Woodbury Lane Dojo

About Us

Venue

Shotokan Karate

Venue

Woodbury Community Hall is situated approximately 1.5 miles from the centre of Axminster on Woodbury Lane, near to the Church of Holy Cross and opposite Symonds Down Holiday Cottages.

We are also within easy reach of Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Colyton, Seaton and Lyme Regis.

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KUGB

Shotokan Karate

Venue

The Karate Union of Great Britain is Britain’s largest, longest-established and most successful single-style Karate Association, founded in 1966.

KUGB

Shotokan Karate

Karate is a system of self defence and physical culture originally developed and refined in Okinawa and Japan. The word is formed from the Japanese words Kara (empty) and Te (hand), symbolising that its practitioners – Karateka – are unarmed, but use their hands and feet for blocking and striking. Shotokan, developed by Gichin Funakoshi, is the most widely practiced style in the world .

INSTRUCTORs

KUGB clubs are under the instruction of qualified Black Belts who are provided with the opportunity to attend free training courses dealing with all aspects of Karate and other skills such as first-aid, club administration, instruction skills (for all levels and ages), nutrition, anatomy and flexibility.

There is an Instructor Qualification Programme where Instructors are assessed by KUGB Assessors and standards are maintained by the KUGB Technical Committee.

Woodbury Lane Instructors are DBS checked, safeguarding compliant and sport first-aid qualified.

SAFEGUARDING

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear?

For your first few lessons, please wear sports clothes, eg leggings or track suit bottoms and a t-shirt. Once you are sure that you would like to join our club, we can help with purchasing a white karate gi and belt. We train in bare feet and all watches and jewellery should be removed.

What is involved in karate training?

Training is structured into three main elements - Kihon (fundamental techniques), Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring). Each element has a range of complexity to suit the different levels or grades of students. Kumite is introduced as basic blocking and counter-attacking but then progresses to free-sparring, which develops the timing, reflexes and coordination necessary for self-defence and competition. There is a grading syllabus for all levels . Our gradings are challenging but achievable, and passing them is meaningful and internationally recognized.

I'm not very sporty, will I be able to train?

Absolutely. The wonderful thing about karate is that it is accessible to so many people at different levels of athleticism and at different stages of life. Anyone who is in reasonable health can train in karate, regardless of health issues or difficulties. Our students range from the very young to senior citizens.

Are there competitions I can enter?

Karate is an exciting and challenging sport. The KUGB has competed internationally since 1968 and has achieved numerous World and European titles in both team and individual events. There are club and Regional events for all ages and grades, with opportunities for selection to the KUGB national squads. There are separate championships for children and for students who are in full-time education at Colleges and Universities.

How do I become a black belt?

KUGB students are entitled to take grading examinations after set periods of training. The gradings are conducted by Senior Examiners and there is a grading syllabus for all levels. Coloured belts are used to denote grades. There are nine grades below black belt. These are known as kyu grades with 9th kyu being the lowest and 1st kyu the highest. The next grade after 1st kyu is the first black belt grade - 1st dan.

Useful information

Dojo Kun

Japanese counting

Chief Instructor

一、人格完成に努むる事
Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto
Seek perfection of character

一、誠の道を守る事
Makoto no michi o mamoru koto
Be faithful

一、努力の精神を養う事
Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto
Endeavor

一、礼儀を重んずる事
Reigi o omonzuru koto
Respect others

一、血気の勇を戒むる事
Kekki no yuu o imashimuru koto
Refrain from violent behaviour

Chief Instructor

Japanese counting

Chief Instructor

We are privileged to have the Chief Instructor of the KUGB, Frank Brennan, regularly visit the South West to conduct area gradings at the Exeter Shotokan Karate Club. Frank Brennan has had a stellar career in Shotokan karate and you can learn a little more in the following link:

Learn more

Japanese counting

ichi (一) one
ni (二) two
san (三) three
shi (or yon) (四) four
go (五) five
roku (六) six
shichi (or nana) (七) seven
hachi (八) eight
ku (or kyu) (九) nine
ju (or jyu) (十) ten