Little Dragons
This is a weekly class geared towards 4 and 5 year olds. Specific days & times for our 2024-2025 karate season will be updated by August 1, 2024. This class is designed to introduce your child to karate. Learning is gained through interactive games, training in basic karate techniques & forms and studying the basic history and teachings of Meibukan Gojyu karate. The purpose of our Little Dragons class is to use karate practice as a vehicle to build physical, mental and social skills. Physically, your child will work to develop coordination, strength, agility, balance and both gross and fine motor skills. Mentally, your child will work towards improving concentration, patience, focus, problem solving and self-confidence. Socially, children will learn responsibility for their actions, to work with others, learn discipline and be introduced to the basic moral precepts of the dojo. The Little Dragons Program is run in two sessions: September to December and January to April. (note: no classes during Spring Break)
Children's Beginner Class
(White Belts 6 years and up)
There are four classes available each week for this group. Your child will work on developing confidence and respect for oneself and others while learning self defence through the way of karate. Classes will focus on physical fitness, discipline, basic techniques and forms. The purpose of our beginner classes is to use karate practice as a vehicle to build physical, mental and social skills. Physically, your child will work to develop coordination, strength, agility, balance and both gross and fine motor skills. Mentally, your child will work towards improving concentration. Socially children will learn responsibility for their actions, how to work with others, learn discipline and be introduced to the basic moral precepts of the dojo.
Children's Intermediate Class
Yellow & Orange Belts
There are four classes available for this group. Your child will begin a more in-depth study of karate. Besides physical and mental growth, children work on developing character and leadership skills through personal challenge. The older children are encouraged to be role models for the younger ones. Responsibility and ethics are regularly discussed.
Children's Senior Class
Green Belts
There are four classes available each week for this group. This is a continuation of the children’s intermediate class in a positive yet disciplined environment. The children continue to progress in the art of karate as new skills are taught and earlier ones are refined. At this class level students begin their study of kata bunkai (application) to further enhance their self defence skills.
Children's Advanced Class
Blue to Junior Black Belt
There are four classes available each week for this group. At this level new techniques and kata will continue to be added. There will be greater stress on the development of leadership skills, personal and social responsibility. Students will begin to take a more active role in assisting the younger or less experienced children. Those who succeed to this level will often advance to black belt.
The spirit of traditional karate can be summarized in the final written words of the founder of Okinawa Gojyu karate, Master Chojun Miyagi, (1888-1953). “ Do not be struck by others. Do not strike others. The principle is peace without incident”. Children are taught to avoid confrontations if possible, to seek help from an adult and to only use their karate to protect themselves if absolutely necessary. Children are taught to strike, stab and slap with open hands to the soft points of the body. It is more practical that young children especially, understand they can be just as effective in protecting themselves using soft techniques rather than brute strength.
*Note 1: The aforementioned class divisions are currently in effect at the Meibukan Gojyu Karate Winnipeg Dojo, subject to change at the discretion of the Chief Instructor. Changes in class scheduling will only be made for the betterment of the overall student body.
*Note 2: There are no restrictions to the number of classes a student may attend per week.