Tanden Martial Arts
So you’re thinking, ‘Traditional martial arts… no driving all over the State for competitions and tournaments… Small class sizes... Private lessons... Sounds great - but where do I begin?!’
You or your child can get started with your new favourite activity by following these three easy steps:
Step 1) Check out our Small Group Classes and Timetable below to see what best suits you or your child.
Step 2) Try us out through our Promos and Events, such as the Tanden 1:1 + 1 Intro Offer. Alternatively, you can contact us to enquire or directly enrol if you’re 100% sure and ready to go!
Please note that official intake is in February and July (the starts of Term 1 and Term 3)… but exceptions can be made. ☺️
An Integral Part of our Programs
What would martial art lessons be without classes? 😉
With Sensei Sheryn’s and Sensei Ross’ different specialities, we are able to adopt an array of skills and approaches to guide and inspire the next generation of martial artists.
Our children’s classes and Holiday Programs are fun and creative, taught in a safe and positive environment. Our adult classes are a little more serious, with greater in-depth discussions about technique and philosophy to complement solid karate and arnis training.
Sensei Sheryn’s teaching style is calm and nurturing - but firm when she needs to be. She specialises in weaving personal growth, Oriental philosophy and Oriental medicine knowledge (such as meridians and acupoints) into her classes. This supports the character-building that is quintessential to Budō, and ensures that students are well-rounded in their understanding of martial arts.
Sensei Ross’ style is also calm, with dashes of humour. A science man, he focuses on precise technique and biomechanics to help you maximise efficiency.
Tanden Martial Arts’ karate classes cover:
Practical self-defence strategies, both physical and mental
Kata (forms - predominantly Gōjū Ryū kata, and also historic kata because of the valuable principles they offer)
Bunkai (self-defence applications specifically from forms)
Kumite (sparring)
... as well as a host of other techniques and exercises that are part of the extensive syllabus of Gōjū Kensha Karate, to offer you or your child a genuine and thorough martial education.
Keen to try us out? Hit the buttons below each program to purchase the Tanden 1:1 + 1 Intro Offer OR to enrol directly with us!
There are limited places left across classes, including one place left in the Women’s Class and Adult Arnis class.
We are taking enrolments for Sticks for Kids.
Seeking EOI for a Teen Karate Class for 13 - 16yos, and Girl Instinct Karate for girls 10 - 13yo.
Book a Tanden 1:1 + 1 Intro Offer to try us out, or contact us to enquire today!
Please choose between 6 Month and 12 Month Programs carefully (detailed after individual Program descriptions, and in person after you undertake your Tanden Intro Offer). We regret that we cannot offer refunds; however, if there are any issues, we always do our best to support you.
For Children 7 - 10 Years Old | Maximum of 4 - 6 Students per Class
With Sensei Sheryn
Does your child:
Lack discipline to study or finish their tasks?
Become frustrated and give up easily?
Struggle to find courage and their ‘inner leader’?
Have meltdowns when they lose?
Suffer from regular bullying?
Discipline, focus, persistence, resilience, courage, leadership and good sportsmanship are just a few of the desirable traits that emerge from children who train consistently in the martial arts. As they grow more confident in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals, your child will experience the ripple effects in their school life and friendship circles.
Focus - and grades - improve.
They become more discerning with friends.
They build their character and learn to stand up for themselves.
They show greater respect towards their parents.*
Through Tanden’s Kid Instinct Karate, your child will develop the determination to achieve their goals, whether it’s that extra push-up or next belt. Having these goals - and needing to wait until they’re realised - builds resilience, and subverts their desire for immediate gratification.
At Tanden Martial Arts, we uniquely integrate our Traditional Gōjū Ryū Karate syllabus with relevant personal development topics and Oriental philosophy when students are ready. Personal development themes explored in Kid Instinct include courage, awareness, safety and gratitude. Such integration makes Tanden’s karate programs extremely comprehensive - especially at the beginner level.
You are inarguably your child’s first teacher in modelling humanity, values, inner strength and kindness. Having them partake in a program like Kid Instinct - in this invaluable path of martial arts - will reinforce these virtues, as we support you in building your child’s character so they grow into fine young adults and compassionate leaders. Grading by grading, year by year, you will be only too proud to bear witness to your child’s growth.
