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Charlottesville Shotokan Karate Club
5 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Charlottesville, Virginia
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
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes (ages 7) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule cvillekarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 434-409-2126
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
The classes they run
“The instructors are amazing - they teach with such passion and expertise but make it fun for everyone, too, adults and kids alike.”
“The class starts with a warm-up with all of the students and afterwards they are put into two groups – the beginners and the more advanced.”
“Training with Sensei Dave and Sensei Ellen to improve my skills and katas is one of the best decisions I've made during my time here in Charlottesville.”
“Ellen and Dave do an excellent job balancing fun, fitness, camaraderie, self-defense, discipline, and the many other aspects of martial arts.”
Other martial arts here
“Ellen and Dave do an excellent job balancing fun, fitness, camaraderie, self-defense, discipline, and the many other aspects of martial arts.”
What students say
“Sensei Ellen and Sensei Dave run a great karate dojo!”
“The club is highly affordable and extremely welcoming of students with any kind of experience and strives to make sure each student receives a lot of value through it's classes.”
“Highly recommended karate classes: I've trained with the Charlottesville Shotokan Karate club for a year and am amazed to have found such a warm supportive environment and people.”
“Even in the Zoom classes the senseis will watch me (and the other students) in the camera and correct form, or tell me to kick higher.”
“I've been mostly remote for covid, but they always make the Zoom classes worthwhile: great workout plus individual feedback.”
“Highly recommended karate classes: I've trained with the Charlottesville Shotokan Karate club for a year and am amazed to have found such a warm supportive environment and people.”
From the reviews
Highly recommended karate classes: I've trained with the Charlottesville Shotokan Karate club for a year and am amazed to have found such a warm supportive environment and people. I got introduced to karate here and am now eager to continue pursuing karate even after moving out of Charlottesville.
The senseis are great at working with students of all different ages and abilities. I've been mostly remote for covid, but they always make the Zoom classes worthwhile: great workout plus individual feedback.
I have trained with the Charlottesville Shotokan Karate Club for almost ten years highly recommend this club. Anyone from young children to senior adults can train at this traditional karate club.
This is a great place to learn a martial art. Ellen and Dave do an excellent job balancing fun, fitness, camaraderie, self-defense, discipline, and the many other aspects of martial arts. It is a welcoming environment for those new to karate while remaining challenging and engaging for experienced practitioners.
New to Karate? Start at Charlottesville Shotokan Karate Club
Charlottesville Shotokan Karate Club comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first Karate class at Charlottesville 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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