Karate is a system of self-defence originally developed and refined in Okinawa and Japan. The word Karate is formed from the Japanese words Kara and Te meaning empty hand. Shotokan Karate was established by the Okinawan master Gichin Funakoshi who introduced it to Japan, where it was developed extensively by Masatoshi Nakayama.
Gichin Funakoshi once wrote "As a mirror's polished surface reflects whatever stands before it and a quiet valley carries even the smallest sounds, so must a student of Karate render his mind empty of selfishness and wickedness in an effort to react appropriately towards anything he might encounter." This is the true meaning of Kara (empty).

Of students training today, 75% are children under the age of 15. This is mainly because Karate training has many benefits for children, especially the development of three important areas of their personality.

Self Confidence. Karate helps prepare a child for life. The children in our Karate classes know more is expected of them and with a little encouragement and support from their instructor and parents, they rise to the occasion.

Etiquette. Children are taught from the outset that Karate is primarily a defensive and not an offensive martial art. They learn to be polite and respect their fellow students, instructor and parents. Soon, they become aware that good manners consist of having consideration for other people.

Discipline. Children react to discipline very well and after a short period they develop self-discipline. Their concentration is enhanced as they focus their mind on the job in hand. Many parents notice a marked improvement in their child's powers of concentration.

Your training will be structured into three main sections:

Kihon (basic techniques), Kata (set sequences of techniques), and Kumite (sparring). Each section has a range of complexity to suit the different skill level or grades of students. Kumite will be introduced to you as basic blocking and counterattacking, but will ultimately lead you to freestyle fighting, where you will be taught to attack with, and defend against, unannounced attacks. When practiced together, the above will help to create a more rounded martial artist. They will teach how to do the basic movements (kihon), how to put movements together (kata) and how to use the techniques in "real life" situations (kumite).

Kihon are the basics of karate. The individual techniques themselves. Stances, blocks, strikes, kicks, etc. These movements are usually practiced one at a time in the beginning, moving up to multiple moves. They are also practiced in a static stance first, and then while moving.

Kata are the forms that a Shotokan practitioner will perform. They are pre-arranged sequences of attacks and defenses. Their purpose is to teach the martial artist the proper way to move while performing the techniques and how to put multiple techniques together.
When Gichin Funakoshi first formulated shotokan, all he taught were kata. There was no separate instruction in how to perform an individual technique. The students learned the techniques through the kata. There also was no kumite, as Funakoshi thought it was too violent.
Kumite is the one-on-one and one-on-many fighting that is practiced. The purpose of kumite is to teach the student how to perform his/her techniques with a live opponent, where as kata uses imaginary opponents.

The uniform of Shotokan karate (and most martial arts, for that matter) is the gi.
The gi is composed of a jacket, pants and a belt (obi). The gi should be treated with the same amount of respect as the dojo, as your teacher, as yourself. Your gi is your outward appearance for your art. The gi should not have holes or be dirty. The holes can be repaired and dirt should be washed out.
The gi should NEVER be left in a pile. When not being worn or washed, it should be hung up, folded or rolled up and tied with the belt.
After a while a student's gi may become worn from regular training and washing. Parts of the gi may also become discoloured from vigorous workouts.
The belt (obi) will also become ragged from being tied and untied, and from being tugged on. Although one washes ones gi, the belt is never washed.
Every class that you take, every drop of sweat, every little tear or abrasion is part of what goes into each student's unique experience. It is something to be remembered, but not clung to. Therefore no experience is washed away. The belt must tell its own story.

A grade is a measure of the level of attainment of a Karate student. Each grade is signified by a different coloured belt, starting with the White belt and progressing to Black. Below the black belt, grades are referred to as Kyu, which means 'boy'. Black belts are called Dans, which can translate as 'man' (this is all a little sexist, but remember that traditional Karate traces it's roots to a very male-dominated past).

Wearing a black belt is a great privilege, and carries a deal of responsibility. Fewer than 1 in 10000 people ever try their hand at a martial art. For every 1000 people who do begin Karate, fewer than 50 will achieve a Dan grade. Most will drop out before they achieve a senior grade (senior grades are 3rd Kyu - brown belt - and above).

Above this point the 'drop-out' rate is somewhat smaller, but still less than half those who achieve 3rd Kyu will eventually reach black belt.

Kaizen Shotokan students are entitled to take grading examinations, conducted by senior examiners after set periods, usually after every three months of training.
There is a grading syllabus for each level with coloured belts used to denote the grades.
With regular and correct training students can expect to achieve black belt standard within 4 to 5 years.