Yojindo Ryu Martial Arts Club
About this club
Yojindo Ryu is a friendly Normanton club with a strong family following, meeting on a Thursday evening at The Brig on St Marys Road. Wado Ryu Karate is taught in a single class open to everyone from six years old upwards, so parents and children train in the same session rather than on separate nights — which is exactly how the club’s own instructor started.
It is run by Sensei Mark Valente, who took up karate alongside his wife and son in 2013 and has gone on to earn his 3rd Dan in Wado Ryu. He did not stop at karate either: he holds Black Belts in Ju Jitsu and in the Okinawan weapons, in both Kobu Jutsu and Bo Jutsu. It means the grappling and close-quarters work, and the weapons side of the syllabus, are taught here by someone who has graded in them himself rather than picked them up along the way.
Class timetable
| Day | Time | Class | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 6:30pm – 8:00pm | Wado Ryu Karate — all grades |
Term-time and holiday variations are announced in class and on the club’s Facebook page.
What to bring to your first session
Nothing you do not already own. A T-shirt and jogging bottoms, bare feet, and a bottle of water. Once you decide to continue you will need a gi (suit) and a NAKMAS licence — the instructor will sort both, and there is no rush.
Getting here & parking
Yes
Postcode for satnav: WF6 2JH.
Common questions
Do I need a karate suit to start?+
No. Come in a T-shirt and jogging bottoms for your first few sessions. You train barefoot, so no trainers are needed either. Once you decide to carry on, your instructor will sort out a gi and a licence — there is no rush and no pressure.
How much does it cost?+
You pay per session, on the night. There is no joining fee, no contract and no monthly direct debit. Your first session is free so you can see whether it suits you before spending anything.
What age can my child start?+
Our Pee Wee classes take children from four years old, in separate shorter sessions pitched at that age group. Main classes generally start from around ten, though this varies by club — ask the instructor.
Can I stay and watch my child?+
Ask the instructor at your club. Some halls have room for parents to sit in and some do not, so it varies from venue to venue.
How often are gradings?+
Kyu gradings run roughly every three to four months across the association. Your instructor will tell you when you are ready — nobody is pushed to grade before they are.
Are the instructors checked?+
Every WYSOK instructor holds an enhanced DBS certificate, current first aid training and full insurance through our NAKMAS affiliation.