DOJO RULES & ETIQUETTE

Karate's history can be traced perhaps as far back as 5,000 years ago. Because of this long tradition, there are many rules of conduct and standards of etiquette of the student of Karate-Do (the “Do” symbolizes the “Way” of karate as a vehicle for personal development). These are necessary for everyone's safety, for maintaining an atmosphere optimal for training and to protect the rights of each student. 

DOJO

The Japanese refer to the karate training hall as the "dojo". Dojo means more than merely a place for training; it means a place where one seeks to perfect their character, and to master their body, mind, and spirit. The dojo is considered a very special place and is treated with respect.  No shoes are to be worn on the workout floor without permission. It is also a common in Japanese tradition to take of your shoes when entering a building.  Upon entering the Dojo, students will place their shoes, bags, and clothing in a cubbie. A karate-ka (true student of karate) is always precise. They keep their things neat, clean, and organized, as they will their minds and their lives.  As a sign of respect, students bow towards the workout area whenever coming onto or off the floor.  It is also a Japanese custom for students to bow and offer a greeting of "oss" to the senior instructor present when they enter or leave the dojo, or when asked a question during training.

CLASS TIME 

Students are to arrive five minutes prior to their class time.  Upon completion of placing belongings into cubbies, students will sit along the back of the mat waiting for their class.  Students may sit along the back of the mat fifteen minutes prior to their class starting.  Whenever instructed to get on their dots, students run into place and assume attention stance. There is no unnecessary talking when a class is in session, even if you are not in class.   At no time should the level of noise from the parent lounge exceed the level of noise on the mat. There should be no unnecessary moving about during class. When not instructed to do otherwise, students should be in attention stance,

with feet together. Students should be looking straight ahead ready for whatever will be performed next.  Students should always high five their Sensei and Sempai after class and call out the word of the month. If a student needs to leave the mat during a class they need to request permission from the Sensei.  When given permission to cross the floor while a class is in session, the student will go behind the class. They do not pass behind or between the instructor and the students. If a student arrives late (which should only happen occasionally and for good reason) they change quickly and then kneel down on the edge of the mat.  They should wait there until invited to join the class. Unless instructed otherwise, they line up at the first available spot at the end of the line, regardless of rank.  If a student is instructed to sit on the floor, he or she should do so by folding their legs underneath or in front of them. Also, they should not lean against the walls or lounge back against other people or objects. They should sit erect and orderly. 

RESPECT 

A student always addresses the Senior Instructors with proper respect. Each art has their own terms for senior teachers and in karate these include, Sempai, Sensei, Shihan, Kyoshi and Hanshi. Other black belts or regular designated instructors of our dojo are addressed as Sensei unless instructed otherwise.   A student always responds with "oos" when addressed by an instructor.  Students strive to comply with the requests of their instructor relative to training.  If it is recommended that they compete in a tournament, for example, they should make every effort to do so. If they cannot comply, they should always let their instructor know as soon as possible. 

UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT 

Students keep their "gi" (ghe) clean and in good order. The uniform contains no patches or other markings that are not authorized. Authorized patches and markings are those directly related to our dojo and affiliated organizations. These should only be afforded to specifically designated locations on their gi.  Students should wear their full uniform (unless given permission to do otherwise) and keep it as neat as possible throughout a workout. Any state of disarray should be immediately corrected during the interval between activities.  Karate T-shirts may be worn during the summer

months of June, July, and August. Students may wear a t-shirt under their uniform, however sweaters, polo shirts, and street clothes are not permitted. Students with long hair must have it tied back so that it is not a distraction to their training. Hair colour must be that of a natural hair colour.

Students should possess their own supplies, and safety equipment. These items may include protective cup (mandatory for males), mouthpiece, hand and footpads. Each student marks his or her equipment for sure identification.  Sparring equipment is not required until Black Belt Training begins. Inside the dojo we have specific uniform colors for positive reinforcement purposes. Only students at a specific level are allowed to wear those colors. For example Black Belt Club members wear black uniforms, Leadership Team members wear blue uniforms.  For Karate BC

events a white gi is mandatory. 

