St Albans & Potters Bar Karate (Tiska)

St Albans & Potters Bar Karate (Tiska) is a renowned martial arts school located in St Albans and Potters Bar, offering classes for students of all ages and skill levels. The club is led by Chief Instructor Gursharan Sahota, an 8th Dan black belt who has dedicated his life to the practise and teaching of Shotokan Karate.

Gursharan Sahota was born in Kenya, East Africa and moved to the UK at the age of 12. He began his Karate journey at the age of 14 and quickly progressed, earning his black belt 1st dan (shodan) four years later. After training in Japan under the instruction of Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa, Gursharan was inspired to open his own club and formed TISKA (The Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association) in 1993.

Gursharan's love for Karate is evident in his dedication to teaching. He currently teaches over 35 classes a week in the UK and conducts master classes internationally. Throughout his career, he has guided numerous students to reach black belt level and beyond. Additionally, Gursharan is actively involved in charity work, funding projects in India and helping to subsidise trips for surgeons to operate on underprivileged children.

At St Albans & Potters Bar Karate (Tiska), students have the opportunity to develop balance, coordination, self-confidence, and discipline, while also improving fitness and flexibility. The classes incorporate three aspects of Shotokan Karate: Kihon (basic technique), Kata (forms/patterns), and Kumite (sparring). Participants are encouraged to progress at their own pace, starting with non-contact training and gradually advancing to controlled sparring.

In addition to the core training, Shotokan students at brown and black belt level may also have the opportunity to train with traditional Okinawan weapons such as the bo (a six-foot wooden staff) and the sai (a pronged truncheon).

Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist, St Albans & Potters Bar Karate (Tiska) welcomes individuals and families who wish to develop their martial arts skills in a supportive and inclusive environment. Join us today and experience the many benefits of Karate practise, including increased confidence, self-defence skills, and a sense of accomplishment.