Try very hard to get to class at least ten {10} minutes before it starts.
If you are late, warm up outside the dojo. When you are ready, wait
in 'seiza' at the edge of the training area, facing the portrait of
Master Funakoshi. When the instructor signals you to join the class, bow,
stand up and get into line quickly.
Do not, at any time, touch the walls or mirrors.
Your 'gi' should be clean and in good repair- hair should be tidy
and nails short and unpainted; jewelry, perfume (including scented cologne
and after-shave lotion) should not be worn. Women may wear a plain white
undershirt; men should not wear an undershirt.
Black belt students are addressed as 'Sempai' in the dojo and are
treated with appropriate deference at other times. Instructors are
addressed as 'Sensei' at all times. It is impossible to learn the correct
attitude and spirit of 'budo' if you are too casual or familiar.
Questions should be put to an immediate senior, when possible. A
white belt will ask a yellow belt; if he doesn't know the answer, he will
ask a green belt (or whomever is the next most senior rank present). All
ranks should find ways to help and encourage less experienced students.
Mutual respect and interdependence are valuable aspects of training; a
complementary aspect, however, is self-reliance: only ask a question after
first trying to answer it yourself. (Use eyes and ears in preference to
your mouth!)
When you enter or leave the training area, bow toward the portrait of
Master Funakoshi. It is an aid to our own training to remember his
example: train as if he were there, watching you. (Learn about his life;
read his
autobiography; he made great sacrifices to establish 'karate-do'
on the Japanese mainland and, if we value this training, we should be
grateful!) The bow also reminds us that we are entering a special place:
other concerns should be left outside. Once in the dojo, keep your mind
on karate. Social conversation can be kept for later.
Train hard!
David Johnston
Disclaimer: Karate, like any martial art or other physical fitness regimen carries an inherent risk of injury.
Consult your physician before beginning training. Visitors to this site assume full responsibility for
their actions and agree by accessing this site to hold blameless the authors and instructors for any results of using
the information contained or referenced herein.
