If you would like to watch a class or if you have any questions, call Jennifer or Ken at (780) 707 3693 or email us.
The Northern River Karate School gives new students a free uniform. The traditional white gi and belt is ideal for this work, and helps new students feel included in the dojo (training) community.
There is no upper age limit to membership in the Northern River Karate School. We recommend children start no younger than eight years old. Any child under thirteen years old must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program. (see Family Rates below)
Association fees are two-for-one for families. So, two family members can join the program for the same price as one. Additional family members pay $25 each per month. Click here to see our Fee Schedule.
Classes are organized in a traditional way. That is, all ranks and all ages work together in the same classes. Classes are structured so that beginners can work at their own level.
Classes are held in Edmonton, Alberta in the Belgravia Community Hall (11540 73 Ave.). Click here to see the Class Schedule.
Karate classes are Tuesdays 7:45pm to 9:00pm, Thursdays 6:15pm to 7:15pm (Beginners Class), 7:15pm to 8:45 (Advanced Class) and Saturdays 10:30am to 12 Noon. Northern River Karate School also hosts a Yoga Class Tuesdays 6:15pm to 7:40pm, and Saturdays 9:00am to 10:15am. Click here to see the Class Schedule.
Class size varies, but we feel that overly large classes detract from a healthy learning environment. Classes are rarely as large as 15 students, and usually 10 students or fewer.
Naturally, you always miss something of value when you miss part of a class, but we feel it is better to come to part of a class than to not come at all.
The basic rate for membership in the Edmonton Northern River Karate School Association is $70.00 per month, paid with 12 post-dated cheques. This basic rate will cover two family members. Additional family members pay $30.00 per month for membership. Click the links to see our Fee Schedule, or to learn about Association Memberships.
No. After all, being “in shape” is specific to specific activities. So you may be in shape to run a marathon but that does not mean you are in shape to lift a heavy weight, for instance. Increased levels of fitness occur naturally as Karate students work through the curriculum. The Northern River Karate School has a curriculum and a grading system but no time minimums. So, you will move at your own rate through the curriculum until you are fit enough for more advanced work. In addition, NRKS workouts are not run in a militaristic fashion and all students are encouraged to be attentive to their own needs and not push themselves too hard too soon.
The three-classes-a-week schedule is a very good one for most students but you will need to find a schedule of classes that works for you. Click here to read Ken’s articles on class attendance.
The Northern River Karate School is run by the Edmonton Northern River Karate School Association, which is a non-profit society. There is a volunteer board that all adult members are eligible to participate in. The board supports the school through fund raising, events coordination, and community service and gives members resources for their Karate training. The Program Director and head instructor is Ken Read, Uechi Ryu Godan (5th degree black belt). Click here to learn more about the association and its mandate.
Ken Read, Uechi Ryu Godan (5th degree black belt), is Northern River Karate School’s Program Director and Head Instructor. Ken teaches most of the Karate classes, and leads the Saturday morning Sitting Meditation session and the Qi gong class.Jennifer Bustin, Sandan (3rd degree Black Belt), is the school’s Personnel Advisor and Sempai (most senior student). She helps Ken keep track of everyone’s progress and readiness for rank promotion. Jennifer leads the Tuesday evening Yoga Class.J.C. Jones, Sandan (3rd degree Black Belt) teaches the Thursday evening Kobudo Class (Traditional Okinawan Weapons).
Yes. Ken’s teacher is David Mott, Hatchidan (8th degree black belt). David’s teacher is George Mattson, Kudan (9th degree black belt). George’s teacher was Okinawan Grandmaster Kanei Uechi, who studied with his father Kanbun Uechi. Kanbun studied in China with Shushiwa in the early 1900’s. This lineage continues into the indefinite past. Currently, David Mott teaches at his Cold Mountain Dojo in Toronto, the most senior Uechi Ryu school in Canada. Through David Mott, we are affiliated with George Mattson who teaches in Boston, Mass. and heads the International Uechi Ryu Federation. All our black belt ranks are certified by the IUKF, through David Mott.