Every day is an opportunity to build strength and agility, to grow and become better. This is an open invitation to men and women who wish to improve, physically and mentally, to practice karate with us. What's new: FALL CLASSES are about to start: Please see the Practice Times for class times/locations. The first official class for New Members is September 31st, and the first two weeks are FREE for new members. NEW PROMOTION: New Stanford students, faculty or staff who attend 10 classes or more this quarter will receive a free gi (Karate uniform)! Upcoming events: Current members, watch out for the end-of-quarter dinner, it’s coming up. Details to be announced soon! Fall activities fair, September 26th 12-4pm: We will have a booth all afternoon, feel free to drop by and talk to us. Mr. Ohshima will be visiting Stanford on November 8th for the 35th anniversary of SKA karate in the bay area! Don't miss it! General practice lead by Mr. Ohshima, November 8th, Burnham Pavilion 2pm. About Stanford Shotokan: Stanford Shotokan is dedicated to the practice of traditional karate. We are part of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), a nonprofit nation-wide organization founded in 1955 by Mr. Tsutomu Ohshima. Our senior instructors are fifth-degree black belts Jim Sagawa and Manfred Chiu, and fourth-degree black belt Danny Afar. Our membership draws from throughout Stanford and the surrounding area, including students, professors, faculty, alumni, and off-campus professionals and community members. The purpose of our training is to achieve our greatest potential as human beings, both within the practice itself and in all other aspects of our lives. At its highest level, martial arts practice reaches deep within, enabling us to find and polish previously undiscovered strengths and push beyond our preconceived limitations. As evidenced by our three senior black belts, each of whom has practiced for more than 30 years, karate training can become an integral part of a lifelong curriculum for self-improvement. Our practice is traditional, and is rooted in centuries-old Okinawan martial arts. There are no gimmicks. Our purpose is to learn and teach the most effective fighting techniques possible. SKA membership entitles you to the opportunity to train directly with Mr. Ohshima at practices he leads several times a year at our home dojo in Santa Barbara, participate twice a year in intensive several-day special training sessions, and practice at any SKA dojo (there are over 100) or international affiliate dojo (Mr. Ohshima’s students teach karate in 18 countries). Group picture after a practice, June 2008