空手道 The Dojo

Your Dojo should be considered your personal sacred place to work out and train. Its positive atmosphere is created from the beginning of class during the Dojo Reishiki. It’s where you see your brothers and sisters (in Karatedo ) on a regular basis to help you improve on your way of life on a physical and ultimately a spiritual level.

Karatedo is but a part of your education received in the Dojo. In the Dojo you will learn the principals of many other styles, so much that many times when speaking to Martial Artists of other schools you may know more of their history and forms similar to and of their style than they do! But this is not the point for your Learning, you will learn basics (Kihon), self defense, how to respect yourself and others, how to earn your peers friendship, your own internal balance, physical techniques and levels of stamina one might have never thought possible of ones self, and principals to live the rest of your life by. Keep in mind that defense, fighting and pushing yourself physically are only the beginning of Karatedo and remember that enlightenment could be around the corner at any given time! Not saying it is unhealthy but, try not to think in the way of the Western World for at times it is empty of the final dream that Eastern World Martial Arts have so long aspired for.

We must not enter the Dojo with malice or antagonism, because this can lead to dangerous accidents or death. When we are in the Dojo, we must feel purposeful and alert.

In response to corrections deshi [students] the group or to the student personally, students should say "Hai" aloud. This indicates that the student understands and will take note. This is important as the intensity of the training may make a student miss an important point or command during an excercise. The loud response of "Hai" lets the instructor know that the student has heard and understood the instruction. Some Dojo use the word "Osu" as a greeting or affirmation, but this is sometimes considered rude and Gojuryu dojo do not use this term loosely.

During class the student should move quickly on the commands and in lining up so that no time is wasted. Students should try to maintain lines when moving with techniques, as this enables the instructor to see better and make corrections. Also students should try to maintain the same timing and rhythm of the class. This will aid the student in learning correct emphasis and speed of techniques. Senior students are placed at the front of the class to provide examples for the other students.

At times a rest will be needed in class, the instructor will give the command "kyukei" or "shokyu." Students should not leave the Dojo floor without getting the instructor's permission. This is for reasons of both courtesy and safety.