Martial Arts classes for all ages and skill levels
Visit the class schedule to choose a class that works for you.
Contact the Dojo to register.
ADULT
All Belt Levels
7 - 14 yrs YOUTH ADVANCED
Green to Black Belt
7 - 14 yrs YOUTH BEGINNER
White to Orange Belt
4 - 6 Year Olds
Training always starts with a warm up and stretching. Some strength training, self defence and other activites will also be included.
Kumite - sparring
Kata - logical arrangements of blocking, punching, striking and kicking techniques in certain set sequences
Kihon - basics
Most training consists of three main things:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on ground fighting, submissions, and leverage-based techniques. Unlike Karate and other striking martial arts, BJJ emphasizes controlling an opponent through positions and holds. There is little to no striking through punches or kicks, instead focusing on takedowns, joint locks, and chokeholds to subdue an opponent.
Visit the class schedule to choose a class that works for you.
Contact the Dojo to register.
ADULT
All Belt Levels
4 - 12 yrs YOUTH
- Joseph Z.
Midwest Karate has been a big part of my life these past 8 years. The training that I have received here has benefited me both mentally and physically. A challenge every day that keeps you coming back for more.
- Rob Miller
I was immediately impressed with Sensei Minarik and the assistant instructors, all are positive influences and great with the students.
- Emily Martens-koop
The women's self-defence classes at Midwest Karate have been so much fun. I've gained so many skills and increased my strength and confidence in my ability to defend myself in life and at my job in healthcare!
- Vennessa
Our family was very welcome by the staff and we were always treated respectfully, I really love how I feel welcomed and comfortable leaving my children and sitting in on classes. My children have learned so much and have become very strong, I am very pleased my girls are learning the skills to being more disciplined and to protect themselves. I highly recommend Midwest Karate if people are considering putting their children in Karate classes.
- Alex
I used to think Karate was great for discipline and exercise, but overly traditional, and likely not great for street self-defence. After watching some of the coaches and high-level students in class, then training with them myself (including some full-speed sparring), I have completely changed my tune. Sensei and a few others could absolutely destroy me on the street, yet they're super nice/easygoing. All good people there.
- Loi Nguyen
Both my children trained with Sensei Mark as a part of Midwest Karate since 2022 and they absolutely loved it. It teaches them to be patient and be disciplined in everyday life. Highly recommended!
- Nektaria ulan-hohol
Fantastic place full of fantastic people! Their Women's Self Defence class is particularly enriching, and unfortunately a necessity in this day and age. Very highly recommended!
Traditional Karate is a beautiful, ancient, weaponless art of self defense thought to have originated is Okinawa during the Middle Ages, and was influenced by Chinese martial arts. In the early seventeenth century the Japanese Satsuma clan occupied Okinawa and imposed severe restrictions on the native population, including a ban on weapons. Karate was practiced in secret, and the art became essential to the survival of many Okinawans, who had no other means of protecting themselves and their families from bandits and occupying forces. In 1922 Master Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate to Japan, demonstrating in Tokyo at the National Athletic Champianships. In the early 1930's Master Funakoshi had established his own school in Tokyo. Funakoshi practiced calligraphy under the pen name Shoto, and his students referred to the school as Shotokan, which means "Shoto's School". Eventually, Funakoshi's system of Karate came to be known as Shotokan-ryu , and is one of the four major systems of traditional Karate practiced today.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu traces its roots to Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, particularly the teachings of Kano Jigoro (1860-1938), the founder of Judo. In 1914, Jigoro's top student Mitsuyo Maeda (1878-1941) traveled to Brazil, settling in the Northern region of Brazil in Belem. Maeda taught Judo, then called Kano Jiu-Jitsu, to Carlos Gracie (1902-1994), and he passed his knowledge onto his younger brothers. 14-year old Helio Gracie (1913-2009) was unable to participate with his older brothers as he was naturally small and frail. He adapted Maeda's teachings to develop Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing leverage, technique, and ground fighting for smaller or weaker students. Gracie went on to compete and win many submission-based competitions nationally and internationally. As Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was taught increasingly outside the Gracie family, the broader name Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began to be used.
"Jiu-Jitsu is for the protection of the individual: the older man, the weak, the child, the lady and the young woman: anyone who doesn't have the physical attributes to defend themselves"
-Helio Gracie
At Midwest Karate we teach traditional Shotokan Karate.
At Midwest Karate, we train in a style of Karate that is non-contact.
BJJ and Karate are excellent complements to each other. Karate focuses on striking and stand-up defence whereas Bjj focuses on grappling and ground defence.
"Karate teaches you how to keep distance. BJJ teaches you what to do when distance is lost."
Most training consist of three main things, Kihom (basics), Kata (logical arrangements of blocking, punching, striking and kicking techniques in certain set sequences.) and Kumite (sparring). Training will always start with a warm up and stretching. Some strength training, self defence and other activities will also be included.
Classes are divided into age groups. we also offer beginner and advanced classes, as well an all age class on Saturdays so that families can train together 😊
Check out our class schedule HERE >
Anyone ages four and older are able to join. We have a wide range of classes to support many different ages.
Check out our classes HERE >
Traditional Karate is a beautiful, ancient, weaponless art of self defense thought to have originated is Okinawa during the Middle Ages, and was influenced by Chinese martial arts. In the early seventeenth century the Japanese Satsuma clan occupied Okinawa and imposed severe restrictions on the native population, including a ban on weapons. Karate was practiced in secret, and the art became essential to the survival of many Okinawans, who had no other means of protecting themselves and their families from bandits and occupying forces. In 1922 Master Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate to Japan, demonstrating in Tokyo at the National Athletic Champianships. In the early 1930's Master Funakoshi had established his own school in Tokyo. Funakoshi practiced calligraphy under the pen name Shoto, and his students referred to the school as Shotokan, which means "Shoto's School". Eventually, Funakoshi's system of Karate came to be known as Shotokan-ryu , and is one of the four major systems of traditional Karate practiced today.
At Midwest Karate we teach traditional Shotokan Karate.
At Midwest Karate, we train in a style of Karate that is non-contact.
Most training consist of three main things, Kihom (basics), Kata (Logical arrangements of blocking, punching, striking and kicking techniques in certain set sequences.) and Kumite(sparring). Training will always start with a warm up and stretching. Some strength training, self defence and other activites will also be included.
Classes are divided into age groups. we also offer beginner and advanced classes, as well an all age class on Saturdays so that families can train together 😊
Check out our classes HERE >
Anyone ages four and older are able to join. We have a wide range of classes to support many different ages.
Check out our classes HERE >