Kai Leung’s Shotojuku Karate Dojo

I have been a student of Shihan kai Leung and a friend to too many at the dojo. And this I could truly say Shihan’s Dojo is not just a place you could go to and work out, it’s more than that. It’s a respectable house that Sensei built with his hard work and dedication to what he loves the most, and that’s teaching the martial arts to his students. The family atmosphere that degenerates within the Dojo is a true feeling of respect and honor just to be there in the presence of many true champions from the young to the old. So if you’re ever in Astoria Queens stop on in in join us you won’t regret it… Osu!

My entire family takes classes at this Dojo. Not sure if this makes sense to everyone, but a martial arts school needs to have a specific feel to give me confidence in what I’m able to learn. From the moment we walked in, we felt like we had arrived at the right place. Caring, intense and dedicated. I wish I could train every day, all day.

I have been a martial artist since I was 5 years old (30+ yrs), so I have studied in many schools, with many different instructors, in a few different states. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite schools. It is a great community — everyone treats you like family. It is refreshing to find a place like this in such a big city. It really feels like one big family. This is a direct reflection of the senior instructor — Sensei Kai. A beautiful soul with much love and knowledge to share. And a deep, DEEP understanding of the art and it’s many traditions.
It is a great school for any age, and any ability level. ALL the teachers are great and understand how to work with everyone.
For those of you with a competitive streak — I don’t know what they put in the water over there at this school, but the number of national champions they pump out is ridiculous! In all seriousness, Sensei Kai has such a deep understanding for the art, he is truly a great teacher and knows how to pass this knowledge on. There is so much talent in the building, at any given class, you can’t help but sit in awe watching some of these kids. And what generous, humble people. It really is a beautiful school. I am lucky to have found it.
My only complaint is I can’t make it to classes enough.

If you want to be a CHAMPION, this is the place to train. This dojo breeds excellence!
There are a number of reasons why this is the place to go, however, to keep your research short and simple, when you go to other martial arts schools to inquire about services, ask about tournaments, competitions, & seminars (basically, opportunities where you can test what you’ve learned against others at your level). If they have nothing to offer you, that’s probably a huge RED FLAG. This means, that establishment is not confident enough in their service to allow you to compare yourself to others.
At Kai Leung’s Shotojuku Karate Dojo, tournaments/​competitions/​seminars are offered almost every two weeks, in addition to the opportunity to participate in National and International competitions. Not only can you test your skills at tournaments of traditional karate, but they also encourage competing in tournaments of other martial arts styles.
If you want to be the best, you must train with the best. See you on the mat! OSU!

Kai Leung’s Shotojuku Dojo is our favorite place to be in Astoria, New York! We travel from California just to train with Sensei Kai Leung and the rest of our Shotojuku family twice a year. The experience to train here is amazing and the energy at Shotojuku Dojo is absolutely positive! We are extremely appreciative to be able to train with Sensei Kai Leung and we always look forward to returning to our Shotojuku family!

My Martial Arts Family is what I’d like to talk to you about here. My story is a bit different than some of the others you have read. I started taking Karate when I was 15 years old in 1990, I was not very comfortable in my skin and had a hard time in school. Sensei Kai Leung changed that. He made me feel like a winner, worked with me in almost all of my classes, and if I stayed late or came early he would come out to the mat and work with me.
The friends I have made there are life long friends, people that I still keep in touch with today. I have moved to Long Island and train in BJJ and Muay Thai, but still use what I have learned in my time with Kai Leung’s Shotojuku Dojo today in my martial arts life and in life in genral. Kai Leung isn’t just a teacher, he is a friend, a father figure to all of us, and not just while we are students, but for the rest of our lives.
If you are looking for a place to have a great time learning Karate, make life long friends and be a part of our family then I highly recommend Kai Leung’s Shotojuku Dojo. It is the best move you can ever make.
I have been to the Junior Olympics, Reginal and National Tournaments as well as local tournaments and I have placed in all of them.

I have been at Shotojuku with my children for over 10 years now, and honestly I can’t imagine my life without this place. The people here are very friendly, it’s like we’re one big family. All the members help each other get better. Our Sensei is very patient and works with everyone at their own level. Nowadays, are lives are so busy. It is hard to find the time throughout the day to spend with family. Karate lessons are a great way to «reserve» a special time for you and your child to spend together. Not only you’ll have a stronger bond with your child, you will also get a great workout. I would definitely recommend this place, for its my home away from home.

If you are new to martial arts or if you are looking to further advance your skill & knowledge in martial arts, this school is the perfect school to join.
When I was very young my parents signed me up to the nearest martial arts school to my house. However, as I got older, my thirst for knowledge also grew. I’ve participated in various different dojos and though they had their respectable sensei/​instructor, I can’t recall any other place in which the chief instructor personally interacts with the students as well as teach class.
What truly drew me into becoming a student at Shotojuku are the students themselves. You will never feel like an outcast! You will meet people below your level, at the same level as you, and especially those beyond your level. One thing that never changes is the mutual level of respect everyone has for each other.
Allow me to also add in that they truly offer ’ UNLIMITED CLASSES ’ meaning you can train as many days a week and not have to worry about being told only take 1 or 2 classes the following week!

