Iha Karate		Schedule		Location		Student Guide
	Children		Drills

Welcome
You've just begun a new chapter in your life that could have a significant impact on your future. How significant? That depends on your commitment to serious training, consistently, in the Way of Karate-do. This beginning guide will help you get started in the right direction. By choosing to start, you’ve made the first step. Now you need patience, humility, and the stubbornness not to quit.

Friendship - Cooperation - Partnership
An important part of your training is promoting friendship among your fellow dojo partners. No student is better than another. Only through mutual cooperation and partnership will you be able to truly improve. You must train with an open and empty mind. That’s why our gi (uniform) is white…to remind us to be empty.

When to Bow
Bowing, for a beginning student, is probably one of the more confusing practices to understand. You either will bow too much or not enough. Watching your sempai (senior students) is one of the best ways to learn. Here’s a list of  “when to bow”s to help you get started:

In order to keep track of your training consistency, attendance cards are marked each time you attend a class. Before class begins make sure that you have retrieved your card. Just prior to the start of class, the instructor will collect the cards personally from each student and mark your attendance.

Care of the Dojo
This is not a commercial business, so don’t expect to see a janitor cleaning the bathrooms, emptying the trash, or sweeping the floor. There’s more to budo (martial way) than just training. You’re part of a traditional dojo and everyone is expected to help out. It’s no different than a home. Things need fixing and there are a lot more people to make it dirty. If you arrive early, look for something that needs to be done. After class, everyone  should pitch in and clean up, making sure that the change rooms and bathrooms are left cleaner than you found them. Don’t wait to be asked to help, or leave without doing your share. In addition, there are many opportunities for students to provide additional help based on their occupation and special talents.

Paying Dues
It’s your obligation to pay your agreed upon dues in a consistent and timely manner. Being sick or injured does not excuse you from your commitment. If you’re having temporary financial difficulties, you should discuss it with Sensei and let him know when you plan on returning to pay your fair share. If he wants you to continue training he will let you know, but don’t assume or expect his cooperation. In the event that you have to leave temporarily, continue training on your own so that you are prepared when you return.

The Shido-kan Style
Shido-kan is the specific style of Okinawa Shorin-ryu karate that we study, and is identified by the patches on your uniform. The Shido-kan Beikoku seal patch is applied to the left arm immediately below the shoulder seam. The Shido-kan kanji patch should be placed on the left side of the jacket over your breast so that the patch is straight up and down after the jacket has been tied with the belt. As you progress in your training, you’ll have an opportunity to become an official Shido-kan association member.

Basic Techniques
As a beginning student, you should become familiar with the following basic techniques. They are the foundation of your training.

Basic Stances
·    Attention stance - musubi dachi
·    Natural stance - hachiji dachi
·    Basic stance - kihon dachi
·    Back stance - ukiashi dachi
·    Straddle stance - shiko dachi
·    Forward stance - zenkutsu dachi
·    Horse riding stance - kiba dachi
·    Leaning back stance - kokutsu dachi

Basic Blocks
·    High block - jodan uke
·    Outside block - chudan uke
·    Inside block - soto uke
·    Low block - gedan barai
·    Hooking hand block - kagite uke

Basic Punches & Strikes
·    High punch - jodan zuki
·    Middle punch - chudan zuki
·    Knife hand strike - shuto uchi

Basic Kicks
·    Front snap kick - mae geri
·    Side kick - yoko geri
·    Roundhouse kick - mawashi geri
·    Back thrust kick - ushiro geri
·    Stomping kick - fumikomi geri

Terminology
These are the basic terms that you’ll commonly hear and use while training in the dojo. Make a point to learn their meaning and correct pronunciation.

Counting In Japanese

Dojo Manners & Rules
The dojo is a special place where we train ourselves both physically and mentally. Students should respect each other and the dojo by observing the following manners and rules:

1. Always show courtesy, politeness, respect, and kindness to all.
   
   
2. Observe the training schedule by arriving early and being prepared for class. If you’re late, change immediately, and then wait for permission from the instructor before entering the training area.
   
   
3. Shoes should be removed when entering the dojo and placed neatly in the area provided.
   
   
4. When entering or leaving the training area, show your respect by bowing.
   
   
5. Your gi should be kept clean and neat. Wearing jewelry or hair ornaments is not allowed and your fingernails and toenails should be kept short to prevent injury to other students and yourself.
   
   
6. When the instructor calls for training to begin, line up quickly, facing the Shomen (front of the dojo).
   
   
7. Bow to the instructor, senior students, and each other with appreciation and respect.
   
   
8. Training with cuts or open sores is strictly prohibited unless properly covered. If injured while training, stop immediately and ask permission to obtain first aid supplies.
   
   
9. When adjusting your clothing or wiping perspiration from your face, always turn away from the instructor.
   
   
10. During class, kata should be performed with kime (focused power). If you become tired, rather than proceed weakly, rest for a short period and then continue.
     
11. Never leave the class for water, or early dismissal, without first getting permission.
    
    
12. Listen carefully to the advice and instructions given to you. Don’t forget to thank the instructor and senior student(s) to show that you have heard and understood their comments.
    
    
13. Sempai (senior students) are responsible for setting the example of cooperation and conduct in the dojo. Kohai (junior students) should observe closely the actions of the sempai to correctly further their learning.
    
    
14. Don’t talk in class except to ask or answer a question. While observing training, always stand, kneel, or sit in a proper way and do not bother others by talking.
    
    
15. No sparring is allowed below 1^st kyu rank without permission. Fooling around can result in injuries and is absolutely prohibited.
    
    
16. Any outside activities (fighting, etc.) that bring discredit to Sensei, the school, karate-do, or the student are sufficient reason for dismissal. Any incident that occurs should be reported to Sensei immediately.
    
    
17. If injured, it is recommended that you still come to the dojo and learn by observing training.
    
    
18. You should advise Sensei if you have to temporarily discontinue your training.