THE DOJO
When you first goto enter the DOJO as a sign of respect take your shoes off & any jewelery then bow towards the Instructor. This shows a sign of respect to everybody & a willingness to train hard or to the best of your ability.
There are normally 2 classes the first being 1 hour & the second being 1 & 1/2 hours in length & consists of :
As soon as you have paid your fee's & had your name put onto the roll the instructor will start the class.

If it's your first time in a KARATE class normally the
SENSEI (teacher or instructor) OR SEMPAI (assistant teacher or instructor), would have told you where to stand, if not you normally stand in the front line close to the end. If unsure ask the person next to you.
The SENSEI will then node his head to a senior grade in the far back row then the class will begin.

The senior person in the class will then start the class by saying

Heels together

Seiza
(which means formal sitting.)

Mokuso
(close your eyes.)

Mokuso Yama
(open your eyes.)

Kancho Sullivan
(the founder of G - K - R Karate & Cheif Instructor.)

Rei (everyone bows towards the front of the Dojo to pay there respect to Kancho Robert Sullivan.)

Sensei, Rei
(everyone bows towards the Sensei or Sempai to pay respect for what they are about to learn.)

Autagani, Rei
(everyone now bows to the front of the class to pay respect for everyone about to train.)

Then the
Sensei will say (KIME), when you hear this jump up as fast as you can and stand in Yoi this is a parallel stance / ready stance and shout Hai this is the word for yes.

Then your sensei / sempai will take you through a general warm up then the class starts with punches, strikes, & Blocks. Normally this takes 30 min you will have a 5 min breather drink break then you will go through a warm up again for stances, kicks then after your basics are down packed to the satisfaction of your sensei / sempai you will do kata (which are pre-arranged pattern techniques against imaginary opponents). Then if there is enough time the sensei / sempai will play a couple of games.

The last point is leaving the DOJO which as you are leaving just before you walk out you will turn around face and bow just before leaving the Dojo, this is a sign once again of respect but this time for what you have just learnt & respect for your senei / sempai.
Back to Home Page