West Lafayette Shotokan Karate Club

Traditional Shotokan karate · West Lafayette, IN · John R. Dennis Wellness Center, West Lafayette, Indiana

A traditional Shotokan karate dojo for ages 10 and up. Kihon, kata and kumite taught the way they were handed down, adapted to the student in front of us. Beginners are welcome at the start of any session.

Start here: your first class Members: check in

Join the next session

8-week sessions through the Wellness Center

Sessions Current session: Aug 25, 2026 – Oct 16, 2026 week 6 of 8

Next session dates will be posted here once the Wellness Center announces them. You can join at the start of any session.

CostStudents pay the Wellness Center per 8-week session: $140 for Wellness Center members and $165 at the community rate. The club charges no additional fees.

WhoAges 10 and up. Complete beginners welcome; no experience or equipment needed for your first class. Classes are capped at 20 students.

SinceThe club has been part of West Lafayette Parks and Recreation since 2011, formerly at the Morton Center and now at the John R. Dennis Wellness Center.

No. Wellness Center policy does not allow trial classes, so the first step is to register for a session.

9›8›7›6›5›4›3›2›1›Shodan›Nidan›Sandan›Yondan›Godan›Rokudan›Shichidan

White to black: every belt in order. Tap a belt for what it takes.

What every student gets

included, no extra cost

A numbered certificate for every belt you earn, signed by the chief instructor.
An official Record of Rank you can take to any Shotokan dojo if you move.
The full grading syllabus online, in Japanese and English, so you always know what your next test asks.
Your progress on your phone: belt, time in grade, attendance and grading history, plus a personal message from Sensei on what to work on.
A class calendar you can subscribe to, with cancellations and grading day.
Belts provided free by the Wellness Center, and no grading fees ever.

Who our karate is for

adaptable · traditional · structured

Our style of karate is well suited to more mature students. Training can be adapted so that people with artificial hips or knees, other physical impairments, or old injuries can still train. Sensei Rogers has had both knees and both hips replaced and is still training and teaching.

Karate is also good for kids with ADHD. The traditional, structured style helps them understand their bodies better and learn to channel and control their energy. The club has had numerous students with ADHD progress through the belts and become better able to control their attention and focus outside the dojo, for example in school.

Dr. Rogers is a forensic research psychologist and structures his classes around proven behavioral techniques.

Practical self-defense is taught within the traditional syllabus, drawing on Sensei Rogers' background in law enforcement defensive tactics and executive protection.

Your instructor

Chief Instructor · Sandan

Dr. Marcus Rogers

Sandan50 years in the martial artsFormer law enforcementForensic research psychologistTeaching in West Lafayette since 2011

Sensei Rogers has trained in the martial arts for 50 years, 40 of them in Shotokan karate. He began his karate training in Canada and was a member of the Manitoba Provincial Karate Team. He competed in kata and kumite at the state, provincial and national levels, winning several medals. He has also studied Judo, Kung Fu, Gung Fu and Northern Shaolin Boxing, has practiced Tai Chi, and currently practices Qigong. Dr. Rogers is a forensic research psychologist and structures his classes around proven behavioral techniques.

Read the full biography and about the club ›