FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions (And answers)

YES.  We, at JKS, provide an environment designed to help children develop independence and skills applicable to their daily lives.  Learning that they can do things on their own -– sometimes even hard things -- builds the resilience that is essential when it comes to their future physical and mental well-being.

Dropping your child off is a win-win—it gives you a little time to yourself while your child learns and grows more confident in class. Then, when they’re ready, they can have the fun of showing you what they’ve learned!

We know trying something new can feel a little overwhelming, and some children need a bit of extra support at first. You’re welcome to come in and help your child settle. Once they’re comfortable, a cheerful “Have fun in class! I’ll be back soon” can help them feel confident heading in on their own.

“Kyoshi” means “Master Teacher.” We have one in our school: Kyoshi John.

“Sifu” means “One-in-Charge” or “School Principal,” and she is Sifu Elyse.

“Sensei” means “Teacher,” and we have a few. They will let you know who they are.

“Sempai” means “Teacher-in-Training.” We have a few of those too.

“Coach” means “Coach.”

If you have trouble remembering these terms, no problem. We’ll help you learn the proper names of everyone. When in doubt, it is always polite to address an instructor as “Sensei.”

That’s okay! We understand. We do light touch continuous sparring with full padding. It’s important to learn how to deal with contact, as it’s a part of learning self-defence. But don’t worry, we’ll go at your pace.

It’s important for me to know I’m in a place where I’m safe if I sustain an injury.

All of our head instructors are CPR and First Aid trained and certified.

We do, but it’s not our focus. If the focus were on competition, we would get distracted from why we are learning the martial arts: to build character, learn fundamental life skills, and become peaceful warriors. Competitions are fun, but we do our kicks and punches to learn how to defend ourselves—not to win trophies. That being said, we do know that having fun needs to be a part of your martial arts journey. So if competition is your thing, we have an annual gathering and in-house, inter-school competition opportunities throughout the year.

How about watching a movie in your very own dojo AND getting to have pizza and popcorn? We hold various movie nights throughout the year. Wear your pyjamas, bring your pillows, and settle down for a fun time. Parents, you get the night to yourself (note: we do not do sleep-over parties for safety reasons).

We do! Once you’ve trained with us for a few months, you may be invited to join our team. We have weekly practices and love to participate in various community events. We like to support our town.

Yes, they can! With Sifu Elyse’s Psychology degree and Social Work experience, and Kyoshi John’s vast experience in the martial arts, we tailor a program for your child. Karate is extremely beneficial for children with ASD or with attention deficits. The best thing about our school is that our education is used to make sure your child’s martial arts experience is a positive one.

Martial artists, love to brag about their instructors and martial arts experience. So, you’ve probably heard about other schools in the area. That’s why it is very important to be educated when choosing the right school for you. 

What is your martial arts goal? Is it Black Belt? If so, make sure the school you choose is invested in getting you there. Maybe your goal has nothing to do with Black Belt but is more about learning discipline and self-defence. In that case, it’s important to check out the head instructor’s experience. Maybe you just want “fun” and fitness. That’s important in the martial arts as well. 

The best thing to do is to personally meet with the Directors/Instructors of any prospective school, bring along a list, and ask as many questions as you can. We truly believe that the hand needs to fit the glove when it comes to your martial arts training. If we’re the right school for you, we’ll both know it when we meet. The next step is for you to call. We’d love to meet you!