This year is our dojo’s official 10-year Anniversary!*

*However, our dojo journey began unofficially in 2005.

Traditional Okinawan martial arts, such as ours, continues training methods that have been passed on for hundreds of years. The training is a holistic style with continued emphasis on improvement of character, body, and martial arts skill set. Improvement is facilitated by individual and partner work that develops vital life skills beyond self-defense, such as focus, cooperation, leadership, discipline, respect, and confidence. The three tenants of our style are Friendship, Cooperation, and Learning. All must be in place for safe and productive educational experience in self-defense. As the student’s skill set grows the training expands upon the practical application through advanced partner work.

Enjoy two free trial classes and no contracts, come check us out!

Our Beloved Sensei Iha

It is with a heavy heart that we share the following news from August 3rd, 2024. May Sensei rest in peace.

Dear Friends,

Today at 10:25 am, Iha Sensei peacefully passed away in his home. It was a beautiful transition.

Through the night and morning, Iha Sensei had Hiro and Uto at his side, as well as MANY friends sharing stories, holding his hand, caressing, and giving love to our beloved Sensei.

In the coming weeks, we will be putting together a memorial service to celebrate the wonderful life of Iha Sensei. Thank you for all the love you’ve shared. As Sensei always reminded us, we are one family.

“Making Friends with Karate” - Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan

Practical Application Self-Defense.

The style we train in, Shidokan, is traditional martial arts training with a primary focus on personal self-defense. Our style is not a sport. There are no tournaments in our dojo. We train with the bodies we have, not the ones we wish we had. Our dojo prides itself in inclusivity and empowering at risk populations. Additionally, safety is priority. Focus is on maintaining good joint and muscle health, safely interacting with peers/instructors, and learning movement control prior utilizing full power and strength.

The Benefits of Karate Training

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Testimonials

“We love Sensei Faulkingham! After leaving 3 dojos in a 2.5-year span we finally found what we're looking for: practical and effective self-defense, a supportive environment, individual attention to every student, and a very thorough approach to safe training and correct technique. My kids and I feel many benefits from learning karate.  My kids have been learning how to persevere through challenges and hardship, and they've grown more confident, focused, and responsible.  They are proud and excited about the progress they make and enjoy their classes.  
For me personally, karate is a great de-stressor. Despite being a busy working parent of three, I feel learning karate has helped me be more collected, grounded, and calm when I am dealing with difficult situations at work or in life.

We've trained since early 2020, and during the pandemic have dealt with many challenging situations, training over zoom, or in a park.  Despite the difficulties, Sensei Faulkingham has always found a way to connect with her students and help us learn and grow.  She is very experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about this ancient art form. She knows what every student needs to learn at the level that they are at. Learning martial arts is a continuous journey of growth and self-improvement.  We're looking forward to it for many years to come.  I highly recommend it to anyone!” -A.W., Parent

“Both of our kids are taking classes at Gateway Shidokan and loving it! Our daughter says ‘It’s great’. She anxiously awaits each class and is always practicing at home and demonstrating her new skills to anyone that will watch! Our son is learning to be more confident and the Sensei has been very patient in working with him.

The skills and lessons they are learning will help them through their lives and we are very pleased with the program!” - L.M., Parent

“My son started taking karate here several years ago, I finally joined in 2011. My son had many sensory disorders/shyness and Sensei Faulkingham was very patient working with him. I saw that she taught self-defensive, not bullying. She encouraged confidence, not boastfulness. She works great with individual children to let them develop at the pace that is right for them.

The adult classes have been fantastic. I wanted to learn to defend myself but I have to work a day job and was not looking for broken ribs or broken arms. We really are like a big family and have a great time learning together without breaking bones.

The classes from tiny tigers all the way through adult ranks are very diverse representing many races, cultures, genders, religions. We respect each other in class for their character and have fun working together.

My only single regret is that I did not join sooner.” - C.A., Parent/Student

“amazing teacher and refocusing child if they get distracted” - A.H., Parent