The instructors at Gyoshi Martial Arts hope that a student will not simply come to class for social interaction.  At the end of each class the students should have learned at least one new skill or corrected some old error.  Though this is a hefty goal, we are confident that each student will choose something from each class and take it to heart.

In training, students are urged to strive for their personal best.  A student will know his or her own limit, and though an instructor will help that person to overcome their limitations, the student is allowed to learn at their own pace.  Personal instruction is a common practice, after all different people learn at different speeds.

Kata is a personal experience.  Though presented in front of others, each student will take from their patterns something completely different than the person beside them.  Realizing this, Gyoshi Martial Arts provides students with the opportunity to study one on one with the sensei.  Often at the end of class students will come up to their instructor asking questions about the class.  This is in fact encouraged.

Karate is not simply patterns, it is also discipline.  On occasion, classes will be strictly devoted to helping students master not only their body, but also their mind.  The skills that are learned will help students achieve their goals, not only in the context of the art but also in their daily lives.

As students pass from white belt to yellow and orange, they are introduced to kumite.  This gives a student the opportunity to see their skills at work in a safe and controlled environment.  Gyoshi Martial Arts sees sparring not only as competition, but also as an opportunity for personal growth.  Students are given the opportunity to find their own applications for skills that have been taught to them.

As a student reaches the higher ranks, they are also introduced to the use of the traditional Okinawan weapons.  The weapon most covered in the ranks before black belt is the bo (the long staff).  However after a student gains their black belt they also begin to train with sai, tonfa, nunchaku and kama.

The martial arts is not only about learning fighting skills.  Though the abilityto defend oneself is a noteworthy one, it is only one of the many benefits.  Karate helps a student achieve personal excellence.  It stimulates physical health and development, while at the same time improving a practitioners self confidence and self discipline.