Karate at Valor & Virtue Martial Arts Academy is a structured path of personal growth built on tradition, discipline, and purposeful training. Students learn effective striking, movement, and defensive skills while developing the habits that define strong martial artists: focus, perseverance, respect, and mental toughness. Our program emphasizes steady progression through clearly defined standards, helping each student build confidence, physical capability, and character over time. More than a workout, Karate training challenges individuals to improve themselves with every class — both in the dojo and in their daily lives.
The Philosophy behind the practice
Karate is far more than just a style of fighting. It is a way to understand oneself and the world. The word Karate can be understood in English as "empty hand." Empty hand has two meanings within the discipline. 1) Referring to a practitioner's ability to fight empty handed or without weapons. 2) Empty hand is interpreted as containing Japanese Zen principles. In this regard, the empty hand refers to a person holding onto nothing except the perfection of one's self and art of the style. By being like a quiet valley where every sound can be heard a person can remove the selfishness and wickedness within themselves and become an exemplary and spiritually fulfilled individual. In this sense karate is not a martial arts so much as it is a training path to spiritual knowledge. In fact, the founder of one Shotokan karate, Gichin Funakoshi, thought that practitioners would have to use their training at most once in their lives. Except for an instance where you must defend yourself or someone you love to avoid personal harm, all other situations should be resolved nonviolently.
Why study Karate?
At Valor & Virtue Martial Arts Academy LLC, we endeavor to not only impart the techniques of Karate but also its philosophy. True strength is not the ability to cause harm, but the ability to remain calm and resolute in the face of adversity. When the people of Tucson decide to learn karate with Valor & Virtue Martial Arts Academy LLC they will learn:
- Discipline
- Respect
- Self-control
- Balance
- Concentration
- Culture
If you live in the greater Tucson area and are interested in taking a class with us then please feel free to contact us through phone or email. We look forward to training with you.
KIDS KARATE CLASSES (ages 11-14) are held Mondays & Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm, Saturdays 9:30-10:30am ADULT KARATE CLASSES (ages 15 yrs+) are held Mondays & Wednesdays 6:45-8:00pm, Saturdays 9:30-10:30am