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OUR STORY
All welcome!
We are a warm, friendly and successful adult-only central London-based karate organisation that welcomes students of all abilities.
Friendly
We come together as a network of friendly, like-minded people for whom Karate and the community has been life-enhancing.
Empower
Our mission is to empower every individual to lead a more confident and enhanced life. Everyone deserves to feel safe and empowered.
OUR PROGRAM
At SHINBOKU, we understand and encourage all aspects of traditional and modern Karate. Whilst the practice of karate must be aesthetic, it must also have ‘meaning‘. In other words, it must have the priority of having ‘impactive effect‘ – it must work.
Our approach is based on Karate at the heart, appreciating the great foundation it has given us, and on which, we build our own unique self-defence and combat systems to cater for all levels & interests.
It is no surprise that our curriculum extensively covers the following combative methods; striking techniques, grappling, joint locks, pressure points, chokes & strangles, throws & takedowns, ground fighting techniques, knives and other commonly used weapons.
Our lessons are useful, fun and taught by experts.
TRADITIONAL
FUNDAMENTALS
FORMS
APPLICATIONS
COMBATIVE
Integral to the SHINBOKU syllabus to form a martial art that is highly effective 'on the street'.
MODERN KARATE
SPORTS & COMPETITIVE KARATE
We compete regionally, nationally and internationally.
European and World champion seminars are hosted each year.
SELF PROTECTION
SELF-DEFENCE
Incorporated throughout our syllabus.
No-nonsense, effective techniques for defending yourself from a violent and untrained attacker.
STREET SAFE
Times & LoCATIONS
Our main dojo is located in LSBU Active Sports Centre, 116 London Road, Elephant & Castle.
All levels are welcomed.
Shinboku also delivers instruction at the KCL Dojos below which are open to all members. Pre-booking closes 12 hours before, however, you are welcome to attend and pay as you go.
Shinboku
Home Dojo
LSBU Active Sports Centre, Elephant & Castle, 116 London Rd, London SE1 6LN
Times (Studio Room 1):
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Tuesdays 8-9.30PM
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Thursdays 7-8.30PM
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Saturdays 11-12.30pm
Open to all members
Age 18+
All beginners welcome
Meet OUR Instructors
SHINBOKU strives to provide the highest level of martial arts instruction. All of our instructors have developed their martial arts ability through years of training and tuition. In addition to karate experience, our instructors have training in grappling and throwing techniques and are expert martial artists in their own right. Many have competed at national and international levels.
Albert Lukaj
3rd Dan
Albert has been practicing karate for over 18 years, after joining the club at King's College London as a student and white belt. He enjoys encouraging students to “think outside the box” in fighting situations and endeavours to combat any sense of being ‘too small’ or ‘too weak’. Albert has also taught a number of self-defense courses for corporate customers including the Women’s Institute, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and BeActive.
Roberta Vullo
2nd Dan
Roberta first joined Shinboku as a novice whilst a student at King's College London in 2014 and is one of our longest serving members. Roberta continued to train with hunger and determination and progressed from novice to black belt, achieving her 1st Dan by June 2018. Roberta was very quickly invited to teach at Shinboku and has been our main female instructor and in Sept 2024 successfully passed her 2nd Dan grading with John Johnston, 7th Dan and Chief Instructor of Adaptive Karate. Roberta is particularly keen on practical karate and self defence, having taught a several private and corporate self-defence seminars
Alex Stewart-Moreno
2nd Dan
Alex joined Shinboku as a 1st Dan in 2021 having trained extensively growing up. While managing a demanding legal career, Alex quickly demonstrated his commitment to training and to the club, embracing our syllabus and stepping into a teaching position by 2023. In Sept 2024, He has successfully passed his 2nd Dan grading with John Johnston, 7th Dan and Chief Instructor of Adaptive Karate. Alex is particularly interested in the application of Kata and Kumite in a non-competitive setting.
Gonçalo Miranda da Costa
1st Dan
Gonçalo first joined Shinboku as a novice after his first free trial in Sept 2017. Through sheer dedication and hard work, he progressed through the grades to black belt, passing his 1st Dan 5 years later in Sept 2022. Gonçalo was invited to teach as an instructor a few months later and has since been teaching regularly. He's passionate about all aspects of practical karate and self defence.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Alex, Red Belt
I have trained at several different karate clubs in London and can genuinely say that Shinboku is the best. It combines great teaching with a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for people at all levels. Beginners are always welcome and get integrated into the classes really well. It's accepted that people will progress at their own pace. We're really lucky to have several excellent black belts as teachers, all of whom have different specialties and teaching styles. Our club has a number of different locations and times so you can train as suits you. And it's very cheap! This club really is the best of the best
Ahmed, Yellow Belt
The thing I learned from Shinboku is not to be scared, to try & move no matter what age you are. Before I started I was too worried to fall over and hurt myself but as I progressed, I began to feel comfortable and was able to do the thing that I thought I never could do. One of the things that makes Shinboku unique is that they don't teach you bad habits , and they help build your confidence, gradullay. This club teaches you to condition yourself mentally and physically so you're able to walk away with confidence. The other thing about this club it doesn’t just make you Strong and Healthy, but it also helps you deal with personal life such as work and how to be successful in your job or giving you advice when things dont turn out as you expect it. Karate is not a race and you learn at your own pace. My advice is keep trying and you eventually find the path to achieve your goal.
Stefania, Yellow Belt
I started at karate Shinboku by chance after finding their website on internet. I found a very friendly group of people that have welcomed me since the very beginning. The instructors are very good at teaching the principles of karate and the whole discipline helps you boost your confidence and focus. Definitely good for me :)
Anna, Yellow Belt
Before I joined Shinboku I had never done any martial arts in my life, and thought sports weren't really for me. But after the first class I was hooked - the instructors adapted their training to each individual's skill-set or experience, and created an incredibly welcoming atmosphere. After training for a few years I felt much stronger, capable, and confident, having learnt to push myself and perform in public. I had also grown to know the most amazing people in London - as likely to show you how to do a flying kick as challenge you to a game of beer pong!
Lisi, Green Belt
The karate Shinboku club is a place for training hard and fun. You learn the traditional karate (kata, Kumite, Kihon and Bunkai), how to defend yourself (street safe), very important for everyone, especially girls and bonus you get to socialize with amazing people, from all kinds of backgrounds. You will sweat, get stronger, resilient and confident. The instructors are all well trained and they understand how to push you towards your full potential. Join the Shinboku family, it is more than just a Karate club, here you can get fit, healthy and also make friends for life!
Misho, Red Belt
I joined Shinboku following a 14-year-long "karateless" period. I was instantly welcomed by an awesome group of dedicated, friendly and supportive people. The instructors, in particular, are simply outstanding in their teaching efforts, guidance and support. They are always committed and passionate and effectively complement each other. The other aspect that really makes Shinboku stand out as a club is the abundance of "topics" covered during the sessions - namely, traditional karate, but also self-defence, ground work, hanbo and other practical real-life applications. For me, personally, the karate sessions have been instrumental in catalysing the improvement of my self-discipline, focus and confidence as well as my physical and mental health. Join the Shinboku family and embark on a life-altering journey full of a variety of challenges and rewards and, of course, loads of great friends to share them with!
MEMBERSHIP
FIRST LESSON IS 50% OFF!
There is an annually recurring membership fee of £40, which also covers affiliation fee, insurance, and various other benefits.
Payment can easily be made online.
There are THREE ways you can pay for lessons:
First time?
Returning?