UPDATE (May 2021): We have resumed our in-person training sessions, and now offer both in-person and online classes. Please visit our class schedule for more information.
About Peninsula Shotokan
Peninsula Shotokan is part of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), with practices led by SKA blackbelts. SKA was founded by Tsutomu Ohshima, one of the last remaining students of Master Gichin Funakoshi, who is widely considered to be the father of modern karate. We are proud of our direct lineage from the founding of karate, as well as SKA’s unique status as the organizer of the oldest, continuously-run karate tournament in America.
Started in 1990, Peninsula Shotokan was the first SKA dojo founded by a woman. It is currently led by Erik Malone, a 3rd degree black belt.
Because of SKA’s strong resolve to offer high-quality martial arts to the public, we have remained non-commercial and non-profit. As a traditional karate organization, SKA has only three belts (white, brown, and black.) Fees are nominal and the only compensation received by Peninsula Shotokan instructors is the satisfaction of being able to pass their knowledge to the next generation of students.
If you are looking for an authentic, challenging martial art, with deep cultural roots and passionate, dedicated practitioners, come and train with us!
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.
To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.”
– Master Gichin Funakoshi
Welcome Newcomers!
Prior to COVID, we held karate classes at two YMCAs in the San Diego area — the Peninsula Family YMCA and the Mission Valley YMCA. When group classes at these facilities were disrupted by COVID, we moved our practices online, but have recently resumed some of our in-person sessions.
If you are interested in starting a traditional martial arts, learning self-defense, or just getting healthier, we welcome you to speak with us in-person before or after our Saturday morning sessions (9 – 10:30 am) at Pioneer Park in Mission Hills, and to observe our class. (Please see our class schedule for more information.) We will be happy to answer your questions, and tell you about our dojo and our parent organization, Shotokan Karate of America (SKA). You can also contact us over email or by phone.
If you decide to join, a membership in SKA is required. Membership for beginners is $75 for the remainder of the year. Additional family memberships are offered at a discounted rate. As a member of SKA, you will be able to attend any SKA regional, national, and international events open to your rank, and you’ll be able to test for rank twice per year. Black belt testing is by invitation only.
