The Karate Institute has been providing martial arts instruction for northern Illinois for ages 5 through seniors since 1973. The major segments of mainstream martial arts are taught. These include self defense, grappling, sparring, forms, weapons self defense and forms, and tournament karate. Various aspects of martial arts are drawn from Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Okinawan, Filipino and Malaysian systems.  The prinicple style taught is a type of mixed martial art called Kajukenbo. Visit the history page for a brief description. Students receive a well-rounded introduction to many aspects of the martial arts but the primary emphasis is on self-defense. Students also enroll to develop personal fitness, weight control, self-confidence, and sport. Karate Institute students have gone on to specialize in one or more areas of Kajukenbo, as well as to become experts in related areas of the fitness industry. The Karate Institute is licensed for retail sales of martial arts supplies. Martial arts weapons are not sold to non-members.