Traditional Japanese Karate involves understanding the importance of respect in all aspects of training. Areas covered in the rules and regulations apply to anyone training or visiting any Rockwood Karate Dojo during class. Please read carefully and follow every rule. Part of your training includes knowing and understanding why our rules are important. If you have questions, please ask Sensei or Senpai before or after class.
The Dojo
Upon entering the Dojo/training area, shoes and socks must be removed and placed neatly at the side of the outer doorway.
Before entering and exiting the actual Dojo training area, students and instructors must bow/rei to the front/shomen.
Karate students should not engage in conversation while in the Dojo unless it has been included as part of a lesson.
When not exercising, students must remain quiet and attentive.
Appropriate and proper sitting and standing positions will be taught and must not be altered during training time in the Dojo.
Karate students will be taught when and how to perform risturei (standing bow) and zarei (kneeling bow) and must always carry out these procedures at the appropriate time.
It is the responsibility of the Karate students to leave the Dojo, change rooms, and all other areas used for training, as clean and in good condition or better, as they were the moment the student entered.
Class Training
Karate students always show respect to their instructors and Karate seniors in the following manner. Instructors are to be addressed as Sensei. Senior Karate students should be addressed as Senpai. Both should always be approached with a bow.
Karate students follow the instructions of their karate instructors and their seniors at all times during class.
It is important to always be courteous and helpful to each other while training. We all learn from one another and each student earns respect in this way.
Punctuality is critical due to time limitations for scheduled training sessions as well as the absolute necessity of warm-up time.
If a student is unavoidably late for class, appropriate procedure is to kneel in seiza at the entryway and wait for the Sensei or Senpai to permit entry to join the class.
Skilled Karate students are always serious about their training, sincerely entering into the spirit of karate, especially during kihon kuimte (basic sparring) and shiai (contest). The spirit of fair play, obedience to referees' judgment and maintainence of proper attitude during a match or practice are of the greatest importance.
Karate students must only perform techniques formally taught to them by their instructo, and only in designated training areas.
Anyone who has consumed alcoholic beverages will not be permitted to train. Injury due to poor judgement, as well as undignified conduct, would likely be the result. Therefore it is strictly prohibited within the Dojo.
Dress Code
The traditional Karate Gi must always be worn in the correct manner to all training sessions. Proper wearing of the Gi will be explained in class.
The Karate Gi must always be kept in good condition and treated with respect. It must be clean and ironed in preparation for class. When not in use it must be folded neatly and hung in a safe place.
Gi’s should be washed in cold water only without bleach and hung to dry. Never put your Gi in the dryer or it will shrink and discolour over time. It is Karate tradition to keep Karate belts free from washing. This prevents colours from fading or running.
Only the female students are permitted to wear a white tee shirt under the Karate Gi. Sweatbands of any kind are not allowed.
The wearing of make-up is discouraged due to the danger of staining the white Gi fabric.
Long hair must be tied back without using metal or hard plastic hair clips. Earrings must be removed before class begins.
Karate students must always keep their finger and toe nails short and clean to avoid injury or damage to each other or the Karate Gi. Respect your Gi and your fellow students by keeping your body clean and free of colognes or perfumes when training. These can stain Gi’s and some people have allergies to them.
It is strictly prohibited to wear any sharp objects on your body while training including all forms of jewelry. Such objects can damage the Gi or injure someone.
Any form of religious jewelry, clothing or symbols are not permitted in the Dojo during training, without exception.
Students are not allowed to chew candy, gum or food during training due to risk of choking and disrupting the training area.
Your Karate Gi is only for training and should not be seen in a public place such as a restaurant, cinema, shopping mall or on Halloween. Breaking this rule is considered highly disrespectful unless it is during a planned Karate training event.
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