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What safety measures have you put in place during Covid-19?As part of our commitment to keeping our students and staff safe during Covid-19, classes will be divided into three groups of six participants including the instructor. Each group will have their own class-room and students will be notified of their class-room in advance. As availability is limited, we kindly ask that you pre-book your class online as we are unable to take bookings over the phone or at reception at this time. Please take the time to read our guidelines for students and parents returning to training
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What makes Kenpo different from other martial arts?Some of the more classical martial arts were developed hundreds of years ago and were designed for a very different era. As strict traditionalists, their practicioners feel strong cultural and even spiritual reasons for practising those arts in precisely the same manner as they were in the 17th or 18th century. This is not to say that they are ineffective in defending oneself. However, many of their kata and techniques were designed for old-style, battlefield conditions. So, if you live in the kind of area where you are likely to encounter a sword-wielding Samurai or a dart-throwing Ninja, then perhaps that style of martial art is for you. Other systems have, over time, become very stylised and are more concerned with the artistry and beauty of their movements than with paractical self-defence. Based largely on the fighting techniques of animals, their practicioners are fabulously athletic and their spectacular stunts are facinating to watch. However, imitating the moves of a wild animal is fine if you happen to have fangs and sharp claws. If not, the mugger who kindly requests the use of your wallet may not be so impressed. Then there are those styles who have sadly lost their way as true systems of self-defence. They have become totally sport-oriented and practice a simplified program designed for controlled competition purposes with little emphasis on street self-defence. Of course, their practitioners are super fit and can deliver the kind of kicks and punches of which you would not like to be on the receiving end. But for serious martial artists who train for real-life situations, pursuing sport karate is not the ultmate goal. Kenpo is not only primarily focused on practical self-defence, it is a modern system developed in the U.S. under successive Grand Masters Mitose, Chow and Parker into an up-to-date system designed to deal with the kind of real-life situations in which, sadly, anyone can now find themselves. In its execution, Kenpo looks somewhat similar to most karate styles. However, its underlying principles of rapid, multiple strikes and kicks delivered in fast combinations and explosive power combined with flexible footwork set it apart as very different from the more traditional systems. Of course, the strict traditionalists are a little baffled by this relatively new kid on the block. But Kenpo is now the most widely practiced karate style in Europe and America so we must be doing something right.
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Is Kenpo very difficult to learn?Kenpo is a physical skill like any other and has to be taken one step at a time under the guidance of experienced instructors. Think of it as being like learning to drive a car. Some people may go on to be Formula One racing drivers but anyone with a little patience and effort can learn to get from A to B. Our belt-ranking system means that you can treat each belt as though it were a seperate course or module. Start by qualifying for your yellow belt. This course takes about three months to complete and is quite achievable. You may decide to stop there, but we believe that the sense of achievement and persoal fulfilment from reaching that rank will encourage you to go on to the next level and so on.
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Will I feel out of place?When you join a club, the first thing you will be made to feel is welcome.You will then be taken under the wing of your instructors who will guide you step by step in every class. Rest assured, Karate clubs are made up of ordinary people from every walk of life and there is a real 'club' atmosphere of everyone working together. You will be as much a part of the group as the most highly-ranked people in the organisation.
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Do I need to buy a Karate suit to start?Absolutely not. We don't expect you to make the decision to become a full member until you have completed your first month with us. Until then, you should train in a track suit or any loose-fitting, comfortable leisure wear.
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Are Karate lessons expensive?No, feel free to contact us for information on our prices.
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Why would I choose Kenpo Karate combat systems?There are many different Kenpo organisations all over the world, each one teaching their own particular version of the curriculum that was developed in the 1950s and 60s by grand Master Ed Parker. One of the strengths of Kenpo as a martial art is that it permits the various organisations to develop their own unique training program from the original core syllabus, taking into account their particular needs and preferences and allowing them to place emphasis on different aspects of the system. Yet all are members of the worlwide Kenpo family and, as promoters of the art, we would recommend any of them. At Newbridge Kenpo Karate we believe that our curriculum is faithful to the style of Kenpo formulated by Grand Masters Mitose, Chow and Parker while including technical refinements and streamlining of several of the defence techniques and forms. We are also unique in our inclusion of Escrima as part of our training program so that our members are receiving tuition in both hand-to-hand and weapons training.
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How do I start?We welcome beginners at any time. Simply check our class times on this site and come along. If however, you have any other questions, please go to our 'contact us' page and either call or email us, and we will be happy to answer your queries.
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Apart from learning to defend myself, what other benefits can I expect?"You will become aerobically fit, very flexible, improve your muscle tone and achieve a more athletic appearance and overall shape. Your coordination will improve as will your posture. Your self-confidence will increase and you will acquire a deep knowledge of a subject about which most people unfortunately know very little. You will get a great sense of achievement as you progress to each belt level. You will be part of an organisation in which you will have the respect and friendship of your fellow members who will help you progress as you in turn will help those who join after you. In time, as you too achieve the level of Assistant Instructor and then Senior Instructor, you will have a valuable role to play in promoting Kenpo Karate and will be an important source of learning and knowledge to future students.
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