter.
Never leave the class for a break*, water, or early dismissal, without prior permission from the instructor. (*Unless it is an actual emergency.)
Do not use the training equipment unless authorized by the instructor.
Sparring is not allowed without permission from the instructor.
There will be no food or drink, or gum chewing allowed in the dojo training area. There will also be no loud talking or laughing while class is in session. There will be no profanity in the dojo at any time.
During the training session, students must work with a serious attitude and complete concentration. Laughing, talking, or interrupting training with questions, cannot be permitted except with permission of the sensei. Silence and seriousness are two rules which must be followed if a high level of training is to be maintained.
Students should bow to each other before and after each practice.
Never lean on the walls or lay spread on the floor. Students must either stand, sit, or kneel.
Prior to the end of training, all students should do closing exercises together.
At the end of training, the senior-most student will call the class to face the shomen. He/She will announce, "Shomen-ni rei." (Bow toward the front.) and "Sensei-ni rei." (Bow toward the teacher.) so students can bow accordingly.
Do not forget to thank those who have helped you or those who have given some advice on karate.
The seniority system states that no student should go directly to the sensei with questions without first attempting to obtain the answers from the lower or senior students. If you are a White belt, then you should ask a Green belt, etc. Each student should, however, make every endeavor to learn the answer to his or her questions by continued practice and observation of other students. If a problem can be solved by a student in this way, the answer will become permanent knowledge. The sensei are consulted only as a final resort.
If injured, it is recommended that you still come to the dojo to at least observe training. One can still learn from observing.
Each student must report to the sensei when they temporarily discontinue their training.
These rules are instituted for your safety and protection. Intentional violation of any of these rules can result in an immediate expulsion from the dojo.1
1Heavily adapted from Ernest J. Estrada, Okinawan Shorin-ryu Kyoshi, Chief Instructor and Senior Examiner for the Okinawa Karate-do Association-USA, his "Karate School Management and Practices" Handbook. Copyrighted 1990 Ernest J. Estrada.
MONTHLY TUITION
Last Updated:
June 03 2023 22:20:46
Our karate school collects tuition on a monthl-to-month flat rate basis. Our financial policies are as follows:
Monthly tuition = $100 + GST per month.
Tuition is invoiced on the 1st day or the 15th day of the month.
There is a family discount of 10% per family member per month.
MONTH-TO-MONTH BILLING. 30-day maximum commitment.
NO contracts or term agreements.
NO late fees or collection agencies.
NO admin fees.
NO signup fees.
NO annual membership fees.
NO REFUNDS on deposited monies.
CLASSES FOR KARATE KIDS (AGES 5 TO 12)
Last Updated:
June 03 2023 22:20:46.
Karate kids learn the same material as adults but in an age-appropriate manner.
BULLY-PROOF your kids. We only teach effective self defense.
STRENGTHEN your kids. Balance of physical education and technique.