Our classes

Brighton University (classes operating via Zoom during Tier 4 restriction)
University of Brighton
Village Way
Falmer
Brighton
BN1 9PH
How much?
During Tier 4, so we can support everyone who is struggling, all classes will be via Zoom and will be £2.50 per household.
Our normal fees can be seen below.
We offer the following options for payment of classes:
First class is always free!
Students
Semester 1:
- Training from start of student year (October) until Christmas
- Licence
- Club membership
- GI (Karate Uniform)
£50
Semester 2:
- Training from new year (January) until end of exams (June).
£50
Adults
Single session: Members £5.50
Monthly standing order: 2 classes per week £40.00
Licence
A licence (£25.00 for new members) is required for insurance and to allow you to grade.
University of Brighton Sports Federation membership
The University of Brighton requires everyone who trains within university premises reguarly to purchase a Sports Federation Card to contribute to the running/upkeep of facilities.
Cards can be purchased from the university for £15.00/year see: https://shop.brighton.ac.uk/product-catalogue/sport-brighton/merchandise/student-club-bronze-standard
GI ('karate suit'): Lightweight gis are available from club for £15
Mitts (hand protectors): £9.50 (optional)
Groin guard / chest guards / mouth guard: £7.50 - £15.00 (optional)
Training shoes (for COVID-safe training): £18.00
Contact Us
Get in touch to book your free session!
About Us
Seishin Shotokan Karate Club
Seishin Shotokan Karate Clubs, established 2009 by Sensei Jason Cunningham, is twinned with Ichiban Shotokan Karate Club (Crawley; ichibanskc.org)
Seishin Shotokan Karate Clubs teach a mix of traditional Shotokan karate and self-defence. We are a non-for-profit club that pride ourselves on our fun, yet disciplined, approach to training whilst maintaining our exceptional standards.
Seishin means spirit (as in spirited mind, spirited heart) in Japanese; a quality we hold in high esteem, the club offers traditional training based on the principles of the "Dojo Kun":
- Seek perfection of character
- Be faithful and sincere
- Cultivate the spirit of effort and perseverance
- Be respectful and courteous
- Refrain from impetuous and violent behaviour
In other words, it means that we strive, through regular training, to improve ourselves and learn respect for others. This, in turn, can then be applied to all other areas of life. The "Dojo Kun" is applied in all clubs, so no matter which one you attend; the basic principles are the same. Classes vary in both pace and content, so no matter your age or ability, you should find something that works for you.
Karate
Karate is a system of self-defence and physical culture originally developed and refined in Okinawa and Japan. The word is formed from the Japanese words Kara (empty) and Te (hand), symbolising that its practitioners - Karateka - are unarmed, but use their hands and feet for blocking and striking. Training is conducted within an environment and code based on Japanese cultural practices, which are explained in more detail further on.
There are various styles of Karate and Shotokan is the most widely practiced style in the world. The originator of Shotokan was Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan school teacher, who first demonstrated his style of Karate in Japan in 1921. The following year he moved to Japan to teach and was elected honorary Head of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) when it was formed in 1949.
Shotokan
In 1609 Japan invaded Okinawa, and further to the ban on weaponry, placed a ban upon anyone doing martial arts, and so martial arts training became shrouded in secrecy. Over 300 years two styles evolved, Shorin-ryu which developed from Shuri and Tomari and Shorei-ryu which came from Naha.
Gichin Funakoshi was born in 1868 and began studying martial arts at a very young age, under Anko Itosu and Yasutsune Azato. The ban on martial arts still stood, and so Funakoshi would often have lessons with his instructors at night time, so not to be discovered. Tode, the martial arts of Okinawa could also be pronounced 'kara' and Funakoshi gave this the alternative meaning of 'empty' and so his training became known as Karate.
The ban on martial arts was finally lifted in 1902 when Shintaro Ogawa, the Commissioner of Education recommended that martial arts should be included in physical education in the first middle school of Okinawa. This meant that Funakoshi could continue his training in without fear of discovery, and he could now spread the word of his karate.
Funakoshi was invited to Japan in 1922 to give a demonstration of Karate at the First National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo, after which he decided to remain in Japan to spread the word. It is thanks to his efforts that Karate became part of the school curriculum in Japan.
The style name Shotokan was given to Funakoshi's karate by his students. Shoto was Funakoshi's pen name as a writer, meaning 'pine waves' and Kan means 'school' so those who trained at Funakoshi's 'school' became known as the Shotokan. In 1948 Funakoshi established the Japan Karate Association and he remained the head of the JKA until his death in 1957.
Nakayama was a senior student of the JKA and took over the role of head of the Association. Nakayama began studying Shotokan under Funakoshi Sensei, at Takushoku University in 1932. Now Nakayama is held responsible for the worldwide development of Shotokan Karate. Nakayama developed a way of logically teaching karate. He decided that it was best to devise a way of teaching different abilities easily. He developed the instructor programme and karate's first ever match system.
It is thanks to Nakayama Sensei that karate is as successful a martial art as it is today. Nakayama Sensei passed away in 1987, at the age of 74.
Black belts (Yudansha)
Gallery

Training with Sensei Stuart Amos

Out for a meal at Brighton Marina

Rebecca at the Southern Championships

Training with Sensei Bob Rhodes

Group social - summer 2016

Black belts training with Sensei Bob Rhodes in Brighton

Christmas Meal 2016

New belts!!

Zorb Football Brighton Social

Medal winners from Southern Region Championships

Training flexibility!

Neon Golf at Brighton Marina
Important information regarding COVID-19
Following advice from the Government and the English Karate Federation, Seishin has implemented safety precautions following the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19. Your safety, current and new students, is at the centre of what we do because without you the club would not be what it is today. Therefore, we have set out some precautionary measures of what to expect when coming to the Dojo:
- If you are feeling unwell, you must not attend training. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 you must arrange a test and isolate
- There will be temperature checks on arrival. Hand sanitiser will be available and must be used before and after training
- The Dojo will be ventilated for safety. There will be an online booking system to ensure the number of students training are safe for the space available
- The changing rooms will be shut, so please arrive in your gi and indoor trainers. For new students, please wear comfortable sportswear
- It is mandatory to wear a mask whilst arriving for training, you will be told when you can remove them. Please follow the venue guidelines
- All training will be socially distanced, participants must avoid shouts/kiais
- We will be taking a register with contact details to assist the Government’s track and trace
Whilst these precautions might appear unsettling, the club is implementing them so everyone can enjoy training whilst feeling safe. Seishin will continue to strive for excellence, with your safety being a top priority.