About SKA
Saratoga Shotokan Dojo is an affiliate of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), a non-profit organization that has been teaching Karate in the traditional Japanese manner in the United States since 1955. We welcome students of any age. Class structure allows for the admittance of new adult students at any time of the year and of new children students at regularly scheduled dates. Members of the Saratoga Dojo participate in regional special events such as clinics, exchange practices, tournaments, and special classes at the Ohshima Dojo lead by Tsutomu Ohshima, the founder and chief instructor of SKA.
Benefits of Karate Practice
Karate can be practiced by everyone at any age for self-defense, to strengthen the entire body, improve balance, efficiency of movement, breathing and overall health. No special equipment is needed.
Karate helps to strengthen the mind, develop courage, fortitude, and the ability to achieve goals.
Karate practice emphasizes spiritual values of courtesy, integrity, humility, justice, honor, and self-control.
The study of karate benefits the student in all areas of their life.
Welcome Newcomers!
We are so glad that you are interested in joining Saratoga Shotokan Karate Dojo.
Joining is easy – just visit any of our practices! There is no charge to observe or to practice with us once or twice. After that, if you decide to stay, you must join Shotokan Karate of America ($75 for the remainder of the year). As a member of SKA you will be able to attend any SKA regional, national, and international event open to your rank, and you’ll be able to test for rank twice per year at no charge. Black belt testing is also free, but by invitation only.
The ultimate aim of the art of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants.” – Master Gichin Funakoshi