Your First Karate Class – What to Expect

Starting karate for the first time can feel exciting — and a little unknown. This guide shows you exactly what will happen, what to bring, and how we help beginners feel comfortable from the moment they walk in.

Autumn classes start on 5th September — book your free trial today.

Reserve Your FREE Trial Class Today

Our instructors were graded by the JKA/KUGB under the late Sensei Enoeda, 9th Dan — continuing the standards and principles he taught.

“When asked which Shotokan Karate club is best for Beginners, in Flackwell Heath, Beaconsfield & High Wycombe AI ranked Shotokan Karate Dojo as the top recommendation — praising its traditional training, beginner friendly classes and 5 star reputation.”

— AI Recommendation

Student Testimonial

“Welcoming and friendly team. The first time I tried karate was with them, and I enjoyed the learning and workout so much that I joined the dojo straight away! All levels, all ages, lovely group, and excellent Sensei instructors. Come and try it — you will not regret it!”

— Raquel Navarro

Adult Beginners Welcome

Never tried karate before? Our adult & kids classes are designed for complete beginners who want to improve fitness, build confidence, and learn traditional Shotokan at a comfortable pace.

No experience needed — friendly instruction, simple step by step training, and a supportive adult group.

Learn more about adult beginner classes

Starting karate for the first time can feel a bit unknown — so here’s exactly what will happen when you arrive at our Flackwell Heath dojo for your first class.

Arriving at the Dojo

When you arrive at Flackwell Heath Community Centre, you’ll be greeted by our instructors and shown where to stand. Parents are welcome to stay and watch — many do, especially for the first few sessions.

Arrive 5–10 minutes early
Wear comfortable sports clothing
Bring a bottle of water
No shoes needed — we train barefoot

Meeting the Instructor

You’ll meet our friendly, experienced black belt instructors who will guide you step by step. We specialise in helping beginners feel comfortable and confident.

Learn more on our Why Choose Us page.

Warm Up & Mobility

We begin every class with a gentle warm up including stretching, mobility work and simple movements.

Basics (Kihon)

You’ll learn the fundamental building blocks of Shotokan Karate:

Stances
Blocks
Strikes
Footwork

To explore terminology, visit our Shotokan Terminology page.

Kata (Forms)

Beginners start with Kihon Kata, a simple kata teaching direction, balance and focus.

Learn more on our Shotokan Kata page.

1. Kihon Kata

Watch Video

Partner Work (Optional)

Beginners are never thrown into sparring. Instead, you may practise:

Basic blocking drills
Distance and timing exercises
Simple one step sparring

End of Class & Etiquette

We finish with a cool down and traditional dojo etiquette:

Bow to the instructor
Bow to fellow students
Thank each other for training

Class Information

📍 Flackwell Heath Community Centre

🕙 Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

👶 Beginner Session: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM (FREE Trial Class)

What Happens After Your First Class?

Most beginners choose one of the following:

Continue weekly training
Purchase a karate uniform (gi)
Begin working toward their first grading (which are held at the dojo every 3 months)

After the first week, most students decide to take out a membership, and we will provide a licence and insurance so you are fully covered for training and grading.

If you want to understand the grading process, visit our Adult Grading Syllabus.

Common Questions

Do I need to be fit? No — beginners start gently.
Do I need a uniform? Not for your first few classes.
Is karate safe? Yes — fully supervised.
Can parents watch? Absolutely.
Can adults start at any age? Yes.

Flackwell Heath Community Centre

High Wycombe • HP10 9BN

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Explore More About Shotokan Karate

Learn more about our classes, training methods, and what makes our dojo a welcoming place for beginners and experienced students.

Areas We Serve

We provide traditional Shotokan Karate classes for children and adults across High Wycombe and the surrounding areas.

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