Woodlane welcomes new students and provides this guide to anyone considering taking up Ishinryu karate training
Karate starts and ends with good manners. This is especially important within the Dojo – the place where training takes place.
Arrive in good time, at least 10 minutes in advance of the lesson. Dojo fees must be paid in advance to the club secretary or nominated assistant. Wait for your name to be recorded so your regular attendance can be recorded.
Always be suitably dressed before entering the Dojo. This will be in Karate Gi and a belt of appropriate Grade. New starters may wear tee-shirt and track suit trousers for the first few lessons.
No Jewellery is permitted in the Dojo. This includes watches and earrings. If you wear a wedding ring that cannot be easily removed, it should be covered during the lesson (e.g. with sticking plaster).
Hair must be neat and, if long, tied back. No hair clips, or other hard head decoration should be worn.
Finger and Toe nails must be kept well trimmed so as not to present a hazard during training.
Never bring any electronic device such as a mobile phone or pager into the Dojo.
Always bow when entering or leaving the Dojo. Stop at the entrance and assume the Musibi-Dachi stance (heels together and hands to the side). Bow deeply from the waist towards any senior grades within the Dojo. As you bow say the Japanese word 'Osu' to signify respect. If the Dojo is empty when you enter, bow to the centre of the room.
There will be some time between entering the Dojo and the start of training. Use this time for your personal stretching and warm up routine. You may want to use this time to practice Kata or techniques learnt in previous lessons. Do not use this time for idle chit-chat. The session starts when you enter the Dojo.
Be aware as Instructors and Senior Students (Black Belt) enter the Dojo. As they bow, you must face them and bow in return saying "Osu" as a show of respect. Failure to do so is regarded as a serious breach of etiquette.
When called to order at the start of the lesson you must line up in grade order facing the instructor(s) with senior grades to the right. Depending on the width of Dojo and number of students, there may be multiple lines. Senior grades must be in the front line.
Instructors must never be addressed by their name in the Dojo. Senior Instructors must always be addressed as Sensei in the Dojo. Senior students who are assisting the instructors should be addressed as Senpai in the Dojo.
When receiving a direct instruction or correction from an instructor, always respond with "Osu" to show that you understand what is required.
Be fully attentive during the whole duration of the lesson. Do not distract, or be distracted, by other students.
Bottled water is allowed in the Dojo, but refreshment may only be taken if directed by an instructor. Juniors may be permitted to have flavoured water (e.g. Orange Squash, Ribena, etc). Fizzy drinks are not allowed.
No food or sweets are allowed in the Dojo at any time. Chewing gum is prohibited.
At the start of formal training all students and instructors must participate in the bow. This may be executed from a kneeling position (Seiza) or as a standing bow. At the start of training a selected student will announce “Sensei nee Rei” at which all students will bow and respond 'Osu'. The student will then announce “Senpai nee Rei” and again, all students will bow and respond with 'Osu'.
At the end of formal training students will once again line up in grade order for the final bow. A selected student will announce “Sensei nee domo arigato gozaimashita - Rei” at which all students will bow and respond 'Osu'. The student will then announce “Senpai nee domo arigato gozaimashita - Rei” and again, all students will bow and respond with 'Osu'.
At the end of the lesson, leave the Dojo quickly and quietly. At the entrance, turn to face the centre of the Dojo, and bow (with 'Osu') as you leave.