Information for Beginners

No shoes, we train in bare feet.

No jewelry (rings, watch, bracelets, necklaces, earrings)

Keep fingernails and toenails short.

Stand in the open door, facing the front of the dojo (shomen), bow with your hands to your sides, keeping your head in line with your spine (thus, looking down to the floor).

If you are late and class has started, bow in and quietly kneel near the entrance. Wait until the instructor (sensei) gives you directions. Still kneeling, bow, get up and quickly join the group.

If you are not feeling well during class or you have to leave early, get sensei’s attention by raising your hand, bow, excuse and leave by walking along your line towards the door.

While waiting for class to begin, the lowest ranking karateka clean the floor with a dry mop. If you see a higher rank cleaning, take over. After cleaning is done, practice on your own, let others help you or help others. Don’t run or fool around.

Senpai (student who is higher rank than you) and kohai (student who is lower rank than you) both always have the obligation to teach and learn from each other. The entire group has the goal to learn and improve.

When the instructor (sensei) enters the dojo, turn towards them, bow, and say Osu (ohss).

When class begins, somebody calls, “Line up!” or claps hands.…standing shoulder to shoulder…facing the front of the dojo (shomen) and sensei. Line up from left to right in order of rank (black belts left, white belts right — in some dojos this orientation may be different: pay attention!) When you hear “Seiza” (say–zah), wait until the person to your left kneels, then kneel yourself. When you hear “Mokusoh” (mohk–soh), close your eyes and try to clear your mind of concerns, problems, thoughts, in order to better focus during training.

Pay attention. Stand with feet about shoulder width apart and hold your hands in front of your lower body (ready position), unless sensei wants you to relax. If you stand relaxed, still focus and be ready for sensei to announce the next task.

Follow instructions instantly. If you need to take more than two steps, jog or run.

Don’t chat or goof around.

If you don’t know what to do, just try your best to follow along. Stay where you are.

When sensei demonstrates something and you have someone behind you, kneel down to let the other person see what sensei is doing.

Bow to your partner.

Say “onegaishimasu” (oh-nay-guy-she-mus). Begin.

Don’t aim to hit, just at the target.

Don’t aim at eyes, throat, groin or knee joint.

Block against wrist, not elbow joint.

After sparring: Bow to your partner.

Say “arigato”(ah-ree-gah-toe).

Line up again.

Follow instructions, and leave when excused by sensei.

Never lean against the wall or mirrors.

Don’t put your hands on your hips or cross your arms.

When sitting on the floor, never point your feet toward another person, or toward the front of the dojo (shomen).