"True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice."

 - Gichin Funakoshi
 
 
"Originally this was the most important thing about martial arts - to reach a higher level, to become a strong human being. Strong doesn't mean big arms. It means who can be a more strict human being with himself. That is the ideal of martial arts."
 
 - Tsutomu Ohshima

Welcome to San Jose Shotokan Karate

When?

Monday, Friday 6:15 - 7:45 PM

Where?

The Central YMCA
1717 the Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126

Wear?

Beginners should wear comfortable clothing suitable for physical activity such as a t-shirt and shorts or yoga pants.  After attending for a couple of months you may be interested in uniforms

How much?

  • Session costs: None. Your YMCA membership allows you to practice with us at the Central YMCA for free.
  • SKA fee: new members pay $75 for first year. Shotokan Karate of America members get
    • a student guide,
    • membership card,
    • access to members-only area of ska.org website,
    • the opportunity to be ranked at kyu (white and brown belt ranking) tests, and
    • many other benefits.
  • Grading/Raking fees: None. There are NO grading fees for kyu tests and NO grading fees for dan (black belt ranking) tests.

Can I try first without paying anything?

Yes.

Both the Central YMCA and SKA permit you to try practicing first without paying.

  • The Central YMCA has been very generous in offering newcomers to try our practice once without paying first. Non-members are required to sign the YMCA's waiver of liability before joining a practice session.
  • An SKA membership is not required prior to starting.   But you are required to join SKA once you decide to continue. Thus you may practice with us for a short time before committing to an SKA annual membership.

Please do not abuse these generous offers made to newcomers who want to try first.   Regular members should understand that keeping SKA and YMCA memberships up to date must be considered part of your karate-do practice.

What we do?

Shotokan Karate of America is a non-profit organization that has been teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1955. SKA was founded and is still led by Tsutomu Ohshima. SKA has more than 120 dojos in North America, and is affiliated with national Shotokan organizations in thirteen countries, including Canada, France, Israel, Spain, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Japan.

SKA is dedicated to teaching Karate in the traditional Japanese manner. We welcome adult students 16 and older, although younger may be considered with prior instructor approval. Class structure allows for the admittance of new adult students at any time of the year.