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- Junior Anshin Ryu Karate: Ages 5 to 15
- Senior Anshin Ryu Karate: Ages 15 and up (with students even in their 70s!)
- Matayoshi Kobudo: Starting from age 14
Join us at any age and experience the benefits of martial arts training tailored to your stage of life!
The benefits in training in the martial arts are vast. Some are:
- improving physical fitness,
- giving personal improvement in character,
- self-discipline,
- confidence,
- motivation,
- respect and
- self-esteem.
In addition to those above you will learn how to defend yourself in today's society, and having a network of martial art friends
Yes, you can start right away!
We don’t have set start dates, so you can begin whenever you're ready. Plus, we offer your first two lessons free of charge, allowing you to experience both Karate and Kobudo before committing to membership. Enjoy two free lessons in each system to see if it’s the right fit for you!
Anshin Ryu Karate is a martial art focused on empty-hand techniques, where students develop self-defense skills through consistent training.
Matayoshi Kobudo, on the other hand, is a traditional weapons system that teaches students to use various weapons derived primarily from Okinawan farming tools. This discipline complements and enhances the student's knowledge of empty-hand techniques, providing a well-rounded martial arts experience.
Regular training classes in both systems are held at:
St Columba's Church Hall,
Clifton Ave,
Darlington DL1 5EE
Students of Karate wear a white Gi (Karate Suit), those of Kobudo a Black Gi Jacket and White Trousers.
However, beginners can wear anything that is loose and flexible, such as T-shirt and track suit or jogging bottoms. They then have up to their first grade to get a suit. We do not wear anything on our feet.
There are 2 main Sensei who are Nationally and Internationally recognised, and all have coaching qualifications. There are also Shidoin (assistant Instructors) in Karate and Kobudo. In addition, several Senpai (senior grades) help the students in the various aspects of their training. Our chief Instructor has a wealth of experience in martial arts, has competed at national levels and also trained and graded in Okinawa, Japan. Furthermore, he is still training and expanding his knowledge!
As a new student it is always important to ask this question, because we are teachers and coaches, and therefore we should have the respective qualifications. The Chief Instructors and Assistant Instructors have the appropriate recognised certification for the black belt grade they hold in their Martial Arts. Our instructors are also regularly Enhanced DBS checked. In addition, they have insurance, first aid and safeguarding qualifications in place to teach their martial arts. Furthermore, the Chief Instructor is regularly expanding his knowledge from his Sensei, therefore constantly improving and passing down his knowledge to the students.
Most Lessons are 1 hour long but on the Thursday night they are 1.5 hrs long. This then provides longer warmups and the instructor can spend more time on detail, especially in advance techniques.
- The Anshin Karate classes are broken down into a lesson curriculum, whereby the class is arranged into warm-ups, followed by syllabus from the student's next belt, then a featured topic, then finally either free style fighting or Bunkai (partner drills). They also learn theory, philosophy and history to the art.
- The Matayoshi Kobudo is based around syllabus work and featured weapons, such as Bo (Staff), Nunchaku (Flail), Tunkua (Side Handle Baton), Sai (Trident Dagger), Nunti Bo (Gavel) and Ueku (Oar) etc. They also learn theory, philosophy and history to the art.
All martial arts equipment can be purchased at various retail outlets, such as Playwell, Biltz Sport, or Cimac. The student can also look on the internet, such as Amazon or eBay. However, please ask Sensei before purchasing just in case the incorrect item is obtained.
Grading times are every 3 months for Anshin Ryu until the student reaches a certain level, then it becomes every 6 months. The grading day is held in Darlington 4 times per year. However, the student needs to be of a certain standard before they can grade. With Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan it is based on the times as set down by MKKI Honbu dojo. We believe that standards should always come first before grading, which makes you a good martial artist. It's not about obtaining the next belt! Sensei says:
"it is always better to have a high standard yellow belt than a poor standard green belt."
This depends upon the school you wish to train in, that is either Anshin Ryu Karate, or Matayoshi Kobudo. Also some members train across the disciplines, for example they may train in Karate and Kobudo, or if they are a family then the parents could train in Karate and Kobudo, while the children in Anshin Ryu Karate. So it depends on the members preference. However, if it is a family then we do have extremely good discounts for training.
On top of this subscription is the annual Association Fees to either BMABA (for Karate and Kobudo) and the MKKI Association (for Kobudo). These are set by the respective Organisation. Because these prices may change prior to the updating of the website, it is best to enquire for current cost, so please contact:
Fred Bateman on Tel - 07807827978; or email - sensei.fredbateman@gmail.com