Welcome to Kenshinkan Martial Arts. Thanks for visiting our web site - this page tells you all you need to know about Kenshinkan Martial Arts JuJitsu club in Otley and the Wetherby Karate Club.

Come and see us for a chat - or come to the club and try it! - the first lesson is always free so you can give it a go for nothing  - the first step is the hardest and that's walking through the door!

Download this document and the charges sheet 

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Who are the instructors? The club has two main instructors - Sensei Mike and Clare Hooker (Husband & Wife) who both hold the grades of 3rd DAN (Degree) Black Belts in Shukokai Karate as well as being 3rd DAN Black Belts in Ju-jitsu.

Mike and Clare are students also ! and train twice a week at the Goshin-Ryu Dojo of Master Steve Barnett in Harrogate and at the Leeds dojo of the Yorkshire Judo Association, with Godan Gary Donaghue (5th DAN).where they are currently working their way towards the Judo Dan grades.

Both Mike and Clare have great experience in teaching Karate and JuJitsu, gathered over many years training in many different Martial arts. Originally Mike started Aikido in Scotland, but after moving to Yorkshire Clare and Mike joined a local Shukokai Karate Club (under the SKU) where they completed their 2nd DAN examination.

During Karate Training Mike also started Judo training and Jujitsu training, going to several clubs before becoming a member of Steve Barnet's Black Belt Academy in Harrogate. Clare also then started training in JuJitsu and both Mike and Clare rapidly make their way to 2nd Degree Black Belt in April 2003 and in October 2006 where promoted to 3rd DAN.

When do we meet ?. The club meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 18:15 in Wetherby for Karate training (Crossley Street Primary School). The Kenshinkan JuJitsu club meets Saturdays (Starting 25/2/06) at the Otley Methodist Church, Nelson Street) at 10am for Kid-Jitsu, Children friendly Martial Arts and at 11am for Defence JuJitsu for adults. Click the links (blue underlined text) for more details on the locations.

Later in the year we will be starting Karate training at the Goshin Ryu's new centre in Harrogate. Keep checking back for information on when these training sessions will start. !

How much is it? We try to keep the costs down for students are far as we can to make taking up training as easy and cheap as possible.

·         We don't charge a massive joining fee

·         We don't insist you buy loads of equipment straight away

·         You don't have to become a club member or an association member until you need need to.

·         The first training lesson is always free !!

Membership of Kenshinkan Martial Arts costs only £12 per year and covers membership of both the Jujitsu and Karate clubs. Members receive a newsletter every 2 months and fees go towards use of all the club training aids (Focus mitts, impact pads, mats etc) and towards the costs of prodcing the newsletters and the web site.

We ask people to become members when they commit to training - usually after 1 month, membership is annual and is renewed every January (pro rata if joining within the year).

Mat fees or weekly training fees are £5 per session for Karate and £4.50 per session for JuJitsu. When students train in both Karate and Ju-jitsu they get a £1.50 per session discount off the JuJitsu cost. We don't ask for you to pay in advance, pay on arrival at the club.

There are some costs associated with Grading and licensing with our governing body association, Goshin Ryu International, these are not required until students are ready to grade – usually 3-4 months after beginning training. The licence Book and Association membership is £15.00 for adults and £12.00 for kids - but as above you don't need to worry about this for 3-4 months 

We have a full cost sheet, which is provided to all new students when you come for the first time.

Can I train once or Twice a week? Presently the Jujitsu club only meets once a week - however the Karate club runs on 2 nights. Students can train twice a week or once, whichever suits, however we would recommend training twice per week as this lets students progress at a reasonable pace. Students can also train in both JuJitsu and Karate which complement each other very well.

Do I need lots of equipment? You do not need lots of equipment but you will need some. There are some things that are mandatory for Karate, such as Gum shields (£2.50) and sparring mitts (£15). Other equipment is advisory (Groin Protectors (£15), Shin and instep protectors (£12) and for ladies, chest protectors {£15}) but students make thier own mind up about these. We also spar in Jujitsu so it is best to get your own sparring mits for JuJitsu also.

