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 they  can do things on their own -– sometimes even hard things -- builds the  resilience that is so needed when it comes to their future physical and  mental well-being.

Dropping  your child off is a win-win. You get some time for yourself, and your  child has the time to learn first and then to demonstrate their learning  later, when they’re ready. It’s so fun for them to show you their new  skills and new belt achievements.

We  understand that sometimes a child may need their hand held a little  when trying something new; in which case, you are welcome to help settle  them in. But, when they’re more comfortable, we encourage you to say,  “Bye-bye for now, I’ll be back” and leave, just as you would at  a daycare or with a babysitter.

“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.”

  We bow long enough to say “thank-you.” When we bow, we are showing respect for the school, our classmates, our teachers, and the martial arts. You must always bow facing towards the classroom before you step onto the floor. The same holds true when you are ready to leave the classroom floor (remember to turn and face the classroom). When you bow to a partner, you let them know that you are not there to hurt them but are there to have fun while learning the martial arts. Running late? That’s ok—just wait at the Dojo entrance until an instructor gives you permission to enter.

That’s totally fine; we’re not here to hurt you. We just push your limits to get you to the next level. When you first start your program, it’s personal best and we go from there. Don’t wait to “get into shape” in order to start your martial arts journey; personal fitness is a part of the journey. 

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!