WELCOME TO THE SHOTOKAN KARATE ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL (SKAI)

Dear Parents, Karateka and new members,

Welcome to another exciting year.  We are truly blessed to be able to welcome you all back, what a privilege to be able to start a new year with our loved ones.  May you reap a great harvest on the labour of your hands and may the Lord be glorified therein! Be joyful, work hard and train hard!

DOJO RULES AND ETIQUETTE

Etiquette teaches us respect and courtesy, but ultimately, it is about training your mind.  A dojo is a special place where students should hold themselves to a higher standard of behaviour.  Below are the Dojo Rules to be applied by all SKAI Dojos.  These are designed to help members to act consistently and aid in building a higher standard of conduct in all SKAI dojos.

Use of Karate:  Karate techniques should only be used for self-defence (Karate ni sente nashi – there is no first attack in karate).  SKAI members are not allowed to become involved in physical altercations outside the dojo, unless it is in a self-defense situation.  It is not allowed to misuse knowledge, show lack of self-control, or show lack of respect towards parents, friends, fellow students, instructors, SKAI or the general public.  Restraint is a great virtue in karate

Arriving, waiting for your class and leaving: Make a sincere effort to arrive on time (15 minutes before) at class.  Bow at the door when entering or leaving the dojo, direct your bow to the senior person present and acknowledge his or her presence with the greeting oss (pronounced os) – even if they do not see you.  Please remove your shoes, prior to entering the dojo.  Should you arrive late at class or should you arrive early for the next class, bow to the sensei and discreetly wait until permission is granted to join the class – do not disrupt a class.  Once permission has been granted, perform bow, then walk behind other students to find an appropriate spot.  Do not leave the class floor without permission – if you need to leave the class, raise your hand, and inform the instructor.  Inform the instructor beforehand if you need to leave the class early.  Absence from class due to illness, must be reported to the instructor before the class commences.  If the instructor arrives late or needs to leave early, the class should be brought into attention by the senior student and show proper courtesy to the arriving/leaving instructor.

Warm-up: Do not talk during warm-up, get your mind prepared for training.  During warm-up, follow the person leading mirror image – move in the same direction.  Warm-up should be done quietly with a serious concentrated effort in preparation for the class that follows.

Behaviour during Class: The head instructor should always be addressed as Sensei, inside and outside the dojo.  An assistant instructor assisting the sensei or leading a class on the sensei’s behalf should be called senpai, inside and outside the dojo.  Students should line-up in rank order when classes start or end – descending order.  During class times maintain a good attitude, pay attention and show the utmost of respect to all around you.  Stand in a neutral position and do not cross your arms.  Do not lean against anything and if you are instructed to move more than 2 steps away, move quickly (run).  Do not yawn, stretch, roll your eyes or groan in class.  There will be no chewing of gum, eating or drinking allowed on the dojo floor.  Do not offer unsolicited advice during class time to other students – disrespectful towards the instructor.  Notify your instructor immediately if you are ill, do not feel well, or if you have hurt yourself/been hurt.  Karate begins and ends with respect so always act courteous in and outside the dojo.  Always remember to say please, thank you and you’re welcome.  No foul language or bad behavior will be tolerated.  Do not interrupt or require the attention of the head instructor before, during, or after class—please call during the day, e-mail, or text the instructor should you need advice or information.  There should be no talking by members during class, as it is distracting and also disrespectful to the instructor.  If the instructor is demonstrating a technique, every student must stand in a good and attentive posture.  No horseplay or play fighting is allowed inside or outside the dojo.  Children waiting to be collected should wait inside the dojo, it is not allowed to wander aimlessly around outside the dojo. 

Cleanliness, Hygiene: No rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or watches are allowed—please leave these at home to prevent loss of these articles.  Keep your hands and feet clean, and toe and fingernails should be neatly trimmed.  Make sure that your body is clean and that it is not offensively smelling, use deodorant if needed.

Dogi (Karate Uniforms): Dogis (karate uniforms) are to be clean and wrinkle-free.  White traditional dogis are required.  Any rips or holes in dogi’s should be repaired if the dogis cannot be replaced.

Only females may wear a plain white t-shirt below the dogi jacket.  If your dogi jacket, belt (obi), etc. needs adjustment, turn your back towards the instructor, fix the dogi, and promptly turn back.  Never throw or drop your obi, and never wash it—your obi is a symbol of your fighting spirit and hard work. Do not hang your obi around your neck—it is only acceptable when your black belt is handed over in class.  The Shotokan badge only may be worn on the left side of the dogi.

Parents and visitors: Visitors are always welcome if they abide by the dojo rules.  Children must be always supervised and under control and not be allowed to run wild or near the training area.  Parents, please do not talk or gesture to your children when they are attending class, as this is not only disrespectful towards the instructor, but is also very distracting to all trainees.  If there is an issue that a parent wishes to discuss, please do so outside training hours.  The atmosphere inside a dojo should be very much like a college classroom or library – the dojo is not a playground. 

SOME KARATE TERMINOLOGY

Dojo:

“School of karate” or “place of learning and training

Sensei:

Teacher (the one who has gone before)—is an instructor 3^rd Dan and

higher and/or the owner of a dojo.

Senpai:

An instructor or assistant instructor not yet a 3^rd Dan, assisting a sensei or leading a class on the sensei’s behalf.

Dogi:

Karate uniform

Karateka:

Individual members of each dojo who are registered annually as members through their

respective dojos where they train.

Kata:

Forms training—choreographed pattern of martial arts to be practiced alone or in groups

Kumite:

Sparring – meeting of hands

Oss:

Acknowledgement/Affirmation

Hai:

Yes / Understood

Willem Burger - Shotokan Karate Academy International Chief Instructor

Telephone - +26461 – 25 1921

Cellphone - +26481 129 2519

P.O. Box - 80491, Olympia, Windhoek, Namibia

E-Mail - willemburger30@gmail.com