In life, we all have to make decisions, some will be the right and some will be wrong. One way or another we all make mistakes, the question is.... Do you learn from your mistakes and change the way you do things?
Karate is a wonderful way of finding yourself and pushing yourself to achieving things you never thought possible.

Being on this page and having read this far shows you are already interested in what karate has to offer. Taking up a new interest, pastime or hobby can be very exciting and very time consuming, but like everything else, you get out what you put in.

Karate needn't be expensive and for that reason we have always given excellent classes for nominal fees.

Our promise is: You will not be tied down to expensive contracts or direct debits and we will never call ourselves an "Academy" This American idealsim leads to profiteering for greedy instructors. 

We don not join new fads like Mixed Martial Arts. (MMA= Money Making Accounts) We teach traditional karate and the syle we teach is called Shukokai. We are graded by the formeost leaders in Shukokai Karate and not "given belts by instructors of other styles or awarded them to ourselves. We are fully insured and CRB checked. we do not put our students into cage fighting or put our studetns into anything we haven't done ourselves. Our classes are safe and structured.
 

UKASKO

We decided to join UKASKO for two reasons. first of all, they are a non political group who are always be there for support, help and guidance but at the same time do not overcharge or lay down laws which meant we all had to pay a big to be members. Secondly and perhaps just as important, UKASKO is run by the foremost leader of Shukokai Shihan Roy Stanhope 9th Dan, who's knowledge of the art was second to none and is to this day, respected all over the world.
 

What's in it for you?

As stated earlier, you get out of life what you put into it. If you only put little effort in, then you get little in out. However if you strive to improve, then improve you will. Learning karate will change your outlook on life, it will make you more confident and turn you into a better person. You will notice that your stamina and fitness levels increase, you will learn far more about who you are and how you cope with life.

Learning something new is very refreshing and by keeping your mind as well as your body fit, your general outlook on life will benefit.

Ok, so you are still here... this means that karate is certainly interesting you and you;ve made the first step by either considering taking up the art or keen to learn more.
 

Beginner - the first step

The first step is ALWAYS the hardest one to take.

Putting yourself into a class where everyone else seems to know what they are doing can be scary. However, what you must remember is everyone in that room, INCLUDING the instructor, had to do the same.

The instructor is called "Sensei" which, translated means "teacher" or more apt "one who has trodden the path already".

Everyone in the class knows how it feels, therefore everyone will be keen to help you settle in and offer advice.

As you progress, you will find it exhilarating, interesting, fun and perhaps just a bit hard.

The following day you may feel tired and achey but hopefully full of the feeling you have had a body and mind work out! There will be so many new things to learn and so many new things to try out. You WILL find it complicated at first, but with each lesson, things will fall into place and once you understand how to move your body in different ways, the techniques get easier.

Addictive

What to watch out for? Exercise and new interests can become addictive quite quickly and you may find yourself dying to get back to class after your first month. You may feel that you can't wait to get to class to work on that new kata or combination. Try to take things in moderation to stop yourself getting a burn out too quickly, as doing too much too soon may result in frustration and lead you to give up through lack of results.

Once or twice a week is fine to begin with (you can always add more lessons later in your training). Bringing a friend can help as you can have fun together, but don't fall into the trap of altering your training to keep them happy. You may find that you have refused to grade "because they weren't ready" only to find they pack in few weeks later (despite you putting your own training on hold for them). Always: LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE.

Advanced training

Whether you are a beginner or advanced student, you are assured of quality tuition here at Zanshin Karate Cymru (shukokai) and will be graded by Wales' highest ranked Shukokai instructor, Shihan Gareth Edwards 6th Dan.

Sensei Edwards has trained numerous karateka to black belt and above.

Here is a list of his black belt successes:

Our Main Dojo is situated in Caernarfon's state of the art School Ysgol Yr Hendre. The Dojo (training hall) is very spacious and can hold classes of 70 or more comfortably. The room is airconditioned and clean and offers changing facilities and a small kitchen for family members to make refreshments whist classes are on. during adult classes, we have board games and drinks for the children so that parents can train knowing their children are safe. We also have training equipment a the premises including items such as impact pads and safety nunchaku. The floor is safety cushioned and whilst we can promise you a cool training in the summer, the Dojo is warm during the cold winter months.

We would like to take this opportunity in thanking the Headmaster Mr Arwel Jones and Gwynedd Councillor Roy Owen for ensuring that Zanshin Karate has full use of these excellent facilities.

By Gareth Edwards 6th Dan Shukokai