You will also need a Gi or Suit. For Karate these are white and for Ju-Jitsu black is more commonly used (because we spend much more time falling on mats so the Gi does not look dirty). These are available via the instructor or from Martial Arts Supply shops the price varies with size but average circa £15-20.

Measuring your Progress – The taking of Grading tests is the normal way of assessing your progress. Students usually grade at the end of 3 months training (or 20 attendance’s), but we are all different and this may vary (if training only once per week this is 6 months).

It is not compulsory to grade, but in order to achieve the Black Belt there has to be some bench mark of technical expertise and grading are the traditional way. Grading can be stressful, but overcoming this is also part of a student’s progression and shows how the student can operate when under pressure.

Karate & Ju-jitsu Gradings up to brown belt are taken in the club. Senior gradings are taken by Master Steve Barnet 10th DAN, Chief Instructor/Founder of Goshin Ryu International.

Students must be licensed with the governing organisation in order to grade, that is Goshin-Ryu International. Please see the instructor for Licence Application Forms. The licence Book and Association membership is £15.00 for adults and £12.00 for kids - but as above you don't need to worry about this for 3-4 months 

Grading Policy for Karate

Grading Policy for JuJitsu

How old do you need to be ? – Anyone from 5 upwards can train for Karate and 6 upwards for JuJitsu – there is no upper age limit :-) - in Leeds we vave a Judo Student that is 77 years old - won his Black Belt last year !

Come along and try it ! - its always free for the first lesson so you can come in see if you like the club and us with no obligation—the hardest step is the first !

Newsletters & Courses – Kenshinkan takes part in many courses both with Karate and Goshin Ryu Ju-Jitsu. These are announced in the monthly newsletters, which are provided free to keep students informed of what’s going on within the club.

Student Awards – At intervals through-out the year the club provides an award to the student who has shown the qualities looked for in martial arts and who has shown great improvement in their training. The student award winners go onto the web site - visit it by clicking  here to see some past winners.

What does KenshinKan mean? – Kenshinkan means – “the development of the spirit by the means of the fist”. People train in Martial Arts for many reasons at Kenshinkan our aims are…..

*Do our best to be the best we can be

*Do our best to be truthful & honest

*Always do our best

*To honour the principles of the Martial Arts

*Be courageous not reckless

*To always respect ourselves and others

*Be Dynamic can-do people

These principles show in how we train and the respect that we show each other.  We train hard but safely, everyone is encouraged to push themselves as far as possible - but to remain within their own limits. Bullying or inappropriate dangerous behaviour cannot be tolerated – students who use the techniques taught inappropriately will not remain part of Kenshinkan.

Do I have to spar ? Sparring and training with a partner is vital to gain techniques and to properly master the concepts of Karate and Ju-Jitsu. Training with partners is introduced step by step to allow students to gain experience gradually and safely in a non-threatening manner.  Many students do not relish sparring but with correct and gradual teaching often come to find that it is one of the most rewarding elements of the martial arts. 

SAFETY IS VITAL – Only carry out techniques for which you have been trained. And NEVER show the things you have been taught outside the Dojo. Safety of yourself and your partners during training should be at the forefront of your mind at ALL times.

Read our Health & Safety Policy

Read our Child Protection Policy

Is it very strict? - We are very disciplined within the club to ensure that everyone stays safe, discipline is an intrinsic part of martial arts, and self discipline is one of the key enablers when developing the standards we strive for. However we always want training to be enjoyable and fun, we have a laugh where appropriate and like to see & hear students encouraging each other.

There is no place for misplaced ego and excessive force during training

Download our guide to Dojo Etiquette and the rules of training

Competitions. Kenshinkan students can compete in various competitions if they wish (no student has to compete). In Ju-Jitsu under Goshin Ryu there are also grappling competitions available as well as Vale Tudo competitions.

“A thousand mile journey begins with one step”

 Enjoy your training.  It should be fun as well as rewarding. If you ever have any problems, no matter how small you may think, speak to your teacher (Sensei). Traditionally Martial Arts Teachers are very paternal to their students and will go out of their way to assist you & give advice.