GENERAL 

Curran’s Karate instructors are expected to exemplify the most exacting standards of behaviour within the martial arts. They are not allowed to intentionally hurt, offend, or insult a student. If, at any time, you feel that a member of the staff has not acted appropriately, please bring it to the immediate attention of Sensei Ron. All missed classes can be made up at the student’s convenience.  Any time a student will miss more than two consecutive classes they must notify their instructor as to why they have missed so that any curriculum can be caught up on. Students may not train with other schools or instructors without prior permission from their Sensei. This is standard martial arts etiquette and done to prevent confusion, a slowing of ones progress, and possible injury.  Children are the responsibility of their parents and are not to be left unattended.  A dojo is a place to train seriously in the classical martial art of karate, not a baby-sitting service.

Pets are not permitted inside the dojo. Students are to bring a water bottle to each class to promote correct hydration.

CURRAN’S KARATE BELT TESTING

A karate belt will win no fights for you, and will not make you a better person. It is what you are inside, what you know and can perform, that is important, that is your true rank. As such, attaining belts in karate-do is never the true goal. Rather, always strive to achieve the physical, mental, and spiritual mastery, which results in a belt being awarded. Without these attributes, a belt is worthless.  There is only one true rank in karate-do black belt. All belts below it are progress points. A black belt represents completion of a course of study in the martial arts. Coloured belt ranks -such as red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown – represent progress towards achieving

black belt.  Quitting karate before a student is a black belt is like quitting school before he or she graduates. In many organizations, students who hold less than black belt rank lose their rank after six-months if they quit. This is because these ranks only represent progress and not attainment

of the only true rank -black belt. In the Japanese martial arts, all ranks below black belt are called "kyu" (cue) grades while black belt ranks are called "dan" grades to note this difference. 

Students test at each of their scheduled test dates. Tests represent fixed, short-term goals that you want to successfully complete on time. As in the case of regular school exams, you should study diligently on a daily basis, cramming at the end if necessary to ensure you successfully pass the test. Also, missing a test date indicates a lack of self-discipline, the ability to set and achieve goals. Indomitable spirit, is a very important factor in karate-do. It entails accepting a challenge and exerting whatever effort is necessary, or enduring whatever pain or labour is required, to achieve success. 

TEST SCHEDULE 

Belt testing will take place once every three months. Gold stripe testing will take place once a month.Time is not the most important element for promotion. Time requirements are established merely in general lengths of training time normally necessary to gain sufficient knowledge and skill to progress to the next level. If you have not trained regularly in-class for the required length of time, you might not be eligible for testing. Many factors are weighed when considering a promotion. These include such things as your physical skill, self-control, self-discipline, respect, spirit, neatness, attendance, and attitude-in the dojo, as well as in school, and work. Each student's potential is also taken into consideration. If a student has physical or psychological limitations, for example, he or she may be promoted to a higher rank with less demonstrated skill than a student who has greater potential.  Also, all students are required to successfully complete a screening process, known as stripe testing, in order to be allowed to take their next promotion examination. Stripe testing is required for two reasons: 1. to see if a student is ready to test and 2. to allow them to discover, prior to their actual examination, areas which need improvement. Students may be required to retake various portions of the stripe test before qualifying for their next examination. A stripe test requirement may change from test to test.  Once a student has passed their stripe

testing, they will be awarded their Gold Stripe. Note: Having a Gold Testing Stripe means that you have met minimum standards for that area. It doesn't mean you will necessarily pass during testing. So continue working to improve it.  All instructors utilize a lesson plan, which specifies what should be taught each week. This is done in order that all materials required for testing are covered in class. If you miss a week of classes, you may miss certain subjects’  just as you would at any school. This is why it is critical that you not miss classes.  With the exception of White Belts, all students must have three Red Stripes and three Gold Stripes in order to test. Administration fees for exams are required to be paid before testing.  These fees cover the school’s expense for exams, your belt, promotion certificate, and the registration of your rank. This is standard within all accredited martial arts organizations.