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:

Either way, you’re always welcome to take a free trial class before signing up.  In fact, we prefer it!  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 you (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 be surrounded by other beginners, which can feel less intimidating
  • 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!
  • Current Beginners’ Series registration for kids and teens (12+) and adults

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. You’ll be part of a group class, with a teacher that is working just with you and any other beginners.

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.  After warming up, the class separates into groups, and one teacher will work with the beginners as a second teacher works with more experienced students.  On the first day, 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 and get fitted for a uniform.  If you’d like to go home and think about it, that’s fine too.  Either way, we’ll reach out to you over the next few days with an email that reviews everything you need to know to get started.

Karate Interest Form