This is our first course and is perfect for people new to karate and people who have had a long break. As the entry point to our Enso ranking system, this course carries the spirit of the Stag Beetle , armoured, grounded, and built for one purpose: teaching you to stand with a solid, unbreakable foundation before you reach outward. This extensive course is for people of all ages and fitness levels and is especially suited to people over 50, as it has the full syllabus for 10th Kyu (1st belt rank), along with all the fundamentals needed when you first start Shotokan Karate. Also included are five follow-along classes. This is a comprehensive course that will give a great foundation to your karate moving forward.

Having built your foundation in Course 1, this course carries the spirit of the Frog, coiled, ready, and learning to turn stillness into sudden, decisive movement. This course covers the full syllabus for 9th Kyu (2nd belt rank), building on the stances and fundamentals from your first grade and introducing the dynamic, explosive quality that starts to define your technique. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, with follow-along classes included so you can train the material at your own pace until it feels natural.

This course carries the spirit of the Tortoise — endurance, unhurried patience, and the deep, rooted stances that give your karate real staying power. Covering the full syllabus for 8th Kyu (3rd belt rank), this course asks you to slow down and let your technique settle, building the kind of quiet stability that supports everything you'll learn later. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The required kata is Heian Shodan, which is the first of five Heian kata.

This course carries the spirit of the Crane, lightness, poise, and balance on a single point of contact. Covering the full syllabus for 7th Kyu (4th belt rank), you'll build on the grounded stability of earlier grades and start to develop the fluid hip control and precise footwork that separates rigid technique from real martial art. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels The required kata is Heian Nidan, which is the second of five Heian kata.

This course carries the spirit of the Praying Mantis, razor-sharp precision and the patience to strike only when everything is aligned. Covering the full syllabus for 6th Kyu (5th belt rank), this course sharpens your timing and distancing, teaching you that accuracy will always outperform speed on its own. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The required kata is Heian Sandan, which is the third of five Heian kata.

This course carries the spirit of the Snake, fluid, frictionless movement that replaces rigidity with flow. Covering the full syllabus for 5th Kyu (6th belt rank), you'll work on connecting breath, hip rotation, and technique into one continuous motion, laying the groundwork for the more powerful, structured karate ahead. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The required kata is Heian Yondan, which is the fourth of five Heian kata.

This course carries the spirit of the Bear, heavy, grounded, and powerful through the hips, core, and back. Covering the full syllabus for 4th Kyu (7th belt rank), this course introduces the dynamic tension and immovable stances that mark the start of the advanced intermediate grades, hardening your stability and structural power. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The required kata is Heian Godan, which is the fifth of five Heian kata.

This course carries the spirit of the Scorpion — calm distance management followed by a decisive, well-timed counter. Covering the full syllabus for 3rd Kyu (8th belt rank), this course sharpens your ability to read an opponent's movement and respond with accuracy and minimal wasted motion, key skills as you approach black belt level. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The required kata is Tekki Shodan, which is the first of three Tekki kata.

This course carries the spirit of the Eagle, elevated awareness, sharp timing, and the tactical vision that comes with approaching the final grades before black belt. Covering the full syllabus for 2nd Kyu (9th belt rank), this course sharpens your ability to read rhythm and distance with real confidence as you close in on 1st Kyu. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The required kata is Bassai Dai.

This course carries the spirit of the Rhinoceros, unstoppable forward momentum and unbreakable resolve. Covering the full syllabus for 1st Kyu (10th belt rank), this is the final grade before Shodan, bringing together everything you've built so far into the rooted, driving power of Shin-Gi-Tai — mind, technique, and body working as one, as you stand at the threshold of black belt. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. You can choose Enpi or Jion as your 1st Kyu Kata.

This course carries the spirit of the Tiger, physical mastery, primal intent, and the explosive snap that defines true Shotokan technique. Covering the full syllabus for 1st Dan (Shodan), this course marks your arrival at black belt, not an ending, but the true beginning of deeper martial understanding. Everything needed for the EIKA 1st Degree Shodan test