FAQ

Everyone wants the black belt and at Simba Dojo, we want you to earn it. How fast you achieve your goal can vary tremendously depending on many factors including your ability and how much effort you put into your training. We do not give out belts at Simba Dojo. You earn them through your mastery of the skills. We do not socially promote our students and each promotion is determined by a panel of judges. The colored belt is just a marker of a journey one decides to take. Ultimately, karate is not about the belt you wear, and the focus should be on the continued development of one’s character.

Not likely. You may often hear this talked about in some circles, but for most, it is just an urban legend. The practice of Karate is not illegal and promotes good citizenship.  If you commit a crime, however, you will get fingerprinted, have your picture taken and placed in the police database as someone who has broken the law. Criminals who are trained in the martial arts may experience scrutiny by the courts and be held to a higher standard due to the nature of their crime.  Breaking the law, however, has nothing to do with the practice of karate, so no, you will not have to register your hands as deadly weapons in most of the United States.

The exception to this is in the US territory of Guam.  In Title 10- Health & Safety Division 3- Public Safety, Chapter 62 in their statutes states, "Any person who is an expert in the art of karate or judo, or any similar physical are in which the hands and feet are used as deadly weapons, is required to register with the Department of Revenue and Taxation."  To register, you are required to do this in person and pay a $5 fee.  I think most of us will not have to worry about this unless we show up in Guam!

The simple answer to this question is no, however we do not take anything away from you.  We cannot attest to any honor you received at another school, and it is not our place to take away what you might have earned from them.  With that said, when you test for rankings with us, it will be measured at our standards and not the standards of your previous school or training.

Once you decide to keep up with your study in karate you will want to invest in a gi. A gi is your single most important purchase in the practice of karate. You can purchase a gi through us or purchase one on your own.  The gi that we offer our students are top quality and customized for our club.  We do not stock the gi, nor sell them retail.  We do not make a profit from the gi, but we have them commissioned on your behalf once you place the order.  Ou club gi are only available to our club members.

If you decide to purchase a gi on your own, please maintain club standards.  Simba Dojo students wear the traditional white karate gi. The gi should be a kimono-like wrap around gi, not the pullover type used in taekwondo. There should be no markings, patches, or school advertisements on the gi.  You can buy your gi online or in person at Karate Mart (1411 W Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013), where you can try on the gi before you buy it.  Prices will vary from around 25 dollars depending on size, material, and brand.

Karate gis are made from different fabrics.  Most of the less expensive gis are made from polyester cotton blends.  This material is very durable and will last many years.  However, the synthetic materials can get very hot and do not breath well.  We recommend you purchase a 100% cotton gi.  Cotton gis may cost a little bit more, but it is well worth it.  They are more comfortable to wear, breathe easier and do not keep in moisture like synthetics. You will be much happier with a cotton gi and remember a well taken care of gi can last many years.

Would the Phoenix Suns allow their players to wear jerseys from other teams?  Probably not!  You may wear a plain white gi without any school emblems, patches, or advertisements. It is generally considered to be in bad taste to attend a dojo with a gi from another school unless you are representing that school in a competitive event. In addition, wearing a uniform that is consistent with a school’s standards helps build community, team spirit and makes for better pictures!

There are several reasons why we do not offer student gi upon signing up. First, schools who do offer a “free” gi are not really providing it free. Generally, they will want you to sign a contract with them which allows them to add in the cost of the gi into the tuition many times over. We do not use long-term contracts and do everything in our power to keep the tuition as low as possible. Secondly, the gi that are given away are usually promotional items, bought in bulk, an advertising medium and are not of the highest quality. Thirdly, gi come in many different qualities and prices that reflect those qualities. Prices range from $15 to many hundreds of dollars. It is not uncommon to spend $400 on a good Japanese gi, but you do not need to spend that much on a quality uniform.  We recommend that you wait and talk to us before your first gi purchase.

Not necessarily. We do encourage everyone to wear a karate gi, but, while you are evaluating the class you may come to class in loose-fitting clothes that you can work out in. We ask everyone to be in a gi before your first belt testing.

That is OK, you do not have to be a resident to come to our classes! The Verrado Assembly allows us to take on students from outside the community! We have students from Buckeye, Goodyear, Avondale, Glendale, and Phoenix! We have also had visitors from outside the state and the country visit our club and participate in our classes!

Just come to class! We will walk you through the process.

The costs of participating in Simba Dojo karate is very reasonable.  There are no hidden fees, no contracts, and no 'extras' that you must buy other than what is listed below.  Anything not listed below would be considered optional activities and not required by us.

AAU Membership:   Membership year (September to September) Is required of each student.  Please check for prices at:  https://aau-cgtg.rsportz.com

Tuition:  $30 per Month per student or $90 family membership from same household.  All club fees are due at the beginning of each month.

Uniform:  Price varies from $30 for the cheapest quality to several hundred.  We will help you pick out the right options for you.

Of course! We always offer the first class for free! We would like to offer all the classes for free, but we have expenses just like everyone else.

No. To fix something implies that it is broken. We do not start with the thought that one is broken, instead we prefer to think that we are in the business of building rather than repairing. Certainly, there is much to be gained in the practice of karate. We emphasize etiquette, respect, courtesy, and honesty within the dojo and outside the dojo. We also encourage each of our students to strive to be the best they can be. Many of our students are on the honor roll in school and are leaders in the community. This reflects the hard work they put in inside and outside the dojo.

Most likely. We will challenge you, but you will always be in control of what you do and how much you do. Stamina and skill build with time and practice. With dedicated effort who knows what you will be able to achieve!

Simba Dojo does not set any limits to age. Each person is different and will have different abilities. Each practitioner should do a self-assessment and decide for themselves if they will benefit from the practice of karate. Though we may challenge our students to reach their greatest potential, we do not make you do anything you feel uncomfortable in doing. We welcome students of all ages!

We do not set minimum age limits for our classes as not all children will be ready to engage in the practice of karate at a particular age. We have worked with children as young as 3 with success, but again it depends on the child.

The tradition of karate was developed in Japan. Bowing is a tradition practiced in many Asian cultures to acknowledge the other person, just as we in the United States may shake hands. We continue to use the tradition of bowing in the Dojo as a way of showing mutual respect toward each other and our tradition.

Karate is not a religion.  It is a martial art, though many people who practice karate also engage in religious practice of all kinds.

Though Tae Kwon Do (TKD) and Karate may share some of the same characteristics and have crossed lineages, they are two different martial arts. TKD is a Korean Martial Art, while Karate is from Japan. The traditions, language and focus of practice can be somewhat different. It is very easy to get them confused, and often martial arts clubs will take advantage of this confusion in their marketing strategies.

Here at Simba Dojo, we practice and teach Shotokan Karate. Shotokan is probably the most widely taught and politically involved family of karate systems. There are several associations of karate that maintain standards for ranking. We follow the curriculum as outlined by The Japan Karate Association. Japan Karate Association is the largest martial art organization in the world. We believe we are using the best curriculum to prepare you If you wish to test for your black belt with any of the major karate associations.