All students are responsible to follow these
training guidelines. Students are expected to abide by the proper code of
ethics in and out of the karate dojo. Anyone found abusing their karate training,
or not abiding by the proper code of ethics may have their membership canceled.
The serious student will think of the following not only as a set of guidelines
for training, but as guidelines for living the life of a true student of Karate
with Christian values.
DISCIPLINE: Always relate to the
Spiritual Discipline of God’s word.
STUDENT
GUIDELINES:
Remove shoes at the door.
Remove all rings, bracelets, watches, earrings,
and any other form of jewelry before training.
Female and male students with long hair should
tie it back with a cloth-like material.
Perform the proper bow when you enter or leave
the dojo, and when you are ready to begin or end a training
set with a partner.
No smoking, alcoholic beverages, gum chewing,
or candy of any kind.
When entering the dojo you must enter with the
intention of training. When you put on your gi you
should put it on with the wish to train seriously.
All students waiting for their training session
should wait quietly until their training session begins. There will be no loud
or disrupting conversation. Students should be thinking of their training and
how to improve themselves. When doing this, be honest with your thoughts.
Before beginning of class all students should
do their stretch and warm up routine until the senior student calls the class
to attention.
Each student is responsible for making sure
that their name is checked off on the attendance sheet, as that will be
reviewed at promotion time.
Keep informed of all announcements, pay
attention.
The senior student, or student designated, will
take attendance as soon as possible prior to the start of the training session.
The senior student should ask the instructor if
he or she could assist in training the lower ranking students. This is a privilege
and obligation on the part of the senior student.
If you see anyone misbehaving, explain that it
is not acceptable in this dojo.
Report any injuries to your instructor
immediately.
Lead others by example, so they may follow you
by choice.
TRADITIONAL
STUDENT CREED:
I will develop myself in a positive manner and
avoid anything that would reduce my mental or physical growth.
I will develop self-discipline in order to
bring out the best in myself and others.
I will use what I learn in class constructively
and defensively to help my fellow man and woman, and never to be abusive or
offensive.
TRADITIONAL
KARATE OATH:
I Come To You With
Only Karate, Empty Hands,
I Have No Weapons;
But Should I Be Forced To Defend Myself, My
Principles, My Honor, My Family,
Should It Be A Matter
Of Life Or Death,
Of Right Or Wrong;
Then Here Are My Weapons, Karate, My Empty
Hands.
KARATE
TRAINING GUIDELINES:
We approach the study of karate with the
greatest humility and deepest respect for those who have come before us in the
true "way". Karate is unique. It is the most powerful of all the
martial arts. However, it is so only for the serious student who practices in
the proper state of mind…no winning or losing…no friend or foe, only training,
for which there is no substitute.
Your training should start slowly. You will be
using muscles that are rarely used. As you progress in skills and knowledge,
you should demand more of yourself. Remember, there is no substitute to
perfection in karate or in life. If you truly dedicate yourself to serious
training, a vast wealth of knowledge, self satisfaction and enlightenment await
you. It comes only through hard work and training; it comes only as a direct
result of your total effort.
Karate is a self defense art. You must train
with deep seriousness from the first day. Each punch, block or kick must be
delivered with entire body in unison. No matter how much time you devote to
training; months or years, if your training consists of no more than moving
your arms and legs, you will never understand the true meaning of karate. You
must commit to the effort and willingness to train hard.
When your instructor tells you to do something,
do it exactly as you are taught, without complaining. Only those students unwilling
to face up to themselves resort to complaining. Cultivate deep respect for
courtesy, tradition and discipline. These elements are not confined to the
dojo. At home, one is respectful and obedient to parents, at school to
teachers, at work to superiors, and in the military to officers…so it is in
true Karate-do and in life. Think of every day life as karate training.
Do not think of karate as belonging only in the
dojo, or only as a method of defense. The spirit of karate training is
applicable to each and every aspect of our daily lives. The indomitable spirit
born of bearing down and gritting your teeth against the pain of a thousand
kicks or blinking the sweat from your eyes from doing kata
over and over will serve you will in every day life. One whose spirit and
mental strength have been forged by long hours of hard training will face any
challenge with a "can do" attitude. One who has undergone long hours
of hard physical training and mental agony to learn one technique can face any
task…any carry it through with a successful conclusion. When you have done
this, you can successfully say that you have begun to understand the true
"way".
THE DOJO
KUN: (Staff of the Dojo)
SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER
The idea of karate is to cultivate novel character,
conduct and the virtues of modesty and courtesy.
BE FAITHFUL
"No forestalling in karate" Karate is
the military art of self defense to protect and preserve one's life. Never is
it used to attack ones own initiative.
ENDEAVOR TO EXCEL
"Perseverance is the root of all
conduct." True patience lies in bearing what in is unbearable.
RESPECT OTHERS
Softness is unity. Strength is unity.” The
ultimate object of a human being should be coexistence and co prosperity in
"peace". All human actions,
softness, and strength should be united into "peace".
REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
Avoid fights and quarrels even if one is dared
to engage in them. Karate begins and ends with courtesy, not in form alone, but
more importantly, in the heart and mind.
THE OKINAWAN
DOJO:
The dojo is the place where karate is taught.
It is a place where students grow and learn, not only in physical abilities,
but more so in mental strength and self confidence. Each time a student enters
or leaves the dojo, he gives a bow of respect. The instructor is always the
first one he greets when entering and leaving the dojo. Conduct in the dojo is
always of the highest quality. The dojo is the place where the discipline of
karate as a moral conduct is shaped. The only instance where voices can be
heard is when information is being exchanged. The esteem in which the dojo is
held is so high that the complete maintenance and care of the dojo are
accomplished by the students, thus allowing no outsider in for cleaning or
maintenance work.
DOJO
GUIDELINES:
Keep to the rules of this dojo and never be
self righteous.
Observe decorum toward the instructor,
superiors, and equals. Students should always be courteous to fellow
practitioners and should strive to cultivate the virtues of modesty.
Endeavor to cultivate perseverance, a sound
body and indomitable spirit by training to learn more than just the techniques
of karate.
Strive for: Elevation of the soul, Formation of
character, A peaceful existence
Always be prudent in conduct and never provoke
a quarrel out of a conceited form of karate knowledge.
In karate, practice forms and techniques in an
orderly fashion, one by one, step by step, and increase training time and
strength gradually. Do not carry out a rigorous exercise regimen from the
beginning.
Use makiwara and
other training aids habitually in order to train fists and other parts of the
body.
It has been said that it takes at least three
years to master a single kata completely. Unlimited
time is needed to master all kata variations of the techniques
of karate.
Never be self
conceited. Self conceit will prevent progress and will cause antisocial
behavior with the karateka.
Practice each and every form of karate in an
orderly fashion and evenly, so as not to make strong and weak points.
A student should ask his instructors and
seniors whatever questions he may have to solve questions and problems.
HEAR AND
FORGET...SEE AND REMEMBER...DO AND UNDERSTAND