If Kid Instinct Karate sound perfect for your child, book a Tanden 1:1 + 1 Intro Offer today!
NB: If your child is very shy and unlikely to participate… we get it; we’re parents too! 😉 You are welcome to bring them along to a class or two to watch and they can join in with any exercises they feel comfortable with. Please contact us if you’d like this option.
*This isn’t guaranteed. 😝
For Kids 10+ Years Old (unless you’ve spoken to us!) | Maximum of 4 Students
With Sensei Ross, FQI
Does your child:
Have room for improvement in areas such as precision, reflexes and agility?
Find coordination challenging?
Need to work on their gross and fine motor skills?
Struggle with control - both physically and emotionally?
Believe that they will thrive from the mental and physical challenge of Balintawak Arnis Cuentada - and take pride in partaking in an extra-curricular activity that’s truly unique in Australia?
Sticks for Kids is a terrific introduction to the rewarding world of authentic weaponry martial arts. Your child will learn from one of Australia’s top Balintawak instructors and will progress through foundations including basic strikes, blocks, counterstrikes, shadow fighting and disarms.
As a Traditional Martial Art, important character-building virtues like discipline, focus and respect are reinforced in Sticks for Kids.
There is no instant gratification.
No ‘everyone gets a participation award’ ethos.
There aren’t even any belts or tags*: your child will practice with a foam cane until they are at a level where they can adequately and safely practice with a rattan cane.
However, your child will enjoy the very real satisfaction of becoming skilled in a weaponry art that is exhilarating as it is practical in self-defence scenarios.
Moreover, you can be confident that your child is growing as a person by learning a Traditional Martial Art, taught the old-school way with old-school values.
Balintawak Arnis Cuentada is a fun, dynamic and empowering martial art. By joining Sicks for Kids, your child will be welcomed into the Tanden Martial Art family as well as become a member of Surf Coast Balintawak. If your child is keen to try this incredible art, book a Tanden 1:1 + 1 Intro Offer today!
It is highly recommended that Sticks for Kids students train in Kid Instinct Karate with us, or another empty-handed martial art, for a greater understanding of biomechanics and how techniques are applied realistically.
* Progress is marked by Gradings to the next Level, and Certificates, as well as when your child graduates from using a foam cane.
For Girls 10 - 13 Years Old | Maximum of 5 Students
With Sensei Sheryn
Girl Instinct Karate, Sensei Sheryn’s flagship karate program, is coming back soon!
Does your daughter:
Struggle to speak up or stand up for herself?
Lack confidence and self-esteem?
Have loads of energy that needs to be honed with self-control?
Need to improve her focus and ability to see tasks through to completion?
Suffer from mild anxiety?
Lack resilience in the face of friendship problems… or even bullying?
Confidence, self-love, focus, speaking up, self-belief, resilience and the courage to go against the crowd, are just a few characteristics that emerge from young girls who train consistently in the martial arts.
Through Girl Instinct, your daughter will also become discerning with friends, be armed with crucial conflict resolution skills, and even learn to adequately manage moments of anxiety or stress.
Girl Instinct uniquely integrates our Gōjū Kensha Karate syllabus with mindfulness, meditation and short discussions about personal development themes that are pertinent to young girls. Such themes include body image, finding your voice and positive thinking. Oriental philosophy, such as Yin-Yang and Five Element theory, is also included to offer a holistic martial education and to help them understand the world through a different lens.
Girl Instinct Karate may well be the start of your daughter’s journey to becoming an empowered, self-assured, amazing young woman.
Does Girl Instinct Karate sound perfect for your daughter? Book a Tanden 1:1 + 1 Intro Offer today!
NB: If your daughter is very shy and unlikely to participate… we get it; we’re parents too! 😉 You are welcome to bring them along to a class or two to watch and they can join in with any exercises they feel comfortable with. Please contact us if you’d like this option.
For Women 18+ Years Old | Maximum of 3 Students
With Sensei Sheryn
Imagine embarking on an activity that’s just for you: that’s as good for your body as it is for your mental health.
