Beginners Course Overview

At Choyokan, beginning classes are the first Thursday of each month at 7:30P. The cost is $60/month. After 4-6 weeks, or depending on class progression, you can join regular practices - Tues/Thurs 7:30P, and Sat/Sun 10:00AM for the same $60/mo.  The goal of the Thursday beginners class is to get students up to speed so they can move into practice with the regular class without disrupting it or without having to separate out instructors from regular class.. All you need is comfortable clothes (t-shirt/shorts or sweats) and a shinai - you can buy one from www.e-bogu.com, order size 37 for pre-teens, 38 for teens and women and 39 for adult men.  They are all quality shinai on that site, so an inexpensive complete one is fine - be careful they also just sell the bamboo, you will need a complete one. Please bring a shinai to the first session.

Classes are sequential, so if you know you cannot attend all of the first few classes, wait and join during a month when you can.

After 4-8 months of regular practice we will help you choose bogu (armor) to buy - usually from a online retailer ($600-$800+). There are cheaper sets available, but they are not very durable or protective and are not recommended.

Course Outline

Week 1

Reiho (Etiquette)
Kamae (stance)
Ashi sabaki (footwork)
Basic suburi

Week 2

Review and refine lessons from Week 1
Refining suburi
Basic kihon

Week 3

Review and refine past lessons
More kihon
Kirikaeshi

Week 4 - 6

Review of kirikaeshi
Main class participation with a Sensei “shepherd” assisting

Includes both Adult and Children.  Focus more on basics and drills. 

Introductory children classes are Saturdays at 10:00a-11:00a.

The cost is $45/month. After 4 weeks, or depending on class progression, you can join basic practice which runs concurrently from 11a-12p for the same $45/mo.  The goal of the introductory beginners class is to get students up to speed so they can move into this class without disrupting it or without having to separate out instructors for individuals. All you need is comfortable clothes (t-shirt/shorts or sweats) and a shinai - you can buy one from www.e-bogu.com, order size 37 for pre-teens, 38 for teens and women and 39 for adult men.  They are all quality shinai on that site, so an inexpensive complete one is fine - be careful they also just sell the bamboo, you will need a complete one. Please bring a shinai to the first session.

If you are under 18, you will need a waiver signature or permission letter from your legal guardian, and unless old enough to drive we ask that your ride home be at class.

The new beginner children class usually is the first Saturday of every month.  Classes are sequential, so if you know you cannot attend all of the first few classes, wait and join during a month when you can.

After 4-8 months of regular practice you will be allowed to move into the main class.  We will help you choose bogu (armor) to buy - usually from an online retailer ($600-$800+). There are cheaper sets available, but they are not very durable or protective and are not recommended.

You are encouraged to attend a Saturday class before you start to watch and see if Kendo is what you had in mind.