Frequently Asked Questions
This is a list of questions that are commonly asked before joining a club or taking up Karate-Do. Please let us know if you have any question that is not listed below so that we can update the list.

About joining
What is the purpose of Karate-Do?
Do I need to be fit?
Do I need any experience?
How old do I need to be in order to train?
How do I join?
Do I need any special equipment or uniform?
How do I know you are reputable with properly trained instructors?
How much do classes cost?

About membership
Who is responsible for my child when they are training and are they insured?
What does my Membership pay for?

About safety
Is Karate dangerous?
Are the classes taken seriously?

About gradings
What are the different belts?
What are gradings?
How long do I need to train before undertaking a grading?
Do I need to complete gradings?
How often should I train?

About Shotokan training
Why Choose Shotokan?
What are the benefits of training in Karate-Do
What does a class involve?

About joining

What is the purpose of Karate-Do?
To develop character, self defence skills and fitness, & also sense of discipline, increased co-ordination and concentration.
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Do I need to be fit?
All levels of fitness are accepted. As part of your licensing you will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire to ensure you are medically fit to practice karate.
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Do I need any experience?
No previous experience is necessary, as you will be started with all the basic moves, irrespective of sex or age.
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How old do I need to be in order to train?
13 years old. Although exceptions may be made depending on a person's level & abilities but would be at the instructor's discretion.
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How do I join?
Please call in about 10 minutes before training starts and speak to the instructor.
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Do I need any special equipment or uniform?
No special equipment is needed other than a Karate suit (Gi) and belt, which can be purchased in any local martial arts shops.
Beginners may wear track suit bottoms and a t-shirt until confident enough to purchase a Karate-Gi.

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How do I know you are reputable with properly trained instructors?
Tanden Shotokan is affiliated to the ISI (Irish Shotokan Institute) & internationally to the SCI (Shotokan Cultural Institute).
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How much do classes cost?
Please see training fees page.
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About membership

Who is responsible for my child when they are training and are they insured?
The instructor(s) will take care of your child as long as they stay in the training area.
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What does my Membership pay for?
A membership fee pays for one year’s insurance cover. The insurance covers a member against accidental injury occurring during training. The membership/insurance costs €30 (under 18s & Students)/€50 (over 18s) from September to August the following year each year. It is renewable annually.
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About safety

Is Karate dangerous?
Karate is a contact martial art, however every precaution is taken to train with a controlled and non violent regime.
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Are the classes taken seriously?
Particular attention is paid to (practical) Dojo etiquette while training so that classes run smoothly & safely & all students can benefit from learning Karate-Do.


Dojo Etiquette:

Dojo (training hall) & Karate-Do should be treated with respect.

Training schedule should be observed and one should not be late for training.

Bow upon entering the Dojo. If you are late and the class has begun, stop at the door, kneel in the seiza position and await acknowledgement from the Sensei/Instructor.

There should be no eating, drinking or idle talking during training.

When the class begins, line up in straight lines in order or grades, starting with juniors grades to the left, looking to your right and to your front.

When a Sensei/Sempai gives you some advice listen carefully and sincerely. Do not forget to show that you have heard and understood the advice. Bow & say 'Oss'.

Always bow with appreciation and respect.

Raise your hand and say "Oss" when you wish to ask the instructor a question during class.

When you observe the training in the Dojo, kneel in seiza or stand quietly. Never lean against walls or slouch as this shows disrespect.

When the Sensei/Sempai calls for 'Mokuso' (concentration/meditation), close your eyes, breathe deeply from the lower stomach and try to achieve concentration.

Always try to keep your training clothes clean and tidy.

Keep your nails short to prevent injury to yourself or other students.

Jewellery, makeup & shoes should not be worn in the Dojo. Any rings or earrings that cannot be removed must be taped up to prevent injury.

If beginners and coloured belts have any questions before or after class they should ask the senior Karateka. It is important to study Shotokan always.

Bow upon leaving the Dojo. Remember that Shotokan always begins and ends with courtesy.


Consistent misbehaviour of students may lead to them being asked to leave the session, or if consistently causing problems, asked to leave the Dojo.
This is at the discretion of the instructor.
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About gradings

What are the different belts?
The different colour belts represent the level of karate you have achieved. They are referred to as kyu grades and dan grades.

9th kyu - White Belt
8th kyu - Orange Belt
7th kyu - Yellow Belt
6th kyu - Green Belt
5th kyu - Purple Belt
4th kyu – 2nd Purple
3rd kyu – 1st Brown Belt
2nd kyu – 2nd Brown Belt
1st kyu – 3rd Brown Belt
1st Dan - Black Belt

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What are gradings?
Approximately every four to five months of training a student can, if they wish, attempt their next level of grade. In the grading they will have to demonstrate their technical skills and ability to use those skills against an opponent.
Gradings are useful to guide a student up through various stages towards black belt and beyond and are useful for students who like to set goals with which to advance further. There are nine grades to attain before black belt.

No student is pushed into taking gradings and only if a student is ready is a grading assessment considered.

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How long do I need to train before undertaking a grading?
Gradings for kyu grades usually take place every four/five months, which students are encouraged to train for and undertake.
Gradings are however at the discretion of the instructors.

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Do I need to complete gradings?
Gradings are required, if you wish to progress through the belt system.
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How often should I train?
Two to three classes a week is the recommended frequency. More advanced students may even train 3-4 times per week to ensure faster progression. It takes approximately 5 years to become a black belt with regular training.

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About Shotokan training

Why Choose Shotokan?
Karate as an exercise system works on overall fitness, mobility, flexibility, stamina & strength; it also works on self-confidence, self-understanding, self-awareness, self-fulfillment & spirit.
Martial arts have a long and varied past, and the martial arts family has something for everyone, Shotokan Karate is famous for its power, which it gains from continuous contact with the ground, and use of the whole body whether in defense or attack.

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What are the benefits of training in Karate-Do
Apart from the obvious physical fitness advantages of a regular workout there are many good things that coincide with training in Karate. It provides a release for excess energy created by daily stresses. On the other side of the coin regular training can increase your overall levels of energy & concentration. Thus smoothing out the wrinkles of the highs & lows created by a stressful life.
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What does a class involve?
A Karate Class begins & ends with a short concentration-meditation period. There is a 10 minute warm up & stretching period – warming up the muscles & lubricating the joints to maximise mobility & minimise body stress. Breathing exercises similar to those in Yoga are used throughout training. The main body of the class is generally split between beginners & more advanced students with beginners focusing on moving graphically & correctly, learning the foundations of how to move in defense/attack, distance, timing & stance. This can focus on individual movement, with a partner, or with kicking pads & focus mitts. The movements can be repeated singly, combined in double & triple sequences, or learned in longer ‘dance patterns’ called kata or forms. There is a 5 minute cool down at the end of each class.

Classes are made up of the 3 fundamentals:
Kihon, Kata & Bunkai, Kumite & Goshindo.

Kihon = Repeated work on the basics of karate techniques to improve skills, including power, speed & stability.

Kata = Also know as forms, these are combinations of karate techniques representing a fight with several opponents. Bunkai takes certain techniques from a kata to work on applications of the technique in different situations with a partner(s).

Kumite = Sparring with one or more partner(s) to working on single/multiple attacks & defenses.

Goshindo = Self defence.
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