We are all unique - find your own path at the dojo

Even if you have already experienced ‘karate’ in the past, you will find that we teach Karate in the same way you would learn in Japan. We feel that this is important because the system of Japanese karate has been tried and tested over the centuries, and it works! The Japanese are also still regarded as the most proficient and adept practitioners of the art in the world, and I believe learning the Japanese way ensures progress the right way.

I started my journey 32 years ago and have continued daily practice to become one of the highest ranked Sensei in JKS England, reaching my 5th Degree Black Belt in the summer of 2019 and being asked to become Assistant England Team Coach too.

Martial Arts is something the whole family can do together. It's a powerful system for women and girls to learn to increase their self defence knowledge. Probably because I have 3 daughters, I feel it is our social responsibility to empower women locally and this is why we have provided free regular self-defence courses for over 2 years. We are now seeing more women winning competitions year on year as a result. This is just another way the DōJō has become a unique hub for everyone in the local community.

We have made sure that you can choose a martial art that best suits your own unique requirements and that's why we offer three amazing martial arts. Each are taught and practiced to the highest standards. So no matter your choice you will easily immerse yourself and produce amazing results. This is also a great way to get in shape, learn new values, and develop habits that will help you succeed at home and in the world around you.

We find that a lot of our family groups love learning together and end up creating memories that last forever. That’s what joining a family focussed community at Can Do Martial Arts DōJō is all about. We want your learning experience to be right for you and everyone in the family.

The third martial art we teach is called Jeet Kune Do (Jeet Kune Do). This martial art made Bruce Lee an international icon, responsible for changing the course of martial arts as we know it forever! Before Mixed Martial Arts (MMA?), before the UFC and before John Wick, there was Jeet Kune Do or Jeet Kune Do.

Despite Bruce Lee being facing both language barriers and racism he managed to become the first Asian international film superstar, creating one of the most talked about movies of all time - Enter The Dragon. Bruce Lee created the concept of Jeet Kune Do ( or way of the Intercepting Fist) which he showcased in this iconic movie. 

Although Jeet Kune Do has no system, it borrows from any style or art needed to allow the practitioner to become effective in any environment or situation, adapting to one’s opponent.

Being able to flow from one method to the next seamlessly is key in Jeet Kune Do, whilst an open mindset driven by self-expression is a core element too. Bruce Lee courageously broke away from both traditional practices and etiquettes creating a fluid formless form, and as he put it ...become water my friend... 

Over the short time he was with us he taught some of Hollywood’s greats such as Steve McQueen and James Coburn charging $1000 an hour back in the 60’s!

His most prominent student and training partner however was Dan Inosanto. Dan was an elite level athlete in high school and skilled in the Filipino Martial Arts and Kempo Karate when he met Bruce Lee.

Recognising the skill and passion in him, Bruce Lee charged Dan with developing the system of Jeet Kune Do and to further its teachings when he left to produce movies in Hong Kong. Dan Inosanto has gone on to be recognised as one of the greatest exponents of martial arts the world has ever seen. 

I have had the fortune of training with him both in the UK, and at his DōJō in Marina Del Ray, Los Angeles. Both myself and my team Jordan and Scott are direct students of Guro Dan Inosanto in the teachings of Bruce Lee.

For me, one of the brilliant things about martial arts is that as you progress through your belt levels you will always know exactly what skill level you have reached and what you need to achieve next in order to progress.

Your skill levels are recognised by the belt you will wear, which represents the levels of grading you have attained. 

Generally the longer you stick at training, the higher your skill and grade levels become.

Grading is a brilliant process as it brings out the competitor within you, and you learn to challenge your own self-belief and perception of what you can do.

Having an end target in mind to achieve a Black Belt ensures that you are constantly pushing your limits to new heights, so not only do you feel yourself getting highly skilled but you are rewarded for your efforts both externally with a belt and internally with the development of your self-esteem and confidence in your skills. 

Socially martial arts is great. It’s awesome being surrounded by passionate people who are interested in the same thing, and everyone has a story to tell you about their last grading or competition, or a great instructor they met. 

Martial Arts really changes your life in a hugely positive way, creating a new circle of friends, opening your mind to new cultures and practices and imbuing you with vitality and great health and levels of self-esteem.

Check out our free eBook and Video Walkthrough series and get all your questions answered.