For over an hour each week, you escape your work (and children).
When you arrive, you leave your troubles at the dōjō door.
You close your eyes and come to stillness during the initial meditation.
You slowly harness your breath.
When you open your eyes, you’re present. You know that this is your time.
And so class begins… and it fuels your soul and challenges your body.
You will progress week by week at Tanden’s Women’s Karate program as we explore the comprehensive syllabus of authentic Traditional Gōjū Ryū Karate.
You will become fitter, stronger and more coordinated, in a way that’s safe and sustainable.
You will learn proper breathing to help you better manage stress and anxiety.
You will be armed with practical self-defence techniques and strategies so you will feel more confident protecting yourself and your family.
And of course, we train Budō style, so it’s not about tournaments or trophies.
It’s about you.
For Adults 18+ Years Old | Maximum of 3 Students
With Sensei Ross, FQI
Whether you’re already accomplished in an empty-handed martial art style or new to martial arts altogether, Balintawak Arnis Cuentada may be the mental and physical challenge you’ve been waiting for!
Tanden’s Balintawak Arnis Cuentada program is a pursuit just for you; your time away from work and family obligations.
Week by week, you will progress through Balintawak’s extensive syllabus as developed by legendary Grandmaster Bobby Taboada (Phillipines, U.S.) You will begin by learning basic strikes and blocks, which form the foundations for more complex (and fun!) partnered techniques. These include grouping systems, disarms, butting and freestyle play.
You will be taught by one of Australia’s few Senior Instructors in Balintawak, Ross McDonald, Fully Qualified Instructor, in our highly personalised Small Group Class. By becoming a member of Surf Coast Balintawak, you will not only be welcomed into the Tanden Martial Art family, but into GM Bobby Taboada’s thriving International Balintawak community.
Want to see how much fun and empowering it feels to wield a cane? Try out this practical and dynamic martial art with a Tanden 1:1 + 1 Intro Offer today!
Tanden’s programs run for six or twelve months. Every class has a Starter Program which includes everything you need* to launch into your new favourite activity!
The Kid Instinct Karate Six Month Starter Program, for example, includes:
Weekly Kid Instinct Karate Small Group Classes for six months.
2 x 30min 1:1 Session.
A quality karate uniform (dogi) and belt (obi) from TANS, with the ‘Tanden’ emblem beautifully embroidered on (no need to sew on patches).
6 month Membership fee and Insurance Cover. The membership fee goes to Hanshi James Sumarac and means that you’re affiliated with Kakurin-Kan Karate-Do International. (See ‘Benefits of Membership’ below).
Tanden Martial Arts or Girl Instinct Tee.
Winds of Tradition: Vol 1 manual by Hanshi James Sumarac.
Tanden Online Course access suitable for your level, to support your home practice.
To make things even more convenient for you and your family:
10% Family Discount is available for members of the same immediate family.
20% Multi Program Discount is available if you do both karate and arnis.
Classes run according to Victorian school term (so you can take the kids camping or that special trip to Bali without missing classes).
Easy payment plans are available.
*Starter Programs are all-inclusive except for grading fees.
A Class Upgrade Option is also available for students wishing to train twice a week. Please speak to us about this option when discussing your chosen program.
Your Journey Starts Here.
Membership with Tanden Martial Arts’ karate programs means that you are affiliated with Gōjū Ryū Kakurin-Kan Karate-Do International (GRKKKI) as well as the headquarters dōjō in Japan. By being a member, you are eligible to participate in GRKKKI Karate Camps and workshops, train at affiliated schools, as well as receive member prices for Tanden Martial Arts Workshops, Holiday Programs, Masterclasses and other events.
Significantly, you will have the opportunity to learn from guest Japanese masters at GRKKKI Karate Camps. Later, when you become a senior rank, you will have the opportunity to train in Japan if you desire.
These opportunities are not always available at Australian martial arts schools; we are afforded these privileges because Hanshi James Sumarac and his senior students have maintained tradition and honoured lineage.
Membership fees are included in all Tanden Martial Arts Programs, as is Insurance Cover, for your peace of mind.
Receive the latest news about upcoming Programs, Workshops and Special Offers!