What you get from White Dragon

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 We teach self-defense, discipline and strength through "sparring" or friendly fighting. Sparring allows you to put into practice all the techniques you learned in class. In-class sparring (as opposed to tournament sparring) allows you to improve in areas that you might need work on.  For instance, you may want to improve your punching range, so you can spar with someone and only throw punches.  And you can always work on the three pillars of defense – blocking, head movement, and footwork. It's a great way to improve your technique, stamina and confidence.      

Do you like to compete?  Then you may want to train for and complete in a martial arts tournament.  Most martial arts tournaments provide you an opportunity to compete in different types of forms (or Katas), weapons, and of course, tournament sparring, which is a point-based sparring match with only one winner. This is where you take everything you learned in class--technique, movements, speed, confidence--and put it into action.  And you'll meet students from other martial arts studios around the Ozarks and possibly make some lifelong friends!

At White Dragon, we teach the proper use of traditional Karate weapons such as the jo and bo staff, along with the Nunchaku, Katana, Kama, and Sai. A weapon is a force multiplier and can be used as an extension of your body when you're fighting. A bo staff (or in a real-life situation, a broom stick) is transformed into a substantial advantage when in the hands of a well trained practitioner. 

Katas/Forms are a series movements that when broken down into their parts, teach you strikes, blocks and movements to improve your skills, balance and strength.  Katas are an integral part of mastering Karate.

Board breaking is exciting and probably one of the most favorite parts of Karate. To be successful at board breaking requires power, technique, control, accuracy, and most importantly, focus.  The ability to strike with as much force as possible, and with the proper distance, breathing, rhythm, and precision requires incredible focus. Training in board breaking forces the student to master these important attributes to win the fight.

Start now and get two free classes to see if you like White Dragon.

Including a punching bag regime in your training will massively boost your Karate in terms of striking power and stability. In fact, using a punching bag for Karate training is the best way to improve the power of your strikes. You’ll see amazing results, and you’ll hit like a tank after training with a punching bag for just a little while.

Our dojo is located in the Lambeth Shopping Center on the corner of Sunshine and Glencrest Ave (just east of Glenstone).  We have plenty of parking and we're very close to all sorts of shopping--drop your students off and go shop at Aldi or the new Hy-Vee just a few blocks away!

Q. Do I need to be strong to join?

A. No. You will get stronger mentally and physically through training!

Q. Is this traditional Karate?

A. We teach a fusion of eastern and western fighting styles to get the best of both worlds.

Q. Why do you use colored belts?

A.  Belts have several roles in the martial arts world. First, they are used to show the level of training you’ve earned though a series of tests, along with your discipline and actions in the classroom. Belts mark your own individual progress, but don't necessarily mean you are a better fighter than someone with a lower belt then you. Second, belts provide a means of rewarding your hard work and dedication—belts are not given--they are earned!  

Q. Do I have to wear a uniform?

A. A Karate uniform is called a gi and is the traditional garment for practicing martial arts. The gi allows for fluid and flexible movement, provides a sense of community (and the rank within), as well as a sense of commitment to the discipline. The gi is meant to remind you that when you put it on, you’re not at home, you’re not at school, you’re not on a date--you’re in a dojo and you’re there to learn.

We don’t expect you to purchase a gi immediately, but after the first month, we’d like you to wear a gi in class. The White Dragon Karate gi is black and has three parts—the jacket, pants, and belt to hold it all together.

Q. Where can I get a uniform?

A. You can purchase your gi online, or you can order one through us. Our gi is made with 100% cotton and comes in all sizes. It is meant to be comfortable and durable, supporting the kinds of movements you make during a fight. Our gi also comes with the White Dragon Karate embroidered patch on the back of the jacket.

Q. How do I sign up?