At Shotokan Karate of Whittier you will learn a comprehensive self defense martial art. Head instructor and third degree black belt, Chuck Williamson, has 30 years of training and practical fighting experience. Chuck has a keen insight into how to apply karate basics and kata techniques to real life street fighting situations. You will learn distance fighting, grappling, joint locks, throws and ground techniques as you progress through your training.

Here is an example of how a kata may be performed during practice or for a belt test.

And here is an example of how the abstract principles of the kata techniques may be applied in a combat situation against an opponent. There are certain principles that are helpful when studying how to interpret the abstract kata techniques to real life practical fighting applications.

Kata needs to be explored and studied in order to learn the deeper and richer applications that are not always evident by practicing kata by oneself. 

Kata techniques can be used in sequence like the above videos as an effective strategy to defend yourself, and they can also be used individually if the opportunity presents itself.

Images from the kata can be isolated and used as a practice tool, either from modern pictures or from ancient drawings. Once the fight has began, a block may be utilized at a distance and then one closes the gap to execute another technique if the opportunity arises. Here are some examples that could be related to the above kata video.

This is also a great place to train since there are numerous times one can come in during the day. You can start the day with a 6:30 morning class, come in the afternoon or also in the evening.

*Currently practices are: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at 6:30am, and Tuesday, Thursday nights at 8:30pm. Sunday practices can be scheduled.