Parkstone Karate

🥋 Happy Monday everyone!

Last week we caught up with our Student of the Month presentations, and we were delighted to present Robin and Harley with their trophies for June and July respectively. 🏆👏

Congratulations to you both — very well deserved!

Now the August trophy is up for grabs, and we already have a number of strong contenders… 👀
Who will it be?

Keep turning up, keep working hard, support your training partners and show us that black belt attitude! 🥋💪
Have a great week everyone — see you at the dojo!

What a great week it’s been at Parkstone Karate! 🥋

Everyone has worked hard on their throwing techniques while building confidence in their breakfalls. It was especially good to see everyone working together, supporting one another and making sure that every student felt included.

Wednesday evening brought us something a little different as we enjoyed viewing the solar eclipse with our students between classes. Sensei Andy’s night became even more memorable when he was lucky enough to spot a meteor after getting home! 🌒☄️
We hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Rest, recharge and we’ll see you all back at the dojo next week! 👊

Congratulations to our Parkstone Karate students!

A huge congratulations to all our students on receiving your A Level results! We are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved and the dedication, hard work and commitment you have shown - not only in your studies, but also in your karate journey.

As you take the next exciting steps into your future, we wish you every success and happiness. We will certainly miss seeing you in the dojo, but we hope you’ll always remember that you will have a place at Parkstone Karate. 🥋❤️

Thank you for all the memories, the training, the laughter and, most of all, your dedication over the years. Wherever your journey takes you, we’ll be cheering you on!

Once a member of the dojo, always part of the Parkstone Karate family. 🥋

🥋 Happy Monday everyone! ☀️
We’re approximately halfway through the summer holidays already, and we hope everyone is having a fantastic break — whether you’re away on holiday or joining us at the dojo!

🥵 With a fifth heatwave being forecast, please remember to stay well hydrated and definitely bring a drink to training.

🌘 There’s also a solar eclipse taking place around 7pm this Wednesday. If you’re planning to try and see it, please make sure you protect your eyes and never look directly at the Sun.

Sensei Megan sent out instructions yesterday showing how to make a simple pinhole camera, which is a safe way to view the eclipse indirectly — and a nice little summer holiday project too!

Have a great week everyone.🥋 See you at the dojo!

Happy Monday everyone!
We hope you all had an amazing weekend.

One of the best things about the last few weeks has been seeing so many new faces joining us at the dojo.

A huge welcome to each and every one of you – we're delighted you've chosen to begin your karate journey with us and we hope you'll enjoy being part of the Parkstone Karate family.

Starting something new can feel daunting. Walking into a dojo for the first time and seeing students wearing higher grades and black belts can be a little intimidating.
But here's something many people don't realise...
The white belt may actually be the hardest belt of all to earn.
Why? Because it takes courage to walk through the dojo doors for the very first time. It takes courage to step onto the mats, try something completely new, and trust yourself enough to begin.

After that first step, you're no longer just thinking about karate – you're doing karate.
And remember...

Every black belt was once a nervous beginner wearing a white belt. Every senior student has made mistakes, forgotten techniques, and wondered if they were good enough. The only difference is that they kept turning up, kept learning, and refused to give up.

So wear your white belt with pride. It represents courage, commitment, and the start of an exciting journey.

We can't wait to see where your karate journey takes you.

Happy Monday everyone! We hope you've all had a fantastic weekend.

One question... what do you do when your running days are behind you, so tackling a full triathlon isn't really an option anymore?

Simple... find two very willing friends, enter as a relay team, and be the cyclist! 🚴😄

Yesterday saw "The Forlorn Hope" take on the Outlaw Original in Nottingham. What should have been a fast bike course turned into something completely different thanks to some incredibly strong headwinds. Imagine trying to pedal through treacle... even downhill! Oh and it rained too!

It certainly wasn't easy, but Sensei Andy kept turning the pedals and, together with David Head and Paul Carlin, we got the job done in the end.

A huge thank you to David and Paul for being such great teammates, and massive congratulations to Sensei Simon and Sensei Claire, who completed the entire event on their own. An incredible achievement and one to be very proud of.
It's a good reminder that success doesn't always come from having perfect conditions. Sometimes it's simply about adapting, persevering, and refusing to give up when things get tough.

Whatever challenges this week brings, keep moving forwards—one step (or one pedal stroke!) at a time.

Have a great week everyone. We'll see you at the dojo! 🥋

Congratulations to all our junior students on passing your latest tag test!

We hope you've all enjoyed your last few days at school and are ready for a fantastic summer break!

If you're heading off on holiday, have an amazing time—we can't wait to hear all about your adventures when you get back (especially if they involve rollercoasters, giant ice creams, or spotting a shark!)

Don't forget, the dojo will remain open throughout the school holidays, and we'd love to see as many of you as possible on the mats. We'll be exploring some different aspects of karate over the summer, so you never quite know what a class might include!

Besides, if you spend all summer playing on your Xbox or eating ice cream, Sensei Andy might have to add a few extra press-ups in September... and nobody wants that!
Have a brilliant summer—we'll see you at the dojo!

As another school year comes to an end, we'd like to wish all of our junior and cadet students the very best for their last few days of term.

Being a student and a karateka isn't always easy. Balancing school, homework, family life and training takes commitment. There are days when you're tired, frustrated or would rather stay at home—but every time you step into the dojo, you're building something far more important than a new belt.

You're developing discipline, resilience, confidence and the determination to keep going when things get tough.

We are incredibly proud of everything our students have achieved this year and hope you all enjoy a well-earned summer break with your families.

Don't forget though—the dojo remains open throughout the school holidays, so there's no need for your karate journey to take a break! We hope to see as many of you as possible in class over the summer as we continue to train, learn and have fun together.

Have a fantastic holiday, and we'll see you at the dojo!

Happy Monday everyone!

A new week means a fresh opportunity to keep moving forward.

Our picture reminds us of something we try to teach in the dojo every week.

Life will always present challenges. There will be days when you're tired, busy, frustrated, or simply don't feel like training. Those obstacles don't disappear just because we complain about them—they're still there waiting to be faced.
The difference is in the attitude we choose to bring.

Every class attended, every technique repeated, every belt earned and every setback overcome is another step up the mountain. Progress isn't always easy, but it is always worthwhile.

So this week, let's choose a positive mindset, encourage those around us, and keep climbing—one step, one class, and one challenge at a time.

Now, before anyone gets worried... we definitely encourage the positive attitude part of the quote. Whether we encourage the singing part probably depends on whether you want to hear Sensei Andy trying to hold a tune! 🎤😂

Have a fantastic week everyone. We look forward to seeing you all in the dojo! 🥋