Yes, you can join one of our classes.

Yes, students are welcome to join anytime. The fee structure will be adjusted based on the month you join in a given session. Refer to the "Plans & Pricing".

You may wear sweats and a t-shirt to the first few classes. Equipment and uniforms can be purchased later as required.

The live-stream classes go through all the requirements by belt rank. To learn karate, Sensei Darren believes you have to attend classes with an instructor and be corrected to learn properly. The WKO standards are the same standards used in the regular program.

Yes, there is a family discount. Please refer to the "Plans and Pricing" for more information.

Lives classes run Mondays and Wednesday nights. Please see our "Plans and Pricing" section for updated times.

The minimum age to start is 6 years old.

Yes, the classes are live online. You will receive feedback and progress like the students attending in-person. 

Yes. You can Learn Karate at Home! Attending live-streamed classes allows you to learn the same way as everyone else. 

Yes there are 10 black belt levels. These include: Shodan (1st Dan), Nidan (2nd Dan), Sandan (3rd Dan), Yodan (4th Dan), Godan (5th Dan), Rokudan (6th Dan), Shichidan (7th Dan), Hachidan (8th DAn), Kudan (9th Dan) and Judan (10th Dan)

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No. All of our students, both virtual and in dojo, receive the same rank certificates and belts. Our goal is to provide all students the same opportunity to train and achieve regardless of their physical location.

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WKO is not a “fast-track” program but a structured program that requires training and time in order to achieve each belt rank to ensure each student meets the certification requirements established by the grading committee. It typically takes 4 - 6 years to earn a black belt.

WKO is not a fast-track program. Karate skills are acquired through years of training. Skipping belts, or rushing through the ranks to black belt is counterproductive and you will not truly have mastered this martial art.

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Every new student starts as a white belt. There are 5-7 color belt tests including: yellow, orange, green, blue, brown. Youth may have an additional purple and red. Please Refer to "Karate Belt Levels".

No. If you have earned a rank in a karate style, we will honor that rank. You will provide copies of certificates. You will have to learn our syllabus to progress in rank. 

Students are required to join a grading being run by Sensei Darren. This grading is the same as the grading in-person students go through.

The style of karate you will be learning is Wado which means means the “way of peace/harmony”. Wado is one of the four major styles of karate in Japan and perhaps the purest form of karate-do (the way of the empty hands).

Belt Tests - There is a $25 grading fee plus the cost of shipping your belt and certificate. Shipping costs will vary depending on your location. There is a $804 annual fee for membership that makes you a member of the SWKKF, WTKA and WKF organizations. Your membership covers access to live-streaming classes, training tips & techniques, and other training resources as a member.

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Optional Services:

• Ad-hoc Clinics and Events - There are optional clinics and events throughout the year monthly hosted by the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation. Registration fees generally between $20 - $30 / student (CDN Dollar).

No. Attending our classes will work on your fitness and strength while learning martial arts. You can train at your own pace as you build your energy overtime and more challenging belt ranks.
 

Yes and No. Yes it is recommended to have striking shields and heavy bags for impact training. Partner work is always encouraged to learn free-style fighting and practical application of techniques.

We have many students who have experienced health problems. You will need to be able to perform the techniques in order to pass a grading, however, we do make accommodations to allow for any age or other restrictions that students may have. We ask that we are made aware of any accommodation requirements upon beginning your training.

We use Zoom to stream all of ur classes. You will require a PC, MAC or mobile device that can run Zoom.

Wado Kai techniques include: punching, kicking, blocking, striking with open hand, joint twisting, and trapping techniques. Wado students use kata (a sequence of techniques done in certain order against imaginary opponents), kihon kumite (prearranged sparring) and kumite (free style sparring). 

Students can ask questions during class and can send questions/videos to Sensei Darren and receive feedback.

Class times are Mondays 6:30 - 9:30 MST, Wednesday 6:30 - 9:00 and Fridays 5:00 - 6:00 MST.

You can sign up for your classes in the "Plans and Pricing" page and complete the checkout process. “Join Now” button in the top menu bar on the right side of your screen. This will help you keep track of all of your bookings and manage your profile directly.

In order to ensure you are mastering the skills and techniques in the video training, joining the live classes will provide feedback. If you cannot join live, uploading videos and asking questions will allow Sensei Darren to provide feedback. In order to receive a belt, you will have to join a club grading and be evaluated like every other student. 

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Answer: We have several associations in which we are a part. WKO is the online extension of our local club, Dynamic Karate Association, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We belong to the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation (SWKKF), World Traditional Karate Association (WTKA), the World Kobudo Federation (WKF) and the Superfoot System.