Our Karate

Regarding Attendance:

White Belt to Yellow Belt: 35 classes                      Yellow to Yellow Stripe: 25 classes
Yellow Stripe to Orange: 30 classes                       Orange to Orange Stripe: 30 classes
Orange Stripe to Green: 30 classes                        Green to Green Stripe: 40 classes
Green Stripe to Blue: 40 classes                              Blue to Blue Stripe: 60 classes
Blue Stripe to Brown: 60 classes                             Brown to Brown Stripe: 60 classes
Brown Stripe to Black: 60 classes

Regarding Kata:

Yellow Belt: Taikyoku Shodan                                   Yellow with black stripe: Heian Shodan
Orange Belt: Heian Nidan                                         Orange with black stripe: Heian Sandan
Green Belt: Heian Yodan                                           Green Belt with black stripe: Heian Godan
Blue Belt: Heian Godan                                             Blue with black stripe: Empi
Brown Belt: Empi                                                        Brown Belt with black stripe: Kanku Dai
Black Belt Shodan (first degree): All previous kata, two advanced kata, one weapon kata.
Nidan (second degree):  All previous kata, three advanced kata, one weapon kata.

As a student, you need to be aware of the routines and rules regarding the dojo and activities. In addition there are some more specific areas of concern that we try to address through the dojo rules. These areas of concern have to do with behaviour that is befitting a student of Karate. Some areas relate to safety and common sense, and some relate to respect and attitude.

Once in the school, please remove your shoes before entering the dojo. Students will bow upon entering and before leaving the dojo. When you ‘bow in’ you stand at the edge of the training area and bow, facing inward toward the training area as you do so. When you ‘bow out’ you bow in the same way, again facing inward toward the training area. You are welcome to arrive early for your class. You are to use this time before class for stretching or for practicing basics. This is not an opportunity for horseplay with other students. You are not permitted to use any school equipment left from the day or the gymnastics equipment along the walls. Parents are always welcome to view classes along the side of the dojo. Practice as much as you can at home; but do not practice on your spouse, brothers, sisters, parents or friends. You should also refrain from bragging to friends that you are learning Karate.

Students will behave respectfully and courteously to others, both inside and outside the dojo. In the dojo, students will address all black belts as ‘Sensei.’ Assistant instructors should be addressed as ‘Sempai.’ As an individual, you have the right to defend yourself from physical attack. However, no Karate student will provoke or incite violence inside or outside the dojo, or allow himself or herself to be provoked or manipulated into a violent response. Students who fight outside the dojo will be barred, except in circumstances in which they had no alternative but to defend themselves. Club membership can be terminated on the basis of behaviour considered inappropriate.

Higher belts will aid lower belts in their training. Lower belts will follow the instructions of higher belts in the dojo. All ranks will treat each other with courtesy and respect. No alcohol or drugs are permitted in the dojo, nor are such substances (whether prescribed or ‘recreational’) to be taken prior to a workout. Students who are found to be using illegal substances will be suspended or expelled. No chewing gum, pop or candy will be permitted in the dojo. Please note that it is extremely dangerous to chew gum or eat candy during a workout. There will be no sparring at any time in the dojo, save under supervision and with the express permission of the sensei. While your practice of Karate should be enjoyable, it is important that you maintain an appropriate attitude at all times, for your safety and safety of others. In addition, no profanity, yelling, horseplay or rude behaviour is permitted in the dojo. Do not criticize other karateka. There is no ‘best’ style, no ‘best’ practitioner. You are not engaged in a competition with your fellow students; nor are you training in order to put down other clubs or systems. You are in ‘competition’ only with yourself. Train hard and help others - this is the key to self - improvement. Students must comply with dojo health rules. Personal cleanliness is essential, and finger and toe nails must be kept clean and short. If you are ill with a cold or the flu or some other communicable ailment, refrain from working out until you are well - your fellow students don’t really want to catch what you have. If you are injured or develop any medical condition that puts you at risk of further injury if you work out, you must advise sensei. We want you to train Karate for a long time, so don’t put yourself at risk.

Students must make a real and earnest attempt to attend classes. If you cannot attend for a long period because of work, illness or injury, please let us know. Students are not to wear rings, watches or other jewellery during classes. The way you conduct yourself in the dojo reflects your attitude about Karate. Please try to stand straight and pay attention - avoid touching or leaning on the walls at all times. When a black belt enters the dojo, the class must come to attention and bow to the black belt. This applies to a higher ranking black belt than those already in attendance. If the black belt crosses his or her arms or indicates otherwise, this rule does not apply. When you attend class, your Karate gi (your uniform) must be clean and presentable. Under no circumstances will any student of the dojo teach any form of Karate to a non-student, save with the express permission of Sensei.

In most styles of Karate, there are certain concepts or watch-words about behaviour that responsible instructors introduce to their students very early in the learning process. Sometimes these concepts are presented in the form of rules or opening rituals, or are combined with meditation practice. They are intended to make students aware that Karate is so much more than simply a set of physical skills or techniques. It is a way of relating to other people meaningfully, so that the students’ contact with others becomes enriched and rewarding. We want you to make this awareness or understanding a part of your life, inside and outside of the dojo. Try to adopt the following statements or directions as part of your dealings with the other people in your own life: Be moderate and courteous - control your emotions.

Do what is right, and always be just.

Be modest in what you say and do.

Have respect for others.

Make Karate-do a lifelong study

Deal with others as you wish them to deal with you.

Different martial arts schools and styles seem to take widely differing approaches to the question of performance standards for students, whether with respect to levels for promotion or to levels for daily class performance. Some traditional schools seem very harsh by modern standards, requiring absolute, clonelike, technical perfection from every student for promotion purposes, and insisting on absolute adherence to daily practice standards even in the face of serious injury (which students are presumably to ignore). There may be some justifications for some of these practices or attitudes - but if one is to make Karate a lifelong study, one must take a more balanced and realistic approach. In this dojo, we expect you to give 100% of the effort and concentration you are capable of giving on any particular day, taking into account your age, your physical condition, any pre-existing physical or medical problems you may have, your needs or reasons for training, and the like. If you are injured, or are at risk of being injured as a result of particular training activities, then we expect you to let us know that, and to use common sense in deciding whether to train. We would rather see you in Karate for a long time - as opposed to a hard time. While we will evaluate the effort you exert and the progress you make against the formal belt requirements. We will also look at your development relative to your starting point, your needs and your capabilities. Also remember that your level of attendance is, at least in part, indicative of your attitude and your dedication.