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Shotokan Karate of Hampton Roads
4.6 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Newport News, 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 — 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 shotokanvirginia.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 757-329-0358
Hours
| Monday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 5–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I initially brought my daughter it to get familiar with Martial Arts and after a couple of months I decided to join myself.”
“Training is traditional Japanese karate, with emphasis on strong basic techniques applicable to self-defense, kata and the overall improvement of the whole person.”
“Training is traditional Japanese karate, with emphasis on strong basic techniques applicable to self-defense, kata and the overall improvement of the whole person.”
Other martial arts here
“Training is traditional Japanese karate, with emphasis on strong basic techniques applicable to self-defense, kata and the overall improvement of the whole person.”
What students say
“Sensei Pohle is an amazing human being with a big heart and passion for teaching discipline that reflects his many years of experience.”
“I have been training with Sensai Pohle for almost three years, he and all the associate instructors are awesome, friendly, patient and very inviting.”
“Training is traditional Japanese karate, with emphasis on strong basic techniques applicable to self-defense, kata and the overall improvement of the whole person.”
“This is not sport karate oriented to tournaments, this is a Martial Art for people of all ages and levels of athleticism.”
“Unlike the many commercialized schools where you'll get a black belt in a year without actually learning anything, here you will get the real deal - traditional shotokan karate.”
“Sensei Pohle is an amazing human being with a big heart and passion for teaching discipline that reflects his many years of experience.”
From the reviews
Sensei Pohle is the chief instructor of the dojo, and he is the one who introduced me to Shotokan Karate when I started at the William and Mary Shotokan Karate Club in 2013. The years I trained with Sensei were in many ways defining in my life.
My daughter came across this Dojo while searching for a place to practice karate. She was very interested in traditional Karate. We are very pleased with what she’s been able to accomplish so far.
The best karate dojo I have ever trained at. Unlike the many commercialized schools where you'll get a black belt in a year without actually learning anything, here you will get the real deal - traditional shotokan karate.
I started training here 16 years ago even though it's much further from my home than other dojo. I found Sensei Pohle to be welcoming to those with prior experience, and allowed me to train right away, at my level, and when I tested I was placed where I needed to be, not at the next belt after white.
New to Karate? Start at Shotokan Karate of Hampton Roads
Shotokan Karate of Hampton Roads 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 Shotokan Karate of Hampton Roads
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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