Beginners Welcome!
If you are interested in starting a traditional martial arts, learning self-defense, or just getting healthier, we welcome you to observe a class and speak with us in-person before or after. (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 via email or through our contact page.
If you decide to join, monthly dues are $55 and a membership in SKA is also required. SKA membership for beginners is $75 per 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.
About San Diego Peninsula Shotokan Karate
San Diego Peninsula Shotokan Karate is member dojo of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA). 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.
San Diego Peninsula Shotokan Karate is led by Yodan Erik Malone, a 4th-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), and the highest level is 5th dan (which was the highest degree of black belt ever bestowed by Master Funakoshi). Fees are nominal and the only compensation received by our 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 to our dojo 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