If it was easy, it wouldn't be karate

Yes, of course, Shimbukai Karate is demanding. Nothing worth mastering has ever been easy—so why dilute the essence of karate?

Every dojo must walk the fine line between survival and tradition. At Shimbukai Karate, under the leadership of Andy Kent and Kimsour Chhay, we strive to engage students while challenging them, ensuring they develop both mental and physical resilience. In an age where attention spans are shorter than ever, and bodies grow weaker from sedentary lifestyles, teaching karate in its true form has never been more critical—or more challenging.

We instruct students from as young as five to retirees in their sixties, each with their own reasons for stepping onto the dojo floor. Whether it's overcoming bullying, managing ADHD, improving coordination, building confidence, or maintaining strength with age, Shimbukai Karate transforms the body, sharpens the spirit, and fortifies the mind—but only if taught to the high standards karate is known for.

Of course, we can't make our students run 5 kilometers before each class as Chojun Miyagi Sensei once did. Nor can we have professionals toughening their hands by punching bowls of sand and rocks. Even if we had the luxury of time and space, only a handful of students would willingly commit to such extremes. But we cherish teaching karate to a diverse range of individuals, and while we don't train exactly as the old Okinawan masters did, we ensure the discipline and rigor remain intact, making a profound difference in the lives of those who train with us.

Now, more than ever, we must emphasize the importance of mastering the fundamentals. We expect students to focus beyond the fleeting moments of a YouTube Short, to show mutual respect—to others, to the environment, and to themselves. Laziness, lack of discipline, and disregard for the dojo’s etiquette must be corrected. The untied belt must be fixed, the shoes arranged neatly—these small details instill conscientiousness and discipline.

We are not unyielding—we recognize when a student is unwell or facing challenges outside the dojo. But when parents entrust us with their children, worried about their lack of strength, focus, or confidence, they must also trust the process. Shimbukai Karate will change their lives, but not overnight. There is no shortcut, no six-week training montage. But with commitment and time, transformation is inevitable.

To parents and adult students alike—we ask only that you embrace the challenges karate presents to reap its rewards. There will be complaints that training is tough, that they don’t want to attend. With the allure of endless scrolling and instant gratification, of course, staying home seems preferable. But that also means staying stagnant. You understand the benefits of karate, and we commit ourselves to changing lives through it. We never promised it would be easy—but we guarantee it will be worth it.

Karate is hard, but that’s precisely why you’re here. The dojo is where we sweat, struggle, and transform. With dedication, perseverance, and passion, karate will return your effort tenfold.