Address:
5411 Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
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Robertoshidokan
-
5411 Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310 (map) - (703) 310-9596
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Okinawan Karate
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Robertoshidokan • Alexandria, VA
- You'll be asked a few quick questions that will help describe your needs.
- You'll be asked to provide your contact information so that Roberto Shidokan will be able to get in touch with you.
- You'll have the option to get competing quotes from other qualified service professionals, saving you time and money.
We provide traditional Okinawan Karate instruction focusing on Kata and Kumite. This entails learning street-oriented self-defense by properly utilizing punches, kicks, blocks, throws, pressure point nerve attacks, and joint manipulation in a friendly, cooperative adult atmosphere.
Our instructor is a 7th degree master with over 40 years of martial arts experience. Our style is Beikoku Shidokan as taught by Grand Master Seikichi Iha, 10th degree. Shidokan was the name of Katsuya Miyahira's Kobayashi Shorin-ryu school who was a senior student of famed Grandmaster Chosin Chibana.
Small hour-long group classes or individual instruction is available. No previous karate experience required and those from other styles are welcome. Inquire about "Fearless Woman" instruction, a simple 3-hour self-defense course of natural movements designed for women and children who have little desire, or time, to learn traditional karate.
Question and answer
Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A. Check out other schools and instructors. Watch a class or two. Are classes taught in a military drill sargent manner? Does the teacher appear to pay attention to the students? Are students enjoying themselves? Are there any adult only classes? or mostly kids classes?
Talk to the students to see what they think. Would you enjoy spending a couple hours a week in this atmosphere?
Ask why you want to learn karate?
- because of the flashy kicks or to be like the karate kid?
- to enter and win tournaments?
- to show off your machismo to your friends?
- to learn self defense to defend yourself and others?
- to learn the art of karate?
- to get in better shape?
If you answered yes to any of the first three questions then keep looking at other schools. You won't like our school nor our instruction.
If you want to learn self defense, the art of karate or to get in better shape then check us out!
Decide upon classes from an instructor at a school where you can envision that you fit in.
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. Classes conducted in a friendly, cooperative atmosphere. Leave your ego and machismo at the door as no one is trying to impress anyone else with their knowledge or skills. We are all continuing to learn.
Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?
A. Are there contracts? No, you just pay for when you attend class.
Do I have to spar? No, our kumites are prearranged, cooperative movements. As you get better at punching and kicking with speed and power you begin to realize thta most of the movements you'd use on the street open or on open sparring are being done in our prearranged kumites. Some people then go into tournaments, most don't.
Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
A. This is traditional Okinawan Karate instruction as taught by Grand Master Seikichi Iha, 10th Degree. Classes here are taught the same way as Sensei Iha as the same way as Shidokan dojos (schools) in Okinawa or in our other Shidokan dojos worldwide.
Sensei Iha says, "make friends through karate!"
Robert has over 40 years of martial arts experience and has been a direct student of Sensei Iha since 1979.
Your rank will be recognized by any of our other dojos worldwide.
