Dojo Rules | Shotokan Karate | Kokoro Karate Dojo

Dojo Rules

Dojo Kun

Karate the Discipline

Karate is a discipline steeped in tradition.

At the heart of Shotokan Karate are the “five Dojo Kun” (training hall rules) which are the guiding principles for all karateka from beginners to black belts to use to improve not only their physical karate skills but also their character and attitude towards training.

In addition, the following “Dojo Rules” are laid down to provide a safe environment for training and to help all inside the dojo to further develop discipline, humility, compassion, patience and above all respect for yourself as well as others.

Karate seeks to perfect the characters of its participants, so please familiarise yourself with all of our dojo rules as we encourage students, spectators and teachers to abide by them when inside the dojo.

DOJO RULES for STUDENTS

MIND 心 ....

1) If you need to be excused from the class then raise your hand and ask permission from your instructor and always make sure you walk behind them and the other students.
2) Address your instructor as “sensei” (teacher) every time you speak to them .
3) Do not talk during class unless permission is granted, this is to ensure that your teachers instructions can be heard clearly at all times by everyone.
4) Never use the skills you have been taught against any persons, except for the defence of yourself, your family or friends in the instance of extreme danger or unprovoked attack, or in support of law and order.
5) All mobile phones must be turned off or switched to silent.
6) Eating is not permitted inside the dojo so please do not bring any type of food

BODY 体 ....

1) Keep your finger nails and toe nails clean and short.
2) Remove all jewellery including piercings before coming to the dojo.
3) Always wear a clean and ironed karate gi (uniform), have pride in your appearance and that of your club.
4) For modesty reasons females of all ages should wear comfortable athletic wear under their karate gi
5) Always give your best efforts during class and be concerned with always correcting and improving even the most simple of techniques.

SPIRIT 神 ....

1) Always be respectful to others inside and outside of the dojo (training hall).
2) Always be punctual; if you are late and the class has started kneel at the entrance and wait to be invited to join the class.
3) Rei (bow) to the centre of the dojo before you enter or leave.
4) When moving around the dojo always move with purpose and never just saunter around.
5) Uphold the true spirit of karate.
6) There is no first attack in karate.
7) Karate training requires a lifetime, remember the minimum timeframe from beginner to 10th dan black belt is 58 years.
8) Do not think of winning and being better than others; you must think of not losing and being the best version of yourself.
9) Genuine karate is like boiling water, it cools down if you don’t keep heating it.
10) Always behave with sincerity and honour the dojo code (see Dojo Kun below).
11) All techniques and combinations of techniques learned in class and at gradings, also know as the “Kokoro Karate Dojo Syllabus”, are the intellectual property of your founder and chief Instructor and Kokoro Karate Dojo. It is strictly forbidden that the syllabus is copied, reproduced and or published in any way, whether in part, in whole, in digital or in analogue formats including distribution by any means for example by WhatsApp, online, on social media platforms or by paper. Please respect your dojo and refrain from attempting to distribute any parