SHOTOKAN KARATE - for teens, ADULTS, & Seniors

Additional Class Fee Information:

Shotokan Karate offers discounts for families and for advanced payments:

For students paying for unlimited karate training (two or more training times per week)
* 6 months paid in advance: $960.00 ($30.00 savings)
* 12 months paid in advance: $1,860.00 ($120.00 savings)
Call Sensei Ty for details: 951-204-0341                                     

Fees are due promptly by the 1st of each month
There will be an additional fee of $15 for payments received after the 10th of each month

Payments are accepted in cash (always king), credit/debit cards, checks, and electronic debit (ACH) payments (ask if interested), and online payment apps.
Please make checks out to "DEFENSE ARTS CENTER".
There are no refunds or credited rollovers.

Zelle: Email address: TyAponte@yahoo.com  
Venmo : Email address: TyAponte@yahoo.com

Gift Certificates are available for 3 months of any of the classes we offer

Call Sensei Ty with any questions or concerns: 951-204-0341

Charter School Members: The DAC is a vendor with some Charter School Programs. Please inquire if interested in having your charter school enrolled.

Defense Arts Center Promotion

If you feel that you and/or your family members have benefited from training in this dojo, please take the time to share that with others and help promote the dojo and all the good that it can provide. Please encourage your friends, family members, and acquaintances to try one of the martial arts offered at our dojo. As a thank you, any DAC member who refers a new student who signs up for monthly classes will receive a 50% discount on their next month’s dues.

You can also help promote our dojo by writing positive reviews on Yelp or Facebook, and/or by submitting a testimonial to this website.

Updated 1/5/23 - All fees are subject to change.

Why Study Karate?

Self-Defense:
Practicing martial arts gives you the ability to defend yourself or your loved ones from people who would do you harm.

Physical Fitness:  
This activity forces you to use your whole body, which typically results in a high level of fitness. This is because of the often challenging nature of the workouts. In other words, you get out of martial arts what you put into it.  

Self-Confidence:  
Few activities in today's world require rites of passage. Rank advancement in martial arts allows students to develop self-confidence by meeting the challenge of each training session and setting reachable goals. The reward of advancement comes through rank testing, as well as seeing one’s own individual progress.

Self-Development:
The goal of the martial arts is to become a better person, developing the mind, body and spirit. Students can “seek perfection of character” by taking a holistic approach.

Fun:
This activity can be practiced by individuals working together, but unlike team sports, there is no such thing as "the best team." Everyone works at their own pace, and no one is rejected because they are not fast, strong or physically adept. 

What is Shotokan Karate?

Shotokan - Wikipedia Link

The style of karate which forms the foundation of our training is called Shotokan (Shoto was a pen name used by its founder, the venerable Gichin Funakoshi).

Its origins are from Okinawa, but it was later refined in mainland Japan. Our teaching style is balanced, placing equal emphasis on hand and foot techniques. In addition, students will also gain proficiency in Kihon (basics), Kata (prearranged movements using offensive and defensive techniques), Kumite (one step and free sparring), and self-defense.

Aside from the physical aspect, we strive to adhere to the principles, values, and philosophies of the budo arts.

Karate's Underlying Purpose

Karate should never be practiced solely for fighting. Unfortunately, as portrayed in the movies martial arts tend to exaggerate and glorify violence. The true purpose of the art is the nurturing of a sublime spirit; a spirit of humility and a greater awareness of one's self and others.

Karate's Objectives

Karate-do is founded on a tradition which seeks to fulfill three primary objectives apart from self defense. First is the promotion of good health and vitality. This is achieved by improving one's aerobic fitness, coordination, strength, flexibility, and reflexes. Second is a higher level of understanding of the art, both physically and intellectually, which includes the study of the culture, traditions and philosophy. Third, karate strives to cultivate and nurture a healthy attitude amoung its practitioners, shaping one's character by realizing the value of such traits as benevolence, courtesy, respect, humility, and recognizing the worth of all human beings. The student who preseveres will develop courage, self-control and self-discipline. If these three objectives are kept in view and looked to for guidance, karate becomes a learning process and an extremely valuable link in a person's general pattern of growth, development, and change throughout life, as well as an excellent means of prolonging that life by keeping physically fit.

Karate's Benefits

It is impossible to relate to you the full range and measure of benefits available. The training itself stands as the best testament to its worth and value. You will reach an optimum level of fitness, acquire the ability to defend yourself, and gain stability and peace of mind. The discipline and concentration will help you to achieve your fullest potential, and as students and instructors work together toward a desired goal, the training principals and values that karate has to offer serve not only to enrich our lives, but to influence a more positive lifestyle as well.

Karate for the Sport Minded

Karate is a sport of individual competition. Under strict and safe rules designed for competition, karate tournaments become an outstanding example of the skill resulting from the hard work and discipline necessary to master this art. In karate, in an effort to better ones self, a person competes more with him/her self than with others.

Karate for Yourself

Karate provides you with an escape from the day-to-day grind as well as an opportunity to do something for yourself. A newfound stamina, confidence, and a take-on-the-world enthusiasm accompany the development of karate skills. In addition to this, the ability to defend ones self is an important asset to anyone at any age. In today's society it is important for people to be self-reliant and independent. More and more women are finding karate to be the key to personal security and self-confidence.

Videos

Photos

Click any photo to open the viewer                                  
Click the upper right-hand X to return to this page