Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is martial arts experience needed to become a member?
No. Beginners are most welcome. We teach basics in the first two months of each semester. For beginners, it is important that you come to practice regularly in the first two months to learn proper techniques. After that, our practice becomes more advanced and can be harder for beginners to follow without foundation.
Q: How can I become a member?
You become an official member upon submitting your member dues to the treasurer or president. To join the club, you can send your contact information to uncshotokan@outlook.com or send a request on StudentLife portal. Also, you can sign up at our table during Fallfest, our interest meeting, and other recruitment events.
Q: When can I join?
We recommend joining at the beginning of a semester when other new students are joining, but you can join at any time.
Q: How much are member dues and how are they used?
- $20 USD for UNC students
- $30 USD for UNC visiting scholars
- $40 USD for non-student members
We collect dues every semester.
During summer everyone pays $20 USD.
You can come to beginner practices until dues are due before you decide if you want to be committed to being a regular member.
We sometimes raise funds by volunteering in football, basketball, and swimming events as well as applying funds from the university.
We use our funds to cover a range of fees and expenses, including the club membership fee to SAKA, individual membership fee to JKA for the club president, facility fees when applicable, food and non-alcoholic drinks during our social gathering, and student lodging during camps.
Q: How often should I attend practices? Do I need to come three times a week?
The key to success in karate is commitment and dedication. To make the most of karate, please attend practices at least once a week. We highly recommend you to attend practices three times a week and use some personal time to review class training, rectify mistakes, and consolidate techniques.
Q: What should I wear and not wear for practice?
Wear loose clothes before obtaining a gi. Long-sleeve white shirt and long pants are recommended.
Once you are committed, we recommend and expect you to have a gi to practice. If you have one already, you may use that as long as it is white. Our sensei can order one for you if you would like to purchase one. Karategi (空手着 or 空手衣) is the formal Japanese name for the traditional uniform used for Karate practice and competition.
Your gi should always be clean. It shouldn’t smell bad BEFORE class! It is recommended to have at least two gis. Females should always wear a shirt or a sports bra underneath their gi.
Jewelry can be dangerous while practicing karate, Remove all jewelry before class begins.
Fingernails and toenails should be clean and trimmed. Long nails are dangerous and will also keep you from making a proper fist.
No need to purchase special shoes as we practice with bare feet.
Ask any officer about Karategi if you have further questions!
Q: How is Shotokan Karate different from other karate styles?
Shotokan is a more traditional style than others, placing great emphasis on basic form, posture, and technique. It is characterized by low stances, large hip movements, and linear impact techniques. Shotokan stylists train to develop kime. Kime (focus) is defined as an explosive attack that focuses all of the body’s energy at the moment of impact, creating the fastest and strongest technique possible. By practicing kime, one develops the ability of ikken hissatsu (one fist, certain kill), to kill an opponent using a single attack. Hence, Shotokan practitioners strive to develop excellent control and Shotokan tournaments are never full contact.
If you have practiced a different style of karate, you might be able to do an equivalency test for your previous belt if your skills aren’t overly rusty and you learn well enough from us.