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Foundations Program — Ages 4–12

Real Karate for Kids in Urbandale, Iowa

Traditional Shito-Ryu instruction for ages 4–12. Small classes. High standards. Results parents actually notice.

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The Problem With Most Programs

Lost in a crowd of 30

Most martial arts programs for kids in the Des Moines area run 20 to 30 children in a single class. Your child gets lost in the crowd, corrections are rare, and progress is slow.

At Nakata Dojo, foundations classes are capped at 6 students.

That is not a selling point — it is a philosophy. Every child deserves real attention, real correction, and real progress.

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6
Students per class maximum
4th
Generation Shito-Ryu lineage
What Parents Notice First

The changes happen at home

Parents who enroll their kids at Nakata Dojo often say the same thing: the changes they see at home surprise them more than anything that happens on the mat.

The child who used to melt down starts catching themselves. The kid who slouched starts standing differently. The one who never listened starts paying attention — not because they were told to, but because karate requires it.

You cannot execute a technique if your mind is somewhere else. The art itself does the teaching.

Student training at Nakata Dojo
More Than Karate

Japanese Language and Culture

Students at Nakata Dojo are introduced to the Japanese language and customs that are woven into traditional karate practice.

Commands are given in Japanese. Bowing protocols, dojo etiquette, and the meaning behind each ritual are taught and explained — not just performed.

This gives children a genuine window into Japanese culture that most kids their age will never experience. It builds respect for traditions outside their own, expands their worldview, and gives them a sense of connection to something much larger than a local gym class.

Parents often find this is one of the aspects their children talk about most at home.

Japanese culture and bowing at Nakata Dojo
Who This Is For

The right fit for your child

The foundations program is designed for children ages 4 to 12 in the Urbandale and Des Moines metro area.

  • ✓Kids who struggle with focus or attention
  • ✓Children who need an outlet for high energy
  • ✓Kids who are shy or lack confidence
  • ✓Children who have never played a sport before
  • ✓Kids who are being bullied — or you want to get ahead of it
  • ✓Children who need structure and discipline outside of school

No experience necessary. No tryouts. Every child starts from the beginning and earns every step forward.

Kids karate class at Nakata Dojo
The Instruction

Sensei Kenji leads every class

Sensei Kenji holds a 2nd Dan from the World Shito-Ryu Karate Do Federation and represents the 4th generation of a direct, unbroken lineage from Kenwa Mabuni — the founder of Shito-Ryu.

He personally leads every class. Your child will never be handed off to an assistant while the real instructor watches from across the room. That is not how Nakata Dojo operates.

His instruction goes beyond technique. Students learn how to carry themselves — grooming, posture, how to speak to adults, how to respond to correction. These are things most kids never learn in school, and parents notice them everywhere.

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Sensei Kenji — Nakata Dojo instructor
How It Works

Start with a foundations program

Nakata Dojo starts every new student with a foundations program — a structured introduction to traditional Shito-Ryu karate designed specifically for children ages 4 to 12.

No contracts. No pressure. Just a real look at what training here is about before committing to anything.

1

Hit Start Here

Submit your information to get schedule and availability information sent to your inbox.

2

Review your options

See class times, pricing, and what the foundations program looks like for your child's age group.

3

Come in

See the dojo, meet Sensei Kenji, and decide if it's the right fit. No obligation.

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Common Questions

FAQ

Ages 4 to 12. Around 5 or 6 is typically the sweet spot but every child is different.
That can actually be an advantage. There are no habits to unlearn. Everything starts from the ground up.
Sensei Kenji has worked with many kids like this. Karate does not just ask children to focus — it requires it. Most parents report noticeable differences within a few weeks.
Never. Nakata Dojo does not operate that way.
One of the four major traditional karate styles recognized worldwide and one of the four styles featured in Olympic competition. It has a direct lineage going back to the original masters of Okinawan karate.

Ready to see what real instruction looks like?

Urbandale families choose Nakata Dojo because the instruction is real, the environment is structured, and the results show up in everyday life. If you are looking for kids martial arts classes in the Des Moines area that actually make a difference, this is the place.

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