SHUKOKAI
The term 'SHUKOKAI' refers to a karate philosophy of karate practitioners 'training together amicably' - cooperatively rather than competitively and without the politics that sometimes interferes with practising karate.
This philosophy is fundamental to SHUKOKAI ENGLAND.
We are an association of independent clubs who want to practice and teach shitoryu karate within a community of like-minded clubs and instructors but without the restrictions and rules imposed by many karate associations.
We believe that a karate association should benefit instructors and their students without imposing a 'one size fits all' policy. We provide a strong support network to instructors and their clubs: building technical karate knowledge, providing access to varied training opportunities and supporting instructors by helping them develop best practice for running their clubs more successfully.
This philosophy is fundamental to SHUKOKAI ENGLAND.
We are an association of independent clubs who want to practice and teach shitoryu karate within a community of like-minded clubs and instructors but without the restrictions and rules imposed by many karate associations.
We believe that a karate association should benefit instructors and their students without imposing a 'one size fits all' policy. We provide a strong support network to instructors and their clubs: building technical karate knowledge, providing access to varied training opportunities and supporting instructors by helping them develop best practice for running their clubs more successfully.
How membership can benefit you as an instructor ...
The benefits of membership can be summarised in six key words:
TRADITIONAL VALUES * MODERN APPROACH
COMMUNITY * AUTONOMY
LOCAL * INTERNATIONAL
TRADITIONAL VALUES * MODERN APPROACH
COMMUNITY * AUTONOMY
LOCAL * INTERNATIONAL
... traditional values ...
Deep and wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of the physical and technical aspects of shitoryu karate and its history and culture is a must. Membership of SHUKOKAI ENGLAND will give you and your students access to courses taught by highly respected karate practitioners (both locally in England and also abroad in Europe and Japan) such as Chris Mileham 8th Dan, Thomas Hausner 8th dan, Ian Barlow 8th Dan and Thomas Geiger 7th Dan.
This is because SHUKOKAI ENGLAND is a member of:
- the Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo World Union (SSWU) - an international association which follows the SHUKOKAI philosophy.
- the English Karate Federation (EKF) - the governing body for karate in England recognised by Sport England.
... modern approach ...
The way karate is often taught has not been changed for decades - and these old-fashioned teaching styles and syllabuses are not always fit for purpose, particularly when you consider that most students nowadays are children and yet karate was originally developed as a fighting art for adults.
Shukokai England has designed innovative training programmes to suit the differing needs of karate students:
Shukokai England has designed innovative training programmes to suit the differing needs of karate students:
- a special syllabus for students aged 5-7 years of age
- a more advanced syllabus for older students
- a training programme and syllabus with an 'incremental' approach so students build up their knowledge and skills in layers rather than learning unconnected skills for each grading
- a 'merit badge' system for students aged 5-11 years which reinforces the character-building aspects of karate and encourages and improves parental appreciation of class content e.g. respect, discipline, confidence, spirit, determination, focus etc.
- strong emphasis on 'real' karate, teaching effective self-defence (rather than karate which is only any good in the dojo or competition)
As well as exceptional knowledge of karate, a good association should also be able to help instructors develop their clubs and run them more successfully. SHUKOKAI ENGLAND also gives practical support and advice to help instructors to develop their clubs and run them successfully both for their own benefit and that of their students.
How do you transition from teaching a few students in a small hall to having full classes in a gym or sport centre? How do you retain students for the long-term? How do you prepare students for their first grading and for their 3rd dan?
How do you transition from teaching a few students in a small hall to having full classes in a gym or sport centre? How do you retain students for the long-term? How do you prepare students for their first grading and for their 3rd dan?
... community ...
Be a part of something worthwhile and exciting - learn alongside others, exchange ideas, develop know-how, receive guidance and advice from experienced instructors. Karate associations that unify clubs together can bring so many benefits.
However sometimes karate associations can be restrictive: imposing a rigid syllabus, requiring members to use specific merchandise or logos and even preventing clubs from training with or having membership of other associations. Some instructors who are put off by the imposition of expenses and rules by old-fashioned karate associations feel that they have no choice but to 'go it alone'. But that is not true. SHUKOKAI ENGLAND gives instructors the chance to train, learn and improve with like-minded practitioners without tying their hands or preventing them from developing their own ideas.
However sometimes karate associations can be restrictive: imposing a rigid syllabus, requiring members to use specific merchandise or logos and even preventing clubs from training with or having membership of other associations. Some instructors who are put off by the imposition of expenses and rules by old-fashioned karate associations feel that they have no choice but to 'go it alone'. But that is not true. SHUKOKAI ENGLAND gives instructors the chance to train, learn and improve with like-minded practitioners without tying their hands or preventing them from developing their own ideas.
... autonomy ...
There are very few rules or restrictions on instructors. With SHUKOKAI ENGLAND you can keep your own club identity and teach in your own way.
Instructors who register with SHUKOKAI ENGLAND:
Instructors who register with SHUKOKAI ENGLAND:
- do not have to pay any annual or other membership fee to SHUKOKAI ENGLAND. ***
- must have comprehensive insurance covering the instructor, assistant instructors and students. (SHUKOKAI ENGLAND does not sell insurance or specify any particular policy. Instructors are free to choose their own policy and policy provider provided it is adequate.)
- may choose to adopt the entire SHUKOKAI ENGLAND grading syllabus or are free to use their own syllabus up to 1st kyu. Gradings for 1st Dan to 3rd Dan will be examined by Chris Mileham 8th dan using the SHUKOKAI ENGLAND dan grading syllabus. Gradings for 4th Dan and above will be examined by the SSWU Dan Grading Panel using the SSWU dan grading syllabus.
- are free to use their own club logo (and merchandise, certificates etc) or to choose to use the SHUKOKAI ENGLAND logo.
- are expected not just to enrol in name but to attend SHUKOKAI ENGLAND courses and seminars as often as possible.
local ....
Instructors and their clubs benefit from the chance to train together at SHUKOKAI ENGLAND courses and competitions in the UK. These can be at the club's own venue or another SHUKOKAI ENGLAND venue giving logistically easy and affordable access to students. As EKF members, students would also be entitled to participate at EKF courses, squads and competitions which are organised throughout the country.
global ...
Instructors and their clubs benefit from the chance to train with like-minded practitioners from Japan and across Europe, the US and Australia at the seminars and competitions organised by Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo World Union and taught by its senior instructors including Ian Barlow 8th dan, Thomas Hausner 8th dan, Chris Mileham 8th dan and Thomas Geiger 7th dan.
