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Shoshin Karate-Do International

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Shoshin Karate-Do International is an established, traditional Shotokan karate school. It is JKA karate in the tradition of Master Funakoshi and Nakayama. Sensei David Johnston, 8th Dan (1937-2016), studied under noted Sensei Kanazawa, Enoida, and Yaguchi, and was formerly assistant Chief Instructor of ISKF Mountain States region, and Technical Director of the AJKA. Today, Sensei Hessam, 5th Dan and senior student to David Johnston, carries on the legacy of his teachers, and the tradition of Shotokan Karate-Do.

Kids Karate

Kids Karate (ages 6 – 12) As a traditional dojo, Shoshin Karate-Do insists on high standards and seriousness that precludes training for children under the age of 6. Children aged 6-11; however, are expected to train with utmost diligence while observing the strict codes of etiquette inherent in traditional forms of budo. The classes here…

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Adults Karate & Women’s Self Defence

Adults Karate The adult karate program at Shoshin Karate-Do begins at 11 years of age. Though younger students are paired according to age and ability, they are treated as adults and are expected to keep up with the adults. As is the case with all traditional forms of budo, emphasis is placed on proper etiquette,…

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Tradition

Shoshin Karate-Do International is founded on the premise that in the beginners mind, the potential for learning and growth is significantly more, than in a mind that is closed due to believing that it already knows. As such, practitioners of this school hearken back to an older time when Karate was practiced as a method…

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“I’m so happy I found this karate place for my children and myself. I’m so satisfied with the skills we’ve learned here and my kids have made great friends as well as learn proper and authentic karate”

– Husain A.

“I love this place! My son started taking karate here over a year ago. The sensei is very caring and does a great job teaching the children the different forms of karate along with disciplining the children to be better students. My son has come so far with karate and I don’t think his growth would have been possible if we went elsewhere. Thank you Sensei! :)”

– Afia J.

“As an out-of-state visitor, I came to Shoshin at the strong recommendation of instructors from back home. Sensei Hessam’s instruction is just what I look for and need in order to grow as a shotokan karate student: consistent emphasis on foundational concepts, repetition, ideas to solidify basics, awareness of each student’s strengths and needs for improvement, creative combinations that cover multiple stances and techniques. I appreciated both the rigor and the encouragement in class. Thank you again, Sensei Hessam! I’m grateful that I now have a go-to dojo for training when I’m away from home and in the area. I’ll be back!”

– Monica S.

“Best karate training along with low prices! My cousins have been coming here ever since they started training and I couldn’t be happier with the skills and discipline they’ve gotten from here.”

– Mona S.

“Great traditional instructions, true to the spirit of karate. Everyone is very supportive and helps each other grow and develop together as a team. For us older folks, it’s a great alternative to doing mindless exercise at the gym. My 6yr old also goes twice a week and now has her 12th Kyu. She has grown so much and I notice how she’s now keenly watching and learning from her peers and appears to be more attentive to what she’s doing and how to treat others with respect. After trying out 4 other “day-care karate” places, this place is a best kept secret that I would easily encourage anyone looking to develop their inner spirit to try out.”

– Duke T.

“If you’re looking for real, traditional Shotokan karate-do, this is the place. This is not entertainment. This not sport karate. This is pure, unadulterated Shotokan karate as practiced by the preeminent, old school Japan karate association.”

– Hessam B.

Recent Posts

  • She Had Me At Hello… December 27, 2019
  • Easy Come Easy go…The Drive Thru Dojo May 21, 2019
  • An Attachment to Detachment May 2, 2019
  • The 31 flavors of Bask….Shotokan Karate April 13, 2019
  • I Failed My Student March 21, 2019
  • The Place for the Way….Dojo October 17, 2017
  • Psst…Hey Kid, Why Ya Doin’ That Stuff Anyway? May 13, 2017
  • Strengthen Your Core, Wear Socks! March 30, 2017

Location of Dojo

30850 Rancho Viejo Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 394-7087

About Us

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few. "
   - Shunryu Suzuki

"When you think of yourself as an expert you have stopped learning. A white belt can be dyed any color at all; a black belt cannot."
   - Sensei David Johnston

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