Shotokan Karate Club at The University of Virginia

Club Description

The Shotokan Karate Club at UVA was founded in 1997, and we train year-round. Members include undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty of the university. The club practices traditional Japanese Shotokan karate, and fosters strength and confidence in a friendly, controlled environment.In addition to regular training, the Shotokan Karate Club offers other activities like outings after class, movies, hiking, parties, and beach trips. We have gone kayaking and even sky-diving! We travel to optional camps and tournaments, host guest instructors, and have rank tests three times a year.?Students learn and develop blocking and striking techniques, forms and sparring, with an emphasis on strong basic techniques and body connection. Classes include warm-up exercises, kihon (basic techniques), kumite (sparring and partner combinations), and kata (series of blocks and attacks against imaginary opponents.) The classes offer cardiovascular and strength training, and benefits include self-defense, confidence, focus, and fitness. Frequent repetition is required to progress in any study of martial arts, so students should be able to attend two classes per week.