Welcome to the Kazoku Karate-Do website. Kazoku in Japanese means Family.
To give you an idea of what you are to expect from your first class, we offer a welcoming and fun class that will teach you the basic techniques of karate. This will include techniques such as basic hand strikes, blocks, kicks, stances and Kiai (Japanese for a vocal defence technique). Even in your first class we aim to teach you enough to defend yourself in a intimidating situation regardless of your gender, age or physical ability.
The Family
We have all been training and teaching in karate for about 15 years. We are fully DBS checked and First Aid trained.
Sensei John
I'm John and I'm the Chief Instructor of Kazoku Karate. I am a 4th Dan Black Belt and certificated with the (BCKA) British Combat Karate Association, (EKF) English Karate Federation, (BKF) British Karate Federation and (WKF) World Karate Federation. I first got involved in Martial Arts at the age of 27 when Karate knocked on my door. I started for my son Kieran (who is currently a 4th Dan Black Belt) and whilst training along side him I soon became hooked and got the bug. I used to be a couch potato, I didn't do anything apart from working and sitting watching TV putting on weight. It was time for a change and Karate came into my life at the right time. Since I started Karate, which I have now been doing for 21 years, I have never looked back. I've gained confidence, fitness, self awareness and feeling good about myself and I love helping others progress in their Karate Journey. I have competed in competitions such as regional titles, national titles, world cups and national all styles. I was part of the UK national squad team, which meant we travelled all over the country competing in various amounts of external tournaments.
Sensei Chrissie
Hi, I'm Chrissie and the backbone of the family and also a Brown Belt. I also gained a Blackbelt in another style a long time ago. I started my karate journey 18 years ago and became an Instructor to support my family on their karate journeys. I use to work in a school as a Teaching Learning Assistant which includes working with children with Special Needs for the last 15 years. I am DBS Checked and fully First Aid trained. Karate has given me the knowledge that my family have the tools to protect and look after themselves. It has also given me confidence and fitness. It's also given me a network of friends that are now family in my eyes.
Sensei Kieran
Hi I am Kieran and I am currently 4th Dan Black Belt. I first started karate at the age of 6 years old, under the guidance of my first instructor Sensei Neil Thomas. I also became hooked on karate and have never looked back. I am now currently looking at a full time position within the family business.
Sensei Jess
I'm Jess and I am 23 years old and I currently a 3rd Dan Black Belt. I too started my karate journey 18 years ago and I graded to my Black Belt when I was 11 which was a huge achievement for me. At the moment I am in full-time education studying Psychology and Health and Social Care. Karate has changed my life by giving me the confidence to be a strong independent female. The other thing karate has given me is a social network of friends that I now class as family.
Harvey
Hey I'm Harvey, 14 years old. I am currently Brown belt (Very close to black now). I really enjoy training with my family because if I get stuck my big brother and sister, Kieran and Jess, will always help me out. I did a tournament and enjoyed it because I got two golden medals, One for kata and One for sparring. I felt really great and I am now a legend. In a karate lesson I enjoy the warm up when we are running around the outside and I like the kicks and Kata. I'm looking forward to wearing a new black uniform, so my mum doesn't moan at me for getting marks on it.
We are all DBS checked, First aid trained, we take regular child safeguarding trainings and we have recently purchased a defibrillator for our club.
