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Japan Karate Institute James Island
5 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Charleston, South Carolina
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 3–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule jkijamesisland.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 843-754-3074
Hours
| Monday | 6 pm–12 am |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | 12–6:30 am, 5–5:30 pm, 5:45–7:45 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“From adults just looking to improve their physical fitness to kids learning focus, self-control, and a fun sport, I would recommend JKIJI to everyone!”
“Just attended a Women’s Self Defense seminar this eventing - seminar was offered free of charge (2 1/2 hours of training).”
“Just attended a Women’s Self Defense seminar this eventing - seminar was offered free of charge (2 1/2 hours of training).”
“Great for beginners as well as experienced karate students.”
Other martial arts here
“Just attended a Women’s Self Defense seminar this eventing - seminar was offered free of charge (2 1/2 hours of training).”
What students say
“Sensei Mixon is a wonderful instructor, and is especially patient with the littlest ninjas.”
“Japan Karate Institute James Island is an outstanding, family-oriented martial arts school teaching traditional Wado-Ryu karate to people of all ages and abilities.”
“From adults just looking to improve their physical fitness to kids learning focus, self-control, and a fun sport, I would recommend JKIJI to everyone!”
From the reviews
Just attended a Women’s Self Defense seminar this eventing - seminar was offered free of charge (2 1/2 hours of training). First: incredibly generous of the owner (Sensei) to offer this seminar on an annual basis - FREE of charge!
This has been a god-send for my daughter & I. We have been coming for a little over a month and I must say I am highly satisfied. The instructors are amazing especially with the children! They not only teach self defense but they teach life lessons as well, discipline being the biggest lesson.
Japan Karate Institute James Island is an outstanding, family-oriented martial arts school teaching traditional Wado-Ryu karate to people of all ages and abilities. Sensei Theraun Mixon is a valuable mentor to his students and has cultivated a dojo where people enjoy training.
I, along with six of my siblings ranging in ages 5-14, have been training at JKI for about a year now and I can easily say it has been a fantastic experience for all of us.
New to Karate? Start at Japan Karate Institute James Island
Japan Karate Institute James Island 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 Japan Karate Institute James Island
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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