There are so many Karate Dojos out there, and the first thing that comes to mind is, assessing a Karate Dojo based on the instructor’s name and lineage. Some Karate Dojos undoubtably have a reputable lineage. However, among the many true Karate Masters, some have been forgotten, and these Masters remain in the shadow of some of the big Okinawan / Japanese names, who are getting most of Karate development’s credit. Because of this, assessing a Dojo’s lineage can be complicated and require significant research. In other words, always do diligent research before you discredit a lineage based on a name you never heard of!
The other obvious thing that comes to mind in assessing a Karate Dojo, has to do with your personal goals. Some, like myself, are more self-defense oriented, others enjoy competitions and tournaments, and sometimes, people simply just see Karate as a form of body and mind exercise. Most of the time, someone’s Karate goals change with time, while the person’s karate evolves. How much experience you have, and how well you understand what Karate is, definitely impact how much you are able to appreciate the teaching quality of a specific instructor, and whether it is the right fit for you.
Then there is the choice of a specific Karate style. Each Karate style is more favorable to certain body type, or abilities. You can start with a particular Karate style, while exploring (or even simply watching) what’s being done in other styles. This will eventually help you find the Karate style that suits you best. We all have different body types and abilities, some have slim built, others are stocky, some are faster.. etc.., so each Karate-ka needs to make the best of his / her abilities. Eventually, you might realize that almost no Karate style has all the answers!
For some of you that already know me, you do know that my Karate focus is very Self-defense oriented, and that I have a “unifying style” approach to Karate. I believe there is something to learn in every Karate style. This is the reason why after exploring different styles, I personally went with Shito-Ryu. It is by far the style that has the most of Naha-Te, Tomari-Te, and Shuri-Te blended into a single style, which gives me a broad and unique exposure to all kinds of self-defense techniques, including an impressive list of Katas greater than any other styles.
Conclusion: It is not easy for a novice to find a good Karate Dojo, simply because they don’t know anything about it, they always come with stereotypes and misconceptions, and often the initial Dojo choice only comes down to convenience. Despite this, I do believe there is a best Karate Dojo for each of us in line with each karate-ka’s personal goals. You just have to study long enough, and keep an open mind towards other Karate styles in order to find what suits you best.
In the end, it’s not just the Karate instructor, or Dojo/Style that makes the Karate-ka, it’s how hard you practice, and how dedicated you are!
Practice hard, Find your Karate, and don’t forget to have fun!
Toronto, Alpha - KarateBoost blog
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