Skip to content
1840 Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA 52233Monday to Thursday: 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. · Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. · Friday and Sunday: ClosedMonday to Thursday: 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Woman owned
Kihon Karate
(319) 555-0105
Try a class
Try a class

Karate in Hiawatha

Karate for ages 5 to 14, basics first

Every class starts with the same four things: stance, block, kick and bow. Two instructors teach them by age group, in a bright dojo with a wooden floor.

Try a classSee the schedule
  • Ages 5 to 14
  • School-break camps
A row of smiling children in white uniforms and colored belts standing beside their woman instructor in a black belt on a wooden dojo floor

Basics first

Four things every class begins with

Kihon is the Japanese word for the basics. Every age group practices the same four, at its own pace.

  • A boy in glasses holds a stance while his instructor shows the position beside him

    Stance

    Feet set, knees bent, weight low. Held for a few breaths, then a few more.

  • A girl in a hijab holds a pad for a partner while an instructor looks on

    Block

    Arms up and in the right place, with a partner and a pad. Slow first, then on a count.

  • A girl in a hijab kicks a pad held by her instructor while classmates wait in line

    Kick

    Knee up, leg out, foot back down, one kick at a time against a shield.

  • A row of children bowing at the end of class while an instructor stands at the edge of the mat

    Bow

    In at the start, out at the end, and to a partner before every drill.

Weekly classes

Find a class by day or age

Classes run 45 to 60 minutes. Pick a day, then narrow by age group.

Fall session

Showing 9 of 9

  • Monday

    • 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm

      Starters

      Karate · Aja Giddens · Main mat

      Ages 5 to 7White to yellow beltOpenTry a class

    • 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

      Middle group

      Karate · Aja Giddens · Main mat

      Ages 8 to 10All beltsOpenTry a class

    • 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm

      Older group

      Karate · Aja Giddens · Main mat

      Ages 11 to 14All beltsOpenTry a class

  • Tuesday

    • 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm

      Starters

      Karate · Marek Brandl · Main mat

      Ages 5 to 7Orange belt and upOpenTry a class

    • 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

      Middle group

      Karate · Marek Brandl · Main mat

      Ages 8 to 10Green belt and upWaitlistTry a class

    • 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm

      Older group

      Karate · Marek Brandl · Main mat

      Ages 11 to 14All beltsOpenTry a class

  • Saturday

    • 9:00 am – 9:45 am

      Starters

      Karate · Aja Giddens · Main mat

      Ages 5 to 7All beltsOpenTry a class

    • 10:00 am – 11:00 am

      Middle group

      Karate · Marek Brandl · Main mat

      Ages 8 to 10All beltsOpenTry a class

    • 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

      Older group

      Karate · Aja Giddens · Main mat

      Ages 11 to 14All beltsOpenTry a class

Sample classes.

Classes of up to 16 students. Times change by session.

School breaks

Camp weeks when school is out

Mornings and afternoons of basics, games and partner drills, with the same instructors as class.

All camp weeks
School breaks
  • Late DecemberOpen

    Winter break camp

    Stance and balance

    A week indoors with the same instructors as class: balance games, a new kata and a closing circle each day.

    • Ages 5 to 14
    • 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
  • Mid MarchWaitlist

    Spring break camp

    Kicks and pads

    Kicking drills against pads and shields, partner work by age group and a quiet hour after lunch.

    • Ages 5 to 14
    • 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
  • Early JuneOpen

    Summer, week 1

    Katas

    Each age group learns a new kata and teaches a piece of it to the others on Friday.

    • Ages 5 to 14
    • 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Sample sessions.

Weeks follow the school calendar.

Specials

What's on this season

A look at the current specials for new families and camp weeks.

  • Sample coupon: replace with your own offer
    New families Back-to-school special Ask about this season's special when you try a class. Details are on the coupon.
  • Sample coupon: replace with your own offer
    School breaks Camp-week special A special for families who register for a camp week. Details are on the coupon.

Sample offers.

The belt path

Belts from white to black

Each color adds a few skills. Stripes on the belt mark the steps between.

The full belt path

  1. White belt

    Where every student starts
    Skills

    • Bowing in and bowing out

    • A basic stance, feet set and knees bent

  2. Yellow belt

    Skills

    • A front kick against a pad

    • A first block, slow, with a partner

  3. Orange belt

    Skills

    • Moving forward and back in a stance

    • A block and a kick joined in one count

  4. Green belt

    Skills

    • A first kata, a set pattern of moves

    • Blocks to the left and to the right

  5. Blue belt

    Skills

    • A longer kata with turns

    • Partner drills with a block and a reply

  6. Black belt

    Skills

    • All four basics, set and smooth

    • A kata the student chooses

Where to startTry a class

Sample levels.

Every student moves at their own pace.

Questions

What parents ask first

All questions

How old does my child need to be?

Classes start at age 5, and the oldest group is 11 to 14. If your child is nearly 5 or about to turn 15, send us a message and we will talk it through.

Can I watch a class?

Yes. Parents sit on the bench along the mat in every class. At belt tests we ask families to stay quiet and keep phones away.

What does my child wear to a first class?

A plain t-shirt and loose pants, shoes off, hair tied back and no jewelry. A uniform comes after joining.

What is a class like?

Class bows in, warms up with games, practices stance, block, kick and bow with a partner and pads, and bows out. The youngest group spends more time on games; the older groups go deeper on each basic.

How do belts work?

A student tests for the next belt when the instructor sees the skills. Belt tests are a few times a year, during regular class time.

How do I stop if it isn't a fit?

The first three months are a term, then membership runs month to month. Tell us in writing 30 days before your next billing date.

Try a class this week

Pick a class from the schedule, come in and watch how it runs. Bring a water bottle and wear loose clothes.

Try a classCall (319) 555-0105