Hello, I am new to this thread and I am looking for a Kyokushin dojo in the D.C./Maryland area. So far, all I have found is "Phoenix Karatedo Association." Does anyone know anything about this place and its credentials? If not, does anyone know another Kyokushin dojo in Maryland? If not Kyokushin, does anyone know of a true, authentic Karate-do dojo (shotokan,etc.) in Maryland. Authenticity is very important to me and I want to avoid McDojos at all costs. Thanks for any help.

First off: Try www.kyokushin4life.com The guys over there are very helpful.

Second: What is "Authentic Karate"? And why is it so important to learn it? Also, if you choose Shotokan I'd be very weary. From what I can tell those guys tend to be kata goons and point sparrers (Not all, just all I've ever met).

A place can still be authentic, yet still be a McDojo or just plain shitty at the same time. I mean, that Funo-whatsit guy who made Shotokan was known for his dislike of sparring. Instead of searching for "Authentic" Karate you should be looking for Karates that are "Effective" such as Kyokushin that put a heavy emphasis on full contact sparring. (Similar to Randori in Judo)

Also, Karate McDojos are everywhere. I recommend Judo, we keep McDojoism in our art in the "Slim to none" range. (My little shpeal on Judo nuthugging)

And while it IS the Japanophile forum I gotta say taking a kickboxing (Could be KK or MT based, and NOT the cardio stuff) gym as an alternative to karate might be a safer bet at this point in time.

Hope this helped.

Thanks...I was thinking of training in Judo instead, but I really want to start with a striking martial art, and Kyokushin seems the best, I just need to find a good dojo, and they don't seem to be very common.

Anytime. And any more advise from me after reading that post will mostly be "DO JUDO" ;)

Here's a Kyokushin dojo at George Mason University: http://www.gmu.edu/org/karateclub/index.htm

Why not train both Judo and Kyokushin? They make a great couple....

Yeah...I would love to train both Kyokushin and Judo...my ultimate goal is to reach at least shodan in both. However, I don't have that much time and I want to focus on one and reach shodan before starting the next. If I trained both simultaneously, I wouldn't reach shodan for 15 years! Im still looking for a kyokushin dojo, but does anyone know of any good Judo dojos in Maryland?

http://www.shufujudo.com/

Good choice in Judo. I haven't heard about these guys (Considering I'm not in the National level and thus don't hear about anyone outside of Mass) but they are associated with the USJF which is always a good sign (Association with ANY of the orgs I mean).

Good choice in Judo.

Yeah...I would love to train both Kyokushin and Judo...my ultimate goal is to reach at least shodan in both. However, I don't have that much time and I want to focus on one and reach shodan before starting the next. If I trained both simultaneously, I wouldn't reach shodan for 15 years! Im still looking for a kyokushin dojo, but does anyone know of any good Judo dojos in Maryland?

It will probably still take you 15 years to reach shodan in both styles even if you train them separately. You should check out the Kyokushin dojo I linked to.

I know it'll still take around 15 years, but I would rather reach shodan in one style earlier, then do the other. Or at least start with one style for the first couple years.

hey acura,
I can tell you that Phoenixkarate is the real thing I've been there for 3 years and its taught in a traditional setting and it is not like the other guy said "Kata Crazy". Kyokushin in true budo karate. we train hard and the kumite is not point based it is knock down/knock out. the contact level is similar to muay thai but is still taught in a traditional japanese karate setting. If you check it out you can see for your self that its hard core. I train at the Rockville dojo. ask for Gary or Cathy they are the two Shihans that teach classes. Oh, there are no contracts so your not going to get locked into for any period of time

-J.F.