United States Kyokushin Karate

Training Information

Class Schedule

General  Training  –  All  Levels

Tuesday:  7:30 - 9:00 pm

Thursday:  7:30 - 9:00 pm

     

Conditioning  &  Fighting

Saturday : 10:00 - 11:30 am

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Instructors

• Shihan  Bill Richards (5th Dan)

• Sensei  Dave Thomas (3rd Dan)

• Sempai  Matt Sarkisian (2nd Dan)

• Sempai  Joe Luke (1st Dan)

 

Dojo Etiquette

The Japanese word "Dojo," or Training Hall, literally means "Way (Tao) place."  The word has its origins in a Sanskrit word, bodhimandala, meaning "place of enlightenment."  A dojo is not a gym or a health club.  It is a special place by virtue of the respect and goals that the students share.  It is a place to study, train, and to perfect yourselves.  Students have a shared commitment to themselves and their dojo.  It fosters a sense of community and belonging, of giving and sharing.  This is what distinguishes the dojo from the isolation that is common in a gym or health club.

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In the dojo, formal rules of etiquette and respect are in place to cover how to greet people, how to enter and leave the dojo, how to fix your gi (karate uniform) while on the floor, and how to conduct yourself during training.  These formalities are observed by instructors as well as students.  Etiquette and respect are not a question of rank.

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Basic Rules of Etiquette

When entering and leaving the dojo, bow toward the front of the dojo and say "Osu" respectfully.  A good description of the meaning of Osu can be found on the Philosophy page of the USA-IFK Kyokushin Karate website.

Shoes are not worn on the dojo floor.  Apart from the cleanliness aspect, by removing your shoes your are showing respect for the dojo.  It is also symbolic of leaving the outside world when entering the dojo, in order to focus on training.

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Before class begins, greet the instructor, the yudansha (black belts) and other kohai (junior students) by approaching them, bowing and saying "Osu" respectfully, and shaking their hands.

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Yudansha (black belts) are addressed by their appropriate Japanese title:

"Shihan"     Expert      5th Dan and above

"Sensei"      Teacher    3rd & 4th Dan

"Sempai"    Senior      1st & 2nd Dan

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A standing bow should be done formally in Heisoku Dachi, with your feet together, or less formally in Musubi Dachi, with your heels together and your feet pointed outwards at a 45 degree angle.  Your hands are held in fists facing forward (as if holding ski poles), or extended for a two-handed hand shake.  A standing bow is done from the waist, with your knees slightly bent and your head moving with your upper body, while giving a loud "Osu."

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Beginning of Class

The most senior student in the class will shout "Line up," and everyone will line up by rank.  The instructor of the class will be in the first row, the other yudansha (black belts) will line up by rank in the second row, and the kohai(junior students) will line up by rank in subsequent rows, starting from the right.  Everyone will stand in Fudo Dachi, with their feet shoulder-width apart, pointed outwards at a 45 degree angle, and their hands held in fists facing forward (as if holding ski poles).

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The senior student will say "Seiza," and everyone will kneel down formally, sitting on your legs with your shins and the insteps of your feet on the floor, your body straight and your fists on your thighs near the waist.

The senior student will then direct the class to bow as follows:

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"Shomen Ni Rei"         Bow to the Front of the Dojo.

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A bow while kneeling in seiza is also done from the waist, with your fists going to the floor in front of you and your head moving with your upper body, while giving a loud "Osu."

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The senior student will then say "Mokuso," which means "meditation."  Mokusois done in order to leave the outside world and prepare yourself mentally for training.  During mokuso, you close your eyes and quietly breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.  After a short while, the senior student will say "Mokuso yame," which means "stop meditation."

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The senior student will then direct the class to bow as follows:

"Shihan ni rei"       Bow to Shihan (if present).

"Sensei ni rei"         Bow to Sensei (if present).

"Sempai ni rei"       Bow to the Sempais (if present).

"Otagai ni rei"        Bow to Each Other.

 

The instructor will then say "Training begins," at which time everyone stands up in Fudo Dachi, alert and ready to start.

