Our Programs & Classes

Students and enthusiasts of Karate have many reasons for their interest in this and other martial art styles. Some are drawn to the physical fitness and weight-loss aspects of training. Others seek to add discipline and self control to their lives. While still others are concerned about safety and self-defense.

Whether you are interested in our programs for mental or physical well being, Traditional Karate Center offers a number of programs that will fit your developmental needs and your busy schedule as well. Click here to view our Weekly Class Schedule.

DEVELOPMENTAL CURRICULUM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Our Developmental Curriculum is called the Little Warriors. It's curriculum has divided into two distinct programs. Each program has its own set of goals and class materials that are focused on their development. Having age specific material is necessary to make your child's karate learning experience fun, rewarding and 'Real' - not a baby sitting service. Our program's age specific separations are also based on the differing mental, physical, emotional and social development levels of children. Effective September 2006, we have divided the Little Warriors into two distinct groups and we have refined our training goals to promote improved development in our youngest athletes. Our youngest group is the NINJA Class for ages 3 and 4. [Note: please do not confuse this with the nationally marketed "Lil' Ninja" program.] The next age bracket of the Little Warrior program is the SAMURAI Class for ages 5 and 6. Traditional Karate Center's Children's Developmental Karate Curriculum is a tri-faceted child developmental program including: basic karate skills; safety skills and life skills discussions & scenarios. The athletic majority of classtime engages in learning/practicing the age-approapriate karate techniques; applicable stretching; calesthenic exercises; and participating in fine motor skills development drills. The program offers young children a wonderfully inclusive introductory experience into the benefits of martial art training. A color coded tape stripe reflects the child's behavior and effort level in class (GREEN = GOOD; YELLOW = WARNING; RED = UNSAFE ACTION OR DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR). Colorful stickers are also awarded after each class as a daily reward for the children's hard work. Based on good attendance, attitude and effort, students are awarded a new rank belt after 10 successful classes to mark their progress. The NINJA class (ages: 3 and 4) meet twice weekly for 30 minutes. The SAMURAI class (ages: 5 and 6) meet 3 times weekly for 45 minutes. The class time lengths are predicated according to the average attention span of most young children. Parents may observe classes initially from our reception area until both parent/child are indoctrinated into our program. Thereafter, only parents whose children have a "medical necessity" may stay.

NINJA NINJA are part of our Developmental Karate Curriculum - our Little Warriors. The focus age for this group is 3 and 4 year old boys and girls. The goals of the NINJA program are more focused on enhancing self-discipline and improving self-confidence in young children. Class materials are more intense and greater technical effort is expected from students. Classes are designed to : Develope understanding & proficiency with basic karate techniques Enhancing classroom concepts with more expectations for organization Listen & share in discussions about Karate Skills, Life Skills, & Safety Skills Extras may include: Stretching, Calesthenics, Bag drills, Obstacle course, Sparring instructor (not other kids) Class sizes are limited to 16 or less for safety reasons and for quality purposes.

SAMURAI SAMURAI are part of our Children's Developmental Karate Curriculum - our Little Warriors. The focus ages for this group are 5 and 6 year old boys and girls. SAMURAI goals have a preparatory focus for a child's future years in karate. Activities are challenging & more advanced than any of TKC's other Developmental Karate Curriculum programs. Improving athleticism, encouraging perseverence, and coaching honor & humility are the types of development we are seeking to instill. Classes may incorporate the following: Developing complex karate skills (for kids...): Combination techniques; Multidirection movement; Rolling/falling/takedowns; Imagery fighting; Distance drills Striving for personal development in Respect; Honor; Humility; Self Discipline; and Perserverance Activity discussions about: Karate Skills; Karate Ethics; Life Skills; Safety Skills; and Abuse Prevention Extras may include: Stretching & Calesthenics; Plyometric concepts; Endurance goals; Focus targeting; Simple sparring drills Class sizes are limited to 20 for safety reasons and for quality purposes.

INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM - GENERAL OVERVIEW TKC's International Karatedo Curriculum is intended for karateka (students of karate) from ages 7 ~ 99. We offer an authentic, homogeneous style of Japanese karatedo called Gojuryu Karatedo. Our dojo (karate school) follows the strict training guidelines and standards of Gojuryu Karatedo as per our hombu dojo (headquarters school) in Sujinami-ku, Tokyo, Japan - the IKGA and its President, Goshi Yamaguchi, Saiko Shihan. TKC's owner and chief instructor, Michael Buttermark Shihan is a direct student of Master Yamaguchi. Our International Karatedo Curriculum is separated in skill-level appropriate groups. All of our Junior and Senior classes are regularly offered about 3 hours of formal instruction each week or more. Students are permitted to participate in unlimited classes for their program and level - including working out in BOTH of our locations. The instructors in our dojo encourage students to always consider their academic needs and complete homework before attending karate classes. At TKC all ranks are earned. We strictly observe and adhere to the IKGA international standards of proficency for all ranks. Also in accordance with IKGA rules, students under the age of 16 may only advance to a maximum grade of "Junior Shodan" (Junior 1st degree black belt). Students 16 and older may advance to adult ranks of black belt and beyond. Class sizes are restricted allowing for better interactivity with the instructors. Both JUNIOR & SENIOR classes may have up to 30 students maximum. Promotion "opportunities" are about every 6 months and Black Belt "audition for grade" is only offered annually in December.

JUNIORS [Our children's programs, or JUNIORS, for ages 7 through 12 follow all descriptions in the "PROGRAMS" section of this website identified as "International Karate Curriculum". Note: the JUNIOR BEGINNERS are students White Belt through Green Belt ranks; the JUNIOR ADVANCED are Blue Belts through Black Belts. This separate section is necessary to better identify this group on the "Calendar" section of this website.]

SENIORS [This separate section is necessary to better identify this group on the "Calendar" section of this website.] Our Adult Karate Program is designated "SENIORS" and follows the information found in our International Karate Curriculum section of this website. TKC offers training to ages 13 ~ adult Any student who has limitations due to age, , disabilities, injury or other reasons should embrace karate training as part of a wholistic approach to wellness and fitness. Note: Our ADVANCED SENIOR students workout at the time as our ADVANCED JUNIOR students. Anyone with interest in our programs should call our information line (718) 981-3139.

KOKYU-HO Our KOKYU-HO program is integrated into our International Curriculum Senior schedule. This class is a "Tai Chi-like" approach to our Gojuryu Karatedo training. Classes offer a "vitality", restorative breathing focus and natural pace execution of the system's techniques with focus on perfect execution. Kokyu-ho literally means "vitality (or restorative) breathing" - this program emphasizes form and functional application rather than speed and power. This program is excellent for a wide spectrum of students: Senior Citizens Persons with disabilities Persons with limitations due to past injuries Persons who are in need of physical exercise but are nervous to workout Persons looking for a hobby in karate and not for competition training Call (732)888-4TKC today to enroll.

Please Contact Us if you have any questions about our programs or would like to know about other programs that may not be listed here.