About Karate
Here is a guide of a Karate Class from start to finish:
Karate training always starts and ends with respect
The Sensei (instructor) calls the students seruchi (form a line or to the front),
- This is then followed by a command heisoku dachi ( feet together and hands to the side ), followed by a command seiza ( kneeling bow ),
- The senior student says mokuso (eyes closed and breathing meditation), then mokuso yame (eyes open),
- The senior student gives the following commands:
- shomen ni rei ( respect or bow to the front or where audience of people held in high regard ),
- otaigai ni rei (respect or bow to each other),
- sempai ni rei (respect to the senior student/s),
- sensei ni rei (respect or bow to the instructor),
- then the sensei says tati ni (stand up), then back to heisoku dachi.
Warm up.
Every student need to warm-up or heat their body temperature and to increase the heart rate and heat the muscle before doing the stretching Warm up must be done and there is to be no excuse whatsoever. Warm up is then followed by stretching.
Kihon
After stretching the class performs kihon (basics), which we usually perform starting with the uke ( blocking ) technique, the reason for starting with a block is that every student starting the karate class is being taught to block or defend themselves instead of hitting others, better still as the students progress in karate these blocks becomes strikes as well.
The dachi (stance) usually follows. Dachi is essential for balancing and correct form. It is then Then followed by the punching techniques, blocks and punching combination and kicks (or the advanced techniques) depending upon the progress of the students. As the student advances in karate, they also learn kata (formal exercise) every student should learn, memorise and understand the meaning of their kata. The first kata that a student should learn is the kihon kata ( basic kata ), it consists of twenty steps with the very basic techniques such as; blocks and punches.
Breaks
There is always an interval break/s given to the students for drinking water and to relax. It is essential that students bring with them a bottle of water.
While in the training any call of nature is permitted at all times, just ask the sensei for you to be excused.
Training End
Before the training ends, the sensei calls for a seiza. It is the same procedure as before the class started except for the dojo kun ( moral codes ) which we all recite before the training is dismissed. Dojo kun is first pronounced by the senior student then all the rest repeats after him with one-loud voice ( this is done in the mokuso manner ).
Dojo Kun:
“Seek perfection of character
Be faithful
Endeavour
Respect others
Refrain from violent behaviour”
When the seiza is over, then the sensei calls for a tati ni, then he announce that the class is over.
The following are the terms that we have to get familiar with:
KSKC – Kerry Shotokan Karate Club
Tsuki – Punches
Choku –Zsuki – Straight Punch
Oi-Zsuki – Stepping Punch
Gyaku-Zsuki – Reverse Punch
Sanbon-Zsuki – 3 Punches
Kizami-Zsuki – Snapping Punch
Uke -Blocks
Soto-Uke – Outside Block
Age-Uke – Rising block
Uchi-Uke – Inside Block
Gedai-barai – Downward Block/sweep
Shuto-Uke – Knife-Hand Block
Dachi – Stances
Zenkutsu-Dachi – Front Stance
Kiba-Dachi – Horse Stance
Kokutsu-Dachi – Back Stance
Heisoku-Dachi – Feet-Together Attention Stance
Musubi-Dachi – Heels together (Bowing Stance)
Heiko-Dachi – Natural Stance (Yoi Position)
General terms
Sensei – Instructor / teacher
Sempai – Advanced Student
Shihan – Master
Dojo – Training Hall
Kihon – Basic
Kata – Formal Exercise
Kumite – Sparring
Migi – Right
Hidari – Left
Jodan – Head Level
Chudan – Middle Level (chest)
“Remember to learn every minute of training and learn to treasure every minute of every day”
Sensei Charles Neri!
