Sensei Dover's Sai Kata on the Dock

Heatherwood Baptist Church is pleased to offer Yoshukai Karate to students ages eight and up.  Karate is taught by Sensei Joel Dover, our Senior Pastor.  Sensei Dover has studied the Martial Arts for  for 15 years.  He earned a Black Belt (1st ) in Tae Kwon Do in 1987 and a Black Belt (Shodan) in Carucado Karate in 1990.  During college, Sensei Dover took a short break from karate that lasted fifteen years.  He started his training again in 2008 in Yoshukai Karate, and earned his Black Belt (shodan) in 2011.  The Newnan Yoshukai Karate Dojo was founded in January 2012.

Our Karate is also a ministry.  Each class includes prayer, a brief talk time based on Christian living, and general encouragement to live a life that honors Christ.  Further, Karate is offered without monthly dues or annual contracts.  For about the cost of one month’s dues in a commercial Karate school, a student can train with Newnan Yoshukai Karate all year long.

Yoshukai Karate is a traditional Japanese hard style karate, founded by Grandmaster Katsuoh Yammamoto in 1963.  Soke Yammamoto was a student of the Chito-Ryu style, and trained under founder Dr. Chitose. After becoming the undefeated All Japan champion in 1959 and 1960, Soke Yamamoto devoted his efforts to developing Yoshukai Karate.  Soke Yammamoto was declared the Grand Master of Yoshukai Karate by Dr. Chitose in 1961.  Today, Yoshukai Karate is an international Karate style. In the United States, the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization stands alone as operating under the authority of Soke Yammamoto.

The benefits of physical discipline, fitness, self confidence, increased strength, and character development draw many to karate.  We hope that as we practice these disciplines in our unique environment, that we will also draw many to Jesus.

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The World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization website here.