CCACC Shotokan Karate Club

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The CCACC Shotokan Karate Club is dedicated to practice of Shotokan (松濤館流) karate, a traditional martial art practiced around the world. The club is an affiliate of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), one of the oldest Shotokan organizations in the world, and Shotokan Karate-Do International (one of the JKA’s main branches in the US).

This club is suitable for all ages and fitness levels - from beginners to experienced martial arts enthusiasts. The only prerequisites are a desire to learn and willingness to put in the work. 

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Class schedule - Spring 2024 (Jan. 8 - May 21, 2024)

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• Monday, 5:30-6:45 pm at CCACC (9366 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD)

• Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 pm at CCACC Academy (9400 Key West Avenue, Rockville MD)

 

There are no classes on federal holidays or Montgomery County Public School holidays.

The fee for the spring 2024 semester is $250 per student. Additional family members can pay a discounted fee of $230 each.

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To register, contact: CCACC.karate@gmail.com

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About karate

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Karate is a martial art that focuses on strength, speed, focus, and control. It is also a way of life, emphasizing the development of the body, mind, and spirit—the whole person. As Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate, wrote: "the ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant."

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Karate provides significant benefits for students young and old. It enhances the student’s mental development by cultivating concentration and focus, clear thinking, and decisiveness. Karate instills patience, discipline, and perseverance, while helping students develop confidence, self-control, and inner calm—benefiting every aspect of their lives. Of course, karate is good for the body, building strong muscles and bones, enhancing resilience, and improving posture and body control.

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About our classes

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The students’ spiritual and moral education comes first. Students learn the basic principles and norms of karate, including respect for others, discipline, and commitment to self-improvement. Every student knows the dojo kun (rules of karate training) by heart:

 

Seek perfection of character

Be faithful (or, be sincere, protect the way of truth and integrity)

Endeavor (or, put maximum effort into everything you do)

Respect others

Refrain from violent behavior

 

The foundation of karate is the kihon (basic techniques), the kata (forms), and the kumite (sparring). We focus on all three equally, as one cannot exist without the others.  

Kihon teaches the fundamentals of karate - the proper posture, balance and angle of each

 

specific movement. Continuous repetition is essential, so that students build muscle memory and can perform strong, smooth, fast techniques without thinking.

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Kata, pre-arranged sequences of techniques, are the heart of karate training. Kata teaches students to perform powerful attack combinations and agile, coordinated blocks. There are kata for every level, and it takes constant practice to perform a kata with speed, power, and grace. 

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Kumite focuses on the fighting spirit: moving with confidence, fully committing to the attack (or defense), reading the opponent, all while maintaining control and inner calm. Kumite is the jazz music of karate: improvisational, fluid, energetic - and much more difficult to perform than it looks.  

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About our instructors

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Sensei Bert Tzeng (曾志平) is a 4th-degree black belt and certified JKA instructor. Mr. Tzeng, who has practiced karate for over 30 years, is a student of Sensei Shu Takahashi, a 7th-degree black belt and the head instructor of Shotokan Karate-Do International. A tax lawyer by training, Mr. Tzeng works at the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy. He is a graduate of Yale University (BA), Columbia Law School (JD), and New York University Law School (LL.M. in tax law). During his free time, Mr. Tzeng enjoys drawing graphic novels and volunteering in the Asian-American community. 

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Sensei Gena Lai (賴怡伶) is a 4th-degree black belt, certified JKA instructor, and student of Sensei Takahashi. Ms. Lai is Senior Director of Complex Gift Management at Yale University. She is an expert in financial regulation, having worked in senior roles at the US Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). Ms. Lai received her undergraduate degree from Yale and law degree from Fordham Law School. In her free time, Ms. Lai enjoys practicing Tai Chi and playing the piano.