About Chicago Shotokan

Chicago Shotokan is an affiliate of Shotokan Karate America (SKA), a nonprofit organization teaching traditional karate in the United States since 1955. Instructors at Chicago Shotokan strongly believe in SKA's mission to teach shotokan karate to anybody willing to learn. Hence, they freely donate their time and efforts to the organization and their students. The only costs associated with our practice are the access fee to the facility, and the membership fee to SKA.

About Our Practice

Shotokan karate involves a variety of techniques, including blocks, punches, kicks, evasions, throws, and joint manipulations. Shotokan employs a small set of highly refined techniques intended to quickly subdue an opponent or set of opponents. Practice does not emphasize tournament sport, but rather rigorous, traditional training.

Karate practice is divided into three aspects:

Karate practices at Chicago Shotokan primarily follow an ongoing training format. There is no concept of a time period or season for karate. Members meet all year round to practice. Traditional karate emphasizes constant refinement of technique and of the self. The multi-faceted nature of this type of training allows senior members to practice side-by-side with beginners. While the beginner focuses on becoming comfortable with the basic technique or form, the senior member will concentrate on more complex or subtle aspects, always seeking to maximize effectiveness and economy of movement. This provides an excellent and unique training environment in which junior members are always driven to excel by strong example and in which seniors can never neglect the basic elements of form that are they very foundation of karate.

Practice Schedule

Practices during the week are available at Southwest Chicago Shotokan

Practice Location

Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center (Map)
3003 W. Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645

Fees

Dojo Dues

The facility we practice at charges the following access fees:

For information about access fees charged by the Bernard Horwich JCC, please visit there website at http://www.jccofchicago.org/.

SKA Dues

Membership in SKA costs $75 for your first year, and $100 a year for renewals.

Membership in Shotokan Karate of America is required to participate in our practices. Membership in SKA includes kyu tests (tests for rank), the opportunity to participate in special events, and the privilege of practicing at SKA dojos across the country and at its international affiliates. New members are welcome to try a few practices first before committing to join SKA.