North Grafton Dojo is Accepted into the Japanese Karate Association

The Japanese Karate Association, more commonly known to its members as the JKA, is the largest and most prestigious karate organization in the world. Its philosophy trains students to grow as a whole person in mind, body and spirit, and to develop formidable self-defense skills. Traditional Shotokan Karate trains practitioners to live peacefully, and to develop a balance of mind and body.

This week Perro Shotokan Karate, in North Grafton, has officially affiliated with the JKA, and is now the second non-university JKA affiliated Shotokan Karate Dojo in Massachusetts. The first dojo, JKA Boston, is located in Brookline.

Perro Shotokan Karate is unique in western Massachusetts because of its focus on individual growth and development, and its non-emphasis on outward rewards like belt colors, tournament fighting and trophies. Form, technique and non-violence are stressed, and each student practices at his or her own pace. Because of the internal motivation required, this discipline is mostly an adult pursuit, however children as young as six-years-old can develop excellent physical balance and coordination to increase their abilities in other sports, from gymnastics to football. For adults there are additional benefits in training, and they include: increased strength, balance, mental focus and weight control.

Chief Instructor at Perro Shotokan Karate, Chip Perro, has trained in traditional Shotokan Karate for over twenty five-years. He holds a black belt ranking with the JKA in Tokyo, Japan. His training began at the age of six through SKIF in St. Paul, MN under the instruction of Sensei Glenna Burelson and Master Hirokazu Kanazawa, and he continues his training in Boston under the instruction of Sensei Eiji Toryu.

Perro Shotokan Karate is located at 135 Westboro Road in North Grafton. Phone number: 508-733-8021. Website address: www.perrokarate.com