University of Nebraska Lincoln Shotokan Karate

UNL Shotokan is an official dojo of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), a nonprofit organization teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1956, and was awarded the 2012 SKA Midwest Dojo of the Year. Our classes are led by yodan (4th-degree black belt) David Altman and are held at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln on City Campus.

Altman Sensei Given Plaque
We presented Altman Sensei with a plaque for his dedication
and sacrifices in guiding us all to follow the way.

Practice Times

Tuesdays & Thursdays — 5:45 P.M. – 7:15 P.M.
 Pershing Military & Naval Science Building – 2nd-Floor Gym
Northwest Corner of 14th & Vine Streets
University of Nebraska – Lincoln on City Campus View Map
Register for Classes

What is karate?

"True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice." --Gichin Funakoshi

Karate can also be described as a martial art, or fighting method, involving a variety of techniques including blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint manipulations. Our karate practice is divided into three main aspects: kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).

The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters: kara, meaning "empty", and te, meaning "hand". Thus karate means "empty hand". Adding the suffix -do (pronounced like doe), meaning "way", to reach karate-do implies karate as a total way of life that goes well beyond the self-defense applications. In traditional karate-do, we always keep in mind that the true opponent is oneself.

As Tsutomu Ohshima (Shihan, or Chief Instructor, of Shotokan Karate of America) has put it, "We must be strong enough to express our true minds to any opponent, anytime, in any circumstance. We must be calm enough to express ourselves humbly."