The Dojo Will Be Closed Until at least May 31st. We will be offering online Training Sessions via Zoom in the meantime. Email us to join.

Children's Karate Classes

Class Offerings
We offer two classes for children: Tiny Tigers (ages 5-6) and an older Children's Class (ages 7+). 
Younger children will be considered on a case by case basis for the Tiny Tiger's class. Please inquire.
​  • Youth, ages 12 and up, are invited to join our General/Adult class sessions, depending on size, maturity, and where they feel most comfortable.

TINY TIGERS
(ages 5-6)
Tuesdays & Thursdays
6:00pm-6:30pm

CHILDREN'S CLASS
(ages 7-12)
Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:30pm-6:30pm

Monthly Tuition
Regular children's class is for three classes per week (2 weekday (1hr each + Saturday (1.5 hrs)).
Tuition for Tiny Tigers is for 2 days per week (30 minutes each). 
Please see our tuition schedule.

Benefits
Through Karate instruction in a caring environment, your child will receive these benefits:

• Learn Basic Concepts of Self-Defense, Anti-Bullying, and Stranger Awareness
• Improved Cardiovascular Fitness
• Development of Coordination, Flexibility, Strength, Balance, and Good Posture
• Improved Ability to Focus
• Learn the Value of Working Towards and Achieving Goals
• Improved Self-Esteem and Respect for Self and Others
• Make new Friends

What to expect
In our children's classes, we teach agility, coordination, timing, and strength exercises through a series of age appropriate drills, games, kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) with emphasis on good technique, breathing, and right attitude.

We are not overly militaristic, but we do show respect to the Sensei and to each other by bowing at the beginning  and end of class and to our training partners in drills. We expect that students will be on time to class and give maximum effort while present. 

We follow a typical Traditional Karate belt ranking system. Readiness for testing will be determined by the Sensei and is based on the length of time training, student's general progression and learning of kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), coordination and timing, and kumite (sparring) skills. 

Ranking
​Our ranking system consists of 10 kyu (pre-black belt grades) and then proceeds to Dan level (Black Belt).
Kyu Levels

• 10th kyu (White)          Beginner
• 9th kyu (Yellow)           Kata: Taikyoku 1-3
• 8th kyu (Orange)          Kata: Heian Shodan
• 7th kyu (Blue)               Kata: Heian Nidan
• 6th kyu (Green)            Kata: Heian Sandan
• 5th kyu (Purple)           Kata: Heian Yondan
• 4th kyu (Purple)           Kata: Heian Godan
• 3rd kyu (Brown)           Kata: Tekki Shodan
• 2nd kyu (Brown)          Kata: Tekki Nidan, Bassai Dai
• 1st kyu (Brown)            Kata: Tekki Sandan, Kanku Dai

*Exam Fees for kyu grade tests range from $30-$55. 

Dan Levels (Black Belt Level)

• Shodan (1st degree Black Belt)          Kata: Empi, Join, Jutte
• Nidan (2nd degree Black Belt)           Kata: Hangetsu, Gankaku, Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho
• Sandan (3rd degree Black Belt)         Kata: Sochin, Chinte, Ji'in, Nijushiho
• Yondan (4th degree Black Belt)         Kata: Meikyo, Unsu, Wankan
• Godan (5th degree Black Belt)          ​ Kata: Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho

Ranking continues to 10th degree Black Belt, which is generally reserved for the founder of a style or system.  
*Dan Level candidates are notified of the testing fee when invited to test

Tournament Competition Opportunities
There are numerous opportunities year round throughout the Bay Area and beyond to compete in Traditional Karate tournaments. Training at the Benicia Shotokan Karate Academy will prepare students for tournament competition, if interested. See upcoming tournament and seminar training opportunities here. 

Please email us or call us at (707) 745-1275 to learn more. ​