FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We are located at 36A Keerong Ave, Russell Vale, 2517, NSW. Look for the Russell Vale Community Hall, with a yellow sign out the front displaying Illawarra Karate.

You should wear loose fitting, sporting/activewear that you feel most comfortable in. Please, bring a water bottle and sweat towel as we normally take a break at the halfway point of the lesson.

Please look at our timetable tab at the top of the page to find the relevant information on times and days.

We offer all new students a period of 2 lessons as a free trial, to see whether you are happy with the lesson structure and what is taught. After this period, we discuss cost involved for training fees, registration and uniform.

We have no lock-in contract with any training fees. It is a pay as you train policy.

Our centres hold grading examinations three times per year. However, most people aim to grade two times per year. Many other schools hold gradings between 4 - 6 times per year. Having a belt around your waist is one thing, what you can actually do with while it is around your waist is very different. We have attendance, goal setting and belt tip programs in place with all of our class categories to keep you on track and motivated between grading examinations. 

Clubs promising programs such as black belts in 12 months or allowing several gradings per year are giving a false sense of security and not following the traditional methods. Yes it is nice to grade and progress, but we believe if it is worth doing it, it is worth doing right and working towards over an extended period. The traditional path may be longer, but the rewards are better and studies have shown that those training in a traditional martial art are more likely to stick at practicing after achieving black belt, than those who do not. 

Everything has good points and martial arts are no different. However if you are looking for a style that teaches effective self defence and uses training methods that are equally effective in achieving this, then we are for you. Whether you are in the Dojo, a tournament or out on the street, our experienced instructors will teach you everything from conflict resolution right through to effective take down and restraint holds against all manner of attack scenarios - including weapons. There is nothing overly fancy in our methods or techniques, we practice effective traditional Karate that actually works. We also acknowledge that if you are realistically going to be able to stand your ground against an attacker, you need to be in the best possible shape to ensure your skills work. Karate helps in keeping you fit, strong and healthy while you build your skills. If you are practicing martial arts and you are not in good shape and practicing methods you do not you believe would actually work, then you must be honest and ask yourself the ultimate question: why am I doing this? 

Our traditional methods, including Kata and application training, have survived centuries due to their effectiveness. Okinawa Karate is often referred to as the original mixed martial art as it includes so many versatile and unique training methods that it can easily adapt to most fighter types be in long distance, close quarters, both or ground fighters.