The Shotojuku Dojo is more than just a place to learn and practice traditional Shotokan Karate, it truly is a family. What they teach in this dojo goes far beyond that of kicking and punching but a life style.
This is a traditional Shotokan karate-​do school with direct lineage back to the founder, Gichin Funakoshi. (Then Master Gigo Funakoshi to Master Tomosaburo Okano to Master Toyotaro Miyazaki to Shihan Kai Leung)
«Seek Perfection of Character», one of the Shotokan Dojo Principle, is a philosophy the school lives by and instills onto its students. It teaches discipline, self-​control, self-​confidence, and builds character in addition to self-​defense.
The school focus on important fundamentals and the art in martial arts. In addition to the traditional aspects of Shotokan Karate, the school regularly competes in tournaments. Shihan Leung has generated many national champions and even a few world champions. (Like Steve Tank, Gene Dunn, Doug Pelinkovic, and many many more)
Many of Shihan Leung’s students have come to be instructors at their own dojo’s and have schools around the states and across the world.
Many of Shihan Leung students also train in Brazilian Jujitsu, Muay Thai, and other arts but all of his students still practice the karate they learn at this school. The fundamentals taught by Shihan Leung are priceless.
The dojo is well equipped and the mat space is large (one of the largest open mats around). The Head instructor, Shihan Leung, teaches many of the classes regularly and his well qualified assistant instructors are all trained directly under Shihan Leung. There are classes 6 days a week for all ages and levels.
If you are interested in learning MARTIAL ARTS, come and meet the head instructor. I promise, you will not be disappointed. The school is always open to anyone who is willing to learn.
The Shihan Leung and the Shotojuku dojo has been in Astoria on Steinway street for 30 years!!! That’s has got to mean something. Astoria has changed so much in the last 30 years, but one thing always remained the same; The heritage and Family called Shotojuku Dojo created by Shihan Kai Leung.
See you on the Mat.
OSU!

Simply put this is THE place to train for martial arts in NYC, ESPECIALLY if you are looking for a karate school.
The facilities are clean and well organized. The instructors maintain a high level excellence and professionalism when teaching and Sensei Leung (the owner of the school) has been teaching for about 45+ years and has extensive knowledge on martial arts in general.
Sensei Leung has produced numerous National Champions in karate from nearly every generation of the dojo but also he has helped many people build up confidence, mental focus and discpline and taught them techniques to protect themselves from harms way.
The dojo definitely feels like a family. Everyone is very friendly and all the instructors are easy to talk to and very helpful. This is a TRADITIONAL school so theres a alot of importance put on respect, culture, mentality and character as much as the physical aspect of martial arts. These days with the birth of MMA, a lot of those things have kind of been thrown out the window in order to just learn how to brawl. That is not the case at this school. Everyone is respected equally despite age, gender or rank & there is definitely no elitist mentality.
Prices are great and I am sure you won’t find a martial arts school with the prices at the dojo. You can also take unlimited classes and theres no extra charge either.
Easily accessible by train or car. So stop by for a trial class and you won’t be dissapointed.
I’ve been training at this karate school for 20 years and although I have trained in other styles of martial arts, this dojo is more than just a martial arts school which is why I have always kept coming back.

Simply put, this is the BEST place to learn, train & experience karate.

I started taking my Karate here @ Shotojuku since I was 21 yrs. old then I had to stop for a while because I moved and I got busy with school and work. I was blue belt back then I came back recently cuz’ I miss doing Karate. It’s a good work out and mind discipline. Before I came back to this dojo, I was looking for another Shotokan style karate closer to where I live now which is in the city but I end up going back to this Dojo because it feels like your part of the family. All of the Senseis are nice but they are strict when you’re on the floor. Everyone here are very helpful and it doesn’t matter if your lower or higher belt. Everyone is very respectful and kind. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.

I have been training here for about two and a half years now. But my story goes back farther than that. When I was a kid, I wanted to take karate lessons like a friend of mine was doing. But between my busy schedule of Cub Scout meetings, and the relatively high cost for my mom, I was never able to do it.
Flash forward to my mid-​twenties. I decided to finally indulge my childhood fantasy. A friend recommended a style of karate called shotokan. I am not very coordinated, and I never had delusions of being the next mixed martial arts champion, but I figured it would be a fun way to get in shape and learn some basic self defense skills.
I found even more than that at Kai Leung’s Karate Dojo (also known as Shotojuku). I found a great hobby, and a way to release the stress from my day to day life.
When you sign up, you are entitled to go to unlimited classes at your skill level. When I first started, I was taking as many as four to six classes a week. Each of the instructors has a different method of teaching and distinct personality, which makes each class challenging and fun in a different way. Eddie and Carlos concentrate on cardio (which my fat rear end really needs). Sensei Clemmons has the patience of a saint and offers focus on technique. And Sensei Kai, the proprietor of the dojo, always pushes me to give more even when I don’t think I can. Sometimes I hear him in my dreams saying «William! Your feet must be parallel!» I always strive to do my best in his classes because I want to earn his respect.
Sensei Kai and his instructors are also very good with kids. There is a «tiny tigers» program which focuses exclusively on the preschool set, and ample classes for older children through adults. I’m not sure of this, but I believe that Sensei Kai offers a discounted rate for families who enroll together.
They offer a trial lesson for a nominal fee where you can learn some basic karate techniques and hear about the philosophy of the school. That is how I first came to the dojo, and I signed up that same day.
I’m still not a ringer for Bruce Lee, but there has been a tangible improvement in my coordination and fitness. And there is a crowd of regulars who I am always glad to see, and recognize them when I bump into them around the neighborhood. I am glad to have Shotojuku in my life, and I encourage you to check it out.