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Charleston Shotokan Karate Club
5 ★★★★★ 7 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Charleston, South Carolina
Part of Shotokan Karate (JKA)
Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule charlestonshotokan.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 843-460-8920
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–9 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Not only have my grandson and granddaughter developed excellent skills in karate, they have developed confidence, integrity, discipline, kindness, and excellent sportsmanship.”
“Sensai Taylor provides the perfect combination of structure and patience for my neurodivergent teen.”
“My adult and teen clients who have taken her self defense and community classes give glowing feedback and have reported feeling significantly more confident as a result.”
Other martial arts here
“My adult and teen clients who have taken her self defense and community classes give glowing feedback and have reported feeling significantly more confident as a result.”
What students say
“Sensei Taylor is an amazing, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable teacher.”
“We consider it a karate family, where the students treat each other like siblings.”
“We love the top-notch instruction the kids receive as well as the home-away-from-home they have found at the dojo and with their classmates and competition team.”
“I have been training with Sensei Taylor since I was young and have been a student of hers since the creation of Charleston Shotokan Karate Club.”
“Not only have my grandson and granddaughter developed excellent skills in karate, they have developed confidence, integrity, discipline, kindness, and excellent sportsmanship.”
From the reviews
My kids have been training at Charleston Shotokan Karate Club (CSKC) since opening day. Their time at CSKC has been wonderful! We love the top-notch instruction the kids receive as well as the home-away-from-home they have found at the dojo and with their classmates and competition team.
I have been training with Sensei Taylor since I was young and have been a student of hers since the creation of Charleston Shotokan Karate Club. I have gained so much confidence in myself and have made friendships that will last for years.
Charleston Shotokan Karate has been an incredible place for my daughter, who trained here for ten years. The instructors are highly skilled, professional, and dedicated to teaching not just Shotokan karate techniques but also values like discipline, respect, and perseverance.
This is not just a karate club. We consider it a karate family, where the students treat each other like siblings. Sensei Taylor is superb. She helps the students reach their full potential by really getting to know each and every one of them.
Your first Karate class at Charleston Shotokan Karate Club
Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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