Traditional Karate Nashville
About
My name is Zack Stewart. I'm the head instructor at Traditional Karate Nashville. I have been training in Karate for over 20 years and it is my passion to share Karate with others. The style of Karate I teach is called Shotokan Karate. It is considered by many to be the most widely pracitced style of Karate World-wide.
I enjoy teaching group classes at my dojo as well as private sessions with a single person or small group. The private sessions can be developed to fit a student's personal goals in Karate.
My qualifications:
Yon-dan (4th degree black) World Traditional Karate Organizaiton (WTKO).
Liscensed Instructor, Examiner, and Referee w/ WTKO.
Student at the National Karate Institute in Los Angeles under the late Master Hidetaka Nishiyama.
US National Director of the WTKO.
See more about me and my dojo at www.TraditionalKarateNashville.com
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
With a new student, especailly one training privately, I begin by discussing what their main interstest is in wanting to learn Karate. There are basic skills everyone must learn in Shotokan Karate, but I think it's helpful to know if they student is first intersted in getting in better shape from training or learning techniques that deal more with self-defense or they just want to learn Karate because they think it's cool!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have trained in the martial arts since 1995. I started Shotokan Karate in 1997. I have attended seminars and special workshsops with many of the top Shotokan instructors in the World.
2004 I moved to Los Angeles to train under the last Master Hidetaka Nishiyama.
2015 I completed the Kenshushei (Instructor's Training Course) at the World Traditional Karate Organization HQ in NYC under Richard Amos Sensei.
I'm still a student at heart. I'm constatnly doing research and trying to find new ways to improve my Karate so I can pass that on to my students.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
These prices are for private lessons taught at my dojo. If I have to travel there is a fee for that, but it is dependent on the distance.
45mins- $55
60mins- $65 (5 lesson package- $300)
How did you get started teaching?
I started my teaching career when I was a kid assiting my instructor with the younger and new students. I found that I enjoyed it and seemed to have a natural ability for breaking down information that the new students could understand and then demonstrate.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students from all kinds of backgrounds. From little 4 year olds to more experienced pracitioners in their 50's and 60's who are looking for get a "tune-up" for their Karate.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
When looking for a teacher in the martial arts make sure it's someone you feel comfortable with first. After that look into their school and students.
One last thing to do some research on is their style and credentials. Many martial arts schools make false claims about what they teach and the qualifications of those teaching. It doesn't always gurantee the quality of instruction, but if the martial arts school is a part of a larger organization the chances are higher you'll recieve better quality instruction since they are held to the standards of that organization.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I think students should really think through what THEY want. Most people say one thing, but really want another. You should feel comforatble enough with your instructor to be honest about your goals from training and not just say what you think the instructor wants to hear.