CLASSES
At the Missouri Karate Association, we offer Traditional Karate for kids as well as adults. Kids Karate classes are broken up into Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced.
Adult Karate classes are divided into Adult Beginners and Adult General. Family Karate classes are a combination of Youth and Adult beginners. See our Class Schedule below to find the classes that would be the right fit for you.
Our Karate classes are taught only by Qualified Instructors. All Instructors have received their rankings under Sensei Nishiyama or his most Senior Instructors.
YOUTH BEGINNERS
White - Orange Belt, 5 - 9 Year olds
In the Youth Beginner Class, we focus on learning the basics of Shotokan Karate which include the 3 basic striking actions: Punching, Blocking and Kicking.
The most basic Stances and movements are learned so students can execute techniques while advancing forward or backward, just like in a real-life scenario.
Kata is introduced, which will be a template for learning how to move, turn, as well as combine techniques into an effective combination. There will be a Basic Introduction to learning how to use distance and timing in a controlled sparring setting.
YOUTH INTERMEDIATE
Blue - Purple Belt, 8 - 12 Year olds
At the Youth Intermediate level we introduce body dynamics, or ways to use the body weight to generate power.
The importance of learning to use the legs and the hips is key for a small person to generate enough power to stop someone big. This is of utmost importance because Karate is about self-defense against all sizes, not just one the same size as you.
Sparring is a little more free form, and both sides begin to develop fighting strategy as well as better timing and distance control.
YOUTH ADVANCED
Brown - Black Belt, 10 years and up
In the advanced class students will be pursuing their own brown or black belt kata with guidance from their Instructor. Katas are chosen based on the qualties of the student, what he/she excels at or what they need improvement on.
Fundamental techniques require a finer tuning of control and precision, and transition between the techniques is much more of a focus. Body dynamics need to be clearly understood and demonstrated on every technique.
Sparring is free at this level, while strategy, distance, timing and pressure are the focus, not just the individual techniques.
ADULT BEGINNERS
White - Blue Belt, 13 years and up
In the Adult Beginners class we focus on understanding the movements as much as executing them. Body dynamics are introduced immediately and are learned along with the basics of striking.
Adults in Karate have different needs than kids, so alignment, posture, and general fitness are covered along with the techniques themselves. Alignment, posture and flexibility being important points as most adults spend 8 hours a day in a chair and have stiffer bodies overall.
Basic sparring timing is introduced at this level to build a base that higher levels of sparring can grow from.
ADULT GENERAL
All Ranks, 13 years and up
In the Adult General class, techniques are taught paired with their body dynamic to demonstrate power generation. Impact training is commonly used to test the effectiveness of any learned techniques.
Katas is more focused on how to get from A to B, not so much the techniques when you finish and end a movement.
Sparring is done in focused drills or in a free setting. Advanced fighting strategy is a common topic along with Distance control, Timing and Pressure.
INSTRUCTORS
SENSEI SEAN HUCHZERMEIER
3rd Degree Blackbelt
Sensei Sean Huchzermeier is a 3rd degree (Sandan) black belt. He received his junior Shodan (1st degree) ranking from sensei James Morrone in 2003. He received his adult Shodan (1st degree) ranking from Sensei Power Sr. in 2007. He received his Nidan (2nd degree) ranking from Sensei Avi Rokah in 2011. In 2017, Sensei Toru Shimoji raised his rank to Sandan (3rd degree).
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Gold medalist in Kumite for 2017 & 2019 Shuhari Institute National cup. Silver & Bronze in 2023 & 2024 US Budo Karate
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Gold medalist in Kata for 2019, & Bronze in 2017 at the Shuhari Institute National cup. Gold & Silver in 2022 & 2024 US Budo.
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3 times US National Team Kumite champion (2011, 2013, 2015)
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4th place in Kumite at the 2013 U.S. Nationals, while his Instructors (The Power Brothers) finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
SENSEI BARRY POWER
3rd Degree Blackbelt
Sensei Barry Power is a 3rd degree (Sandan) black belt. He received his Shodan (1st degree) ranking from Nishiyama Sensei in 1993. He received his Nidan (2nd degree) ranking in 1998 by Nishiyama Sensei and his Sandan (3rd degree) ranking by Smaby Sensei in 2005.
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International Finalist in Kumite (fighting) 2010
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5 times US National Team Kumite champion (2003, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011)
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3 times US National Kumite champion (2010, 2012 & 2013)
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2 times US National Silver Medalist in Kumite (2011 & 2014)