KenZenIchi Kase-Ha Academy

Our Academy

​

KenZenIchi Kase-Ha Academy is one of the oldest karate clubs in Cheltenham. It first began in the early 1970's under the name Cheltenham Shotokan Karate Club, and has been going strong ever since. Our academy has been under the expert tutelage of Sensei Alan Armstrong (7th Dan) since 1984. Sensei Armstrong brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and his famous sense of humour to make training challenging, fun, thought provoking and most importantly effective. 

 

We practice Kase-Ha Shotokan-Ryu Karate, an unique style with  strong traditional emphasis based on the teachings of the late Shihan Taiji Kase (9th Dan). These teachings focus around the control of technical breathing, rooting/grounding to create powerful and fluid movement, as well as control of the hara (core muscles).

 

We were founder members of the English Shotokan Academy, an organisation set up in 1991 to carry on the teachings of Sensei Taiji Kase in the UK, and to promote the benefits of Kase-Ha Karate to all areas of your life.

 

Our Hombu Dojo, as can be seen from the photograph above, is unique and a far cry from the normal sports centres, school gyms and church halls. A listed building set in a park makes it a special place to train.

​

A new dojo was opened in Tewkesbury in 2012 and since then has become a permanent part of the academy. The dojo is in the Expressive Arts centre and classes are held on Tuesdays. 

​

Despite the high level of instruction & professionalism, our academy is a not-for-profit organisation.