Kosho School Of Karate

All have all new students take an Introductory Course, which consists of 3 private 30 minute lessons with one of our staff instructors.  The cost for the Introductory Course is $50.

For people new to the martial arts the Intro Course will consist of an explanation about the customs and history of karate, an orientation to our school and how we teach, learning fundamentals and a few self-defense techniques.  This course will give you an idea if martial arts is something you would like to pursue, and if so you will be able to smoothly transition into regular classes.

If you have previous martial arts experience, the Intro Course will serve as in orientation to our dojo so that you can understand any etiquette rules that differ from your old school, learning the fundamentals of our style, and getting to know the instructors.  At the same time, we will be evaluating your ability to determine which of our classes are best suited for you. Please keep in mind the old martial arts saying, “First, empty your cup so that it may be filled.”!

Our classes are taught by professional adult instructors who have spent decades training in the martial arts. All of our instructors are certified by multiple national and international martial arts organizations.  All of our teachers have have traveled, trained, and competed with the top instructors in the world. 

Head Instructor, Sensei David Hamann has been training in the martial arts for over 45 years.  He has opened and managed various schools around the midwest and Cincinnati, training with most of the top instructurs in the US during that time.  He has been a member of our school for almost 40 years, teaching weekly classes for the majority of that time. He is the highest ranking person in our style of karate in the United States Karate-Do Kai, one of the top karate organizations in the US.

Staff Instructor Robert Volz has been training for over 40 years, and has been been teaching a weekly class since the early 1980s.  Over the years, he has personally worked with every student that has passed through our school. His insistance on perfect technique and approchable attitude have helped to produce some of the best black belts in the US.

Staff Instructor Nate England has been training for almost 25 years.  He was an instructor at one of the largest dojos in the US before founding karate clubs at the U of I and Miami University.  He spent 3 years training in Japan before returning to the US and becoming a member and instructor at our school. 

We also have multiple volunteer instructors who are equally qualified!

Our pricing depends on how long you sign up for.

Introductory Course: 3 Half-Hour Lessons = $50 Total

12 Month Course:      $83.33/mo (x 12 Months)      = $1000 Total

6 Month Course:        $100/mo (x 6 Months)           = $600 Total

3 Month Course:        $116.67/mo (x 3 Months)      = $350 Total

Month-to-Month:      $150/mo (x 1 month)             =$150 Total

You can add an additional family member to any program for an additional $50/month.

Private lessons are taught by staff instructors at the following rates:

Sensei Hamann:         $45 per 1/2 Hour or $80 per Hour

Mr. Volz:                     $30 per 1/2 Hour or $50 per Hour

Mr. England:               $30 per 1/2 Hour or $50 per Hour

Senior Instructor Sensei David Hamann began his karate training in 1973  under Sensei Phillip Koeppel, Shorei-ryu Chief Instructor & Director of the USKK. Hamann enrolled in the newly opened Pekin, Illinois dojo, one of several schools Sensei Koeppel operated across the central United States. Soon after his promotion to yellow belt, Hamann began business management training with plans of some day operating one of Sensei Koeppel’s schools and began teaching weekly classes shortly afterwards.

Staff Instructor Robert Volz had heard about karate in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, but Karate had not yet become commercialized, and there were no dojos in the area.  In 1976 he finally got his chance to study when he started training with Shuri Ryu Chief Instructor & World Karate Champion, Sensei Michael Awad, at the dojo in his family home.  As the Kosho School of Karate continuted to grow and opened a storefront location in 1981, and another in 1983, Volz was given the responsibility of  teaching weekly classes, which he has been doing ever since.

Staff Instructor Nate England began studying martial arts in 1995 at the Academy of Okinawan Karate (one of the largest dojos in the US at the time) in Peoria, IL under I.S.A Shuri Ryu Chief Instructor, Shihan Joseph Walker. As a purple belt he began teaching a weekly class and as a brown belt he began joining staff meetings, becoming the school’s student manager.

Between our 3 staff instructors, and multiple volounteer instructors, there is not a type of student that we HAVEN'T worked with!   

Most adult students are looking for a good workout without the repetition of running or lifting weights. They want something that works their mind, as well as their body!  Learning an interesting part of Japanese culture as well as practical self-defense techniques is an added incentive for many.

Our junior students often want learn the moves that they have seen on TV or cartoons, while their parents want them to learn discipline and focus. Or Kids & Family class even lets both of them work out together!

Over the years, we have worked with students with a variety of challenges including those that are deaf, blind, amputees, a variety of learning disabilites, and every type of "old" injury you can imagine. You don't have to be in shape to start karate at our school, but you will be surprised how quickly you see improvements in both your conditioning and your physique!  Everyone has different reasons for training in the martial arts and different challeges to face, but as long as you come to class, listen to the instructor, and train seriously you will make progress.

The only type of student that we can't work with, are the one's who don't come to class!

December was a big month at the school, as almost all members under black belt received a promotion. This is unusual at our school, because in we maintain very high standards for advancement in order to keep in-line with other top schools around the world.  At our school, belts are must be earned, never given!

That being said, we have a great group of adult students that spent a lot of hours and shed a lot of sweat to earn their next belt, and we couldn't wait any longer to move them up!

Most juniors had not received a promotion in almost a year, as they are required to learn the same material as the adults. All represented themselves well at the exam and passed. All junior students are expected to perform well, pay attention, and are learnning REAL martial arts from the very first class. If you are looking for your 6 year old to have a black belt after 6 months, we are NOT the school for you!   

It is important for you to have an idea of what you want to get out of the martial arts and to find a school & teacher that you are comfortable with. If you are looking for self defense, you might not fit into a school that specializes in tourmant competitition.  If you are looking for a hard workout, you might get bored at a dojo that only has older members that like to discuss philosophy.  And vice versa! Try to stop in and watch a class before you sign up, ideally one of the classes that you would be attending! Also, talk to the staff and instructors about any questions you might have. But please be courteous if there is a class going on, sometimes it is difficult for instructors to stop class to talk to visitors. Be sure to wait for a break in the action!

Whatever martial art you want to study, be sure that you are working with a qualified instructor. Unfortunately, martial arts is an activity where unscrupulous people with minimal training, and no certifiation of any kind, have opened schools or founded their "own style" in order to take advantage of people financially or to satisfy their own ego. Someone looking to begin their martial arts training often has difficulty recognizing this type of instructor, and faces the real possibilty of being injured by an inexperiend teacher,  not really learning what they are paying for, and wasting months or years before they realize this. 

In recent years, many legitimate martial arts schools have simplifed their curriculum to cater to younger and younger students and awarded faster and faster promotions in order to make a quick dollar.  Dangerously, the students at these schools have received a false sense of accomplishment, are not actually learning what they signed up for, and are practicing techniques that would not work in a real-life situation. Try to find a school that has classes for your age group, and where the students seem to be traing seriously. 

Whatever instructor you are considering training with, you should feel free to talk with them (politely!) about their experience and certification and be sure that their schools is a good fit for you and your goals. 

There are many benefits to training in the martial arts. Before meeting with your potential teacher, try to have an idea of the top 2 or 3 things that you want to get out of your training.  Are you training to get in shape, learn self defense, be a tournament champion, build confidence, cultural study, stress releif, discipline & focus, or just looking for a hobby? 

Also, think about your schedule.  Real progress in the martial arts takes 2-3 classes a week.  Are you able to make the class times?  Are you willing to put in the necessary hours to progress?

Do you have any special concerns that the teacher should be a aware of? Whether is a sore knee, an emotional issue (you don't have to tell them specifics), or an existing medical condition, you should be sure to let the instructor know so that he can be prepared to handle any situation appropriately. 

There are no shortcuts, but the more you enjoy your training the more you will put into it and the faster you will progress!