Welcome to Foothill Shotokan Karate-Do

Thank you for your interest in our karate dojo as part of the Auburn Recreation District’s community service program and Shotokan Karate of America.

Shotokan karate distinguishes itself as a martial art form with a direct lineage to Japan, Okinawa and ancient China. The training encompasses physical, mental and spiritual elements. Beginning students are taught to master basic techniques including kicks, blocks, punches, kata forms and basic controlled sparring. More advanced techniques, strategies and applications are taught as your skill improves.

You can discover your own strengths and weaknesses through consistent training — known in traditional martial arts as “facing one’s self.” No matter what level we attain, each of us continues to polish and develop our strength of character. Ultimately, our goal is to push aside our weaknesses in times of stress and draw upon our strengths.

Foothill Shotokan is sanctioned by Shotokan Karate of America. SKA is a non-profit organization founded in 1956 by Tsutomu Ohshima and has grown into a multinational organization. Mr. Ohshima was one of the last students of Master Funakoshi, widely recognized as the father of modern karate and responsible for bringing the art from Okinawa to Japan in 1922. Mr. Ohshima still leads SKA from his home and central dojo on a beautiful hilltop in Santa Barbara. For more about the fascinating history of karate and SKA visit ska.org.

At Foothill Shotokan Karate in Auburn,  you can learn karate as it’s been taught in the United States for more than 50 years and in Asia for centuries before that—as a unique school of self-improvement through rigorous and focused training. Our training emphasizes karate as an art not a sport. We remain true to the traditional methodology handed down from master to master and generation to generation.

Foothill Shotokan holds weekly training on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the ARD gym located at 123 Recreation Drive. Senior practice (by invitation) is on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Regional Park Gym off Richardson Drive. We welcome anyone to visit and practice with us.  Our monthly fees are managed though the Auburn Recreation District, and are extremely competitive, as Shotokan Karate of America is a non-profit organization.  For current monthly fees and to sign up, go to the ARD website at auburnrec.com and search the activity guide for class 4510.

Those wishing to join SKA pay an annual fee of $100.  First time members pay $75 for the first year.  Joining the association entitles you to a beginner’s handbook containing resource information and access to the SKA website for members.  In addition, you will become eligible to attend special training, test for ranks, and receive a newsletter with articles covering recent events, activities, notes on training, and SKA related apparel from the central dojo store.

The only additional cost to members is the purchase of a gi (white uniform).  The gi is white and comes in three weights or thicknesses, light, tournament, and heavy duty.  They range in price starting at around $25-$30.  Each comes with a white belt.  Gis are available from the Dojo gi manager.  In SKA there are five white belt ranks or Kyu, three for brown, and five black ranks.  Seniority is established primarily by starting date, but also by rank and number of special training programs attended.

Compare these fees to what you pay monthly at a flashy storefront dojo and you will not find any dojo with the level of expertise that Foothill Shotokan provides at a more reasonable cost.

As with any martial art program, students are encouraged to maintain discipline.  A senior black belt leads the class, and all training exercises are explained, demonstrated, and conducted in a manner most conducive to learning and to minimize injury.  Traditional martial art forms of respect are practiced, including bowing at the door, beginning and ending each practice with rei (a bow), and students must bow when asking a senior a question about training.  Gis must be kept clean and in good repair, and respect for one another is expected.  Physical as well as mental and spiritual elements are what distinguish SKA from many other art forms.  Members compete against themselves, working to understand their capabilities and limits.

Once again, welcome to Foothill Shotokan. We look forward to training with you.