FAQ

What should I wear? We train barefoot, you will need to remove all jewellery and have trimmed nails. For your first classes, loose jogging trousers and a t-shirt will be fine; avoid buckles or zips and any garment that could become dangerously restrictive. If you keep training, you will need to get a traditional white karate style uniform but a robust ju-jitsu uniform is generally more appropriate than a lightweight sports karate one.

​

How is it different from "Traditional Karate"? We don't spend a lot of time punching thin air (although we do sometimes), most of what we do is partner work. Your partner's goal is to help you practise, not to compete with you. Your partner's job is to at first be a compliant training partner and facilitate you learning the various skills. But then gradually, the degree of resistance is increased along with increasing unpredictability of "what's coming next"., getting progressively closer to the unpredictability of a fight. We do practice kata (pre-arranged solo movement excercises) but we prioritize partner training in class. You can practice the kata at home on your own! The skills we practice are also more diverse than some traditional karate styles - in addition to punching and kicking, we practice joint locks, throws, strangulation, and fighting on the ground. And to do all this, you need to learn to "breakfall" - fall down without hurting yourself.

 

Does it hurt? Occasionally it can do, but not that much and our goal is that there is never any long-lasting injury. Training is controlled to minimize the risk of injury and students’ progress gradually. We do not practise uncontrolled, “full-contact” fighting - your safety is our paramount concern. There is, however, some unavoidable risk in practising any sport. 

​

Are there other training possibilities? There are national and international training events with many experienced Instructors. This includes trips to international KU training events. The yearly trip to Holland/Belgium/Germany for the annual European training camp is an amazing and unforgettable experience. There is also an option of training in Okinawa (Japan) each year if you wish with the person who created Koryu Uchinadi.

​

Will I be able to grade and receive a coloured belt?  Yes.

​

Do you enter competitions? No. The goal of KU is self-defence, personal growth and fitness, not competition. We train to learn new skills, have fun and improve ourselves.

 

How long will it take to get a black belt? That depends how often you train! And anyway, that is just one step along the journey and really only signifies a certain level of proficiency. There is still a long way to go after that. A black belt is a little like obtaining a driving license - it's a recognition of basic competence and not that you ready for a grand prix race!

​

I have never tried martial arts before, is it right for me? The only answer to that is to try it. If you like it, fantastic. If not, then that is not a problem., thank you for trying it. And the first lesson is free!

​

Do I need to be fit before I start? No, we will improve your fitness gradually. If you wait until you are fit to start, you will probably never start. Improving our physical well-being is one of our goals.

​

I am apprehensive about starting. So were most of us, its OK and its normal.  Be assured, we will look after you!  And learning to do something that you are initially apprehensive of is a skill that can be applied to other parts of your life. .

​

Can I practice other martial arts as well as KU? Yes, absolutely. in fact that is a great way to broaden you knowledge.