Getting Started With Karate at Culture of Safety

If you or your child wants to get started with karate at Culture of Safety, it’s easy!  We have two main ways to start classes.  Both options are open to kids and adults.

Either way, you’re always welcome to take a free trial class before signing up.   If you’re registering for a Beginners’ Series, you can choose to either sign up after the first class, or take a free trial before the series begins.

Rolling Admission

  • Instant (or at least quick) gratification!   You can start karate next Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. See the full schedule for specific class times based on your (or your child’s) age.
  • More Individual Attention  Because you or your child may be one of the only beginners in the class, you’ll have the benefit of more individual attention.

Beginners’ Series

  • There’s safety in numbers: It can feel hard to be the only new person in a group.  The Beginners’ Series means you’ll start with a cohort
  • Included uniform:  The Beginners’ Series includes a free uniform
  • Time to Plan:  By signing up in advance for the Beginners’ Series, you give yourself the opportunity to have something coming up to look forward to!

How to Get Started

The first step is to schedule your free trial class by reaching out to us via the web (below), or phone/text (847-790-4226). We’ll put you on the calendar, and we’ll send you a reminder the day before. We have classes just for beginners as well as mixed-rank classes.  The mixed-rank classes are great opportunities to meet more of the training community, while the beginners-only classes can feel less intimidating to some folks.

What to expect in your first class

On the day of your free trial, we’ll ask you to arrive a few minutes early to get a tour of the space and fill out some paperwork.  We’ll also introduce you or your child to some of the other students.  Class starts when the gong rings.  Students line up by rank (on your first day, a new student stands on the far left), and then do a short seated meditation and a series of bows showing respect to the space, teachers, and students.

Class starts with a warmup.  On the first day, new students are introduced to basic punches, kicks, blocks, and karate stances.

At the end of class, students line up by rank again and bow out.  The bowing we do in karate is a traditional Japanese way of showing respect.

Signing Up

At the end of the first class, one of the head instructors will speak to you and see if you’d like to join our dojo (karate school).   If you’re ready to sign up, great!  You’ll choose your payment tier, get fitted for a uniform, and receive your welcome packet.  If you’d like to go home and think about it, that’s fine too.  We’ll reach out in the next few days over email to check in.

What makes Karate at Culture of Safety Different?

Our karate classes for kids focus first on the kids, then on the karate.  At Culture of Safety Dojo and Wellness Center, we know that each child comes to us with their own unique strengths and challenges. Our classes are all neurodivergent-affirming and LGBTQIA+-affirming  Learn more about our Kids karate program.

Our Adults & Teens program prioritizes making karate accessible for every body.  As part of our commitment to inclusivity and diversity, we teach from a body-positive, trans-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and trauma-aware perspective. Learn more about our Adult & Teen karate program.

 

Karate Interest Form