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While Training

If you arrive for class after it has already begun, do not simply join the training in progress.  That would be impolite.  Instead, bow and enter the dojo, then turn around and kneel in seiza facing the back.  The instructor will soon invite you to join the class.

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When the instructor is giving directions or demonstrating a technique, or while waiting briefly between drills, stand in Fudo Dachi respectfully.  Do not slouch or lean against anything, including yourself, no matter how tired you may be.

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Acknowledge the directions of the instructor with a loud "Osu."

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If the instructor tells you to sit down and relax while others are still training, go to the back of the dojo and sit cross-legged on the floor in anza (relaxed sitting), or kneel in seiza if so directed.  Do not sit in a chair, slouch or lean against anything, including yourself, no matter how tired you may be.  Remain quiet and pay attention to what the others are doing.

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When you adjust your gi (karate uniform), first turn away from front of the dojo and the instructor.

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End of Class

The senior student will shout "Line up," and everyone will line up by rank.  The senior student will then say "Seiza," and everyone will kneel down formally.

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The senior student will then direct the class to bow as follows:

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"Shomen Ni Rei"     Bow to the Front of the Dojo.

 

The senior student will lead the class in the recital of the Dojo Kun (Training Hall Oath).

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The senior student will then say "Mokuso" to start the meditation.  This is done in order for you to reflect on your training and prepare yourself mentally to leave the dojo and return to the outside world.

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If Shihan is present, the senior student below his rank will direct the class to thank him for instructing:

 

"Shihan ni arigato gozaimashita"            Thank you very much, Shihan.

"Rei."                                                              Bow.

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If any Senseis or Sempais are present, the senior student below their rank will direct the class to thank them for instructing:

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"Sensei ni arigato gozaimashita."     Thank you very much, Sensei.
"Rei."                                                      Bow.
"Sempai ni arigato gozaimashita."   Thank you very much, Sempai.
"Rei."                                                      Bow.

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The senior student will then direct the class to bow to each other:

"Otagai ni rei."                                     Bow to each other.

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The instructor will then say "Training ends," at which time everyone stands up in Fudo Dachi, and then lines up to bow to and shake hands with the instructor and the other yudansha (black belts).

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Dojo Rules

In addition to the above rules of etiquette, other rules are in place which govern the conduct of the students in the dojo.

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Hygiene

• Always keep your finger nails and toe nails neatly trimmed, to prevent injury to yourself and others.

• Always keep your gi (karate uniform) laundered and in good repair.  However, never wash your obi (belt).

• Always keep yourself clean.  No one wants to train with someone who is filthy.

• Always keep the dojo neat and clean.

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Training

• Pay your dues and test fees promptly.  Remember, the dojo has bills to pay every month.

• Try to get to the dojo early enough to stretch and warm up before class.

• Prior to class, kohai (junior students) should sweep the dojo floor.

• Remove all jewelry, to prevent injury to yourself and others.

• Always put forth your best efforts while training.  At the end of training, you should be able to look yourself in the mirror and honestly say, "Today I did my best."

• Strive to keep up with the rest of the class, but don't worry if you are not able to perform a specific technique or drill.

• Pay attention to the instructors.

• Concentrate on your own techniques, and don't pay attention to what another student is doing (unless of course you're fighting the other student).

• Do not lounge around between drills.  Instead, remain attentive and alert.

• If directed to sit down, do not sit in a chair.  These are for guests only.  Either sit in "anza" or kneel in "seiza," as directed.

• Always show respect to the instructors, to your fellow students, and to visitors to dojo.

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Prohibited Behavior

• Smoking or using illegal narcotics.

• Unsupervised kumite (fighting).

• Practicing dangerous techniques on other students, including techniques to the groin, joints, back, kidneys, throat, etc.

• Intentionally provoking another student to fight.

• Performing tameshiwari (breaking) without the permission and supervision of the instructor.

• Walking on the dojo floor in street shoes.

• Using profanity within the dojo.

• Removing equipment or other articles from the dojo without the permission of the instructor.

• The use of karate for any purpose other than for which it is taught.