Best Karate Classes in Bristol

The term fitness is a relative thing. One person's fitness is another person's fatness. Whatever your base of personal fitness (however defined) it will be improved with the exercises we do. General warm-ups are performed, along with specific stretching and every reasonable care is taken to ensure that people work at or a little above their own personal pace.

If that's what you want then there are places to find it. Personally, we are not convinced this approach adds much to the learning experience. Techniques will be taught that can do injury if used offensively, although you will learn them at distances that are appropriate to your personal level of skill. You will be learning the art of what a Chinese General, Sun Tsu, in 500bc phrased "the art of war is to render your opponent incapable before you have to fight him". Karate, as practised in Zenshin dojo, is all about stopping the fight before it starts.

For the first part of your karate journey, we concentrate on skills which can be characterised as evading or moving and counter-attacking. Later we introduce you to techniques which can be really effective in a domestic physical violence confrontation, should you ever be unfortunate enough to be in such a position. Techniques, form and posture are important and taught in a way which encourages the individual to maximise their potential. There is a recognition that, although "body shapes and techniques" are important, so too is the understanding and spirit that students only experience through regular practice.

Karate as taught at Zenshin dojo, like other traditional forms, has a more personal philosophy and is not a sport. Although a healthy and natural desire to do well when compared to others is often present, the only real competition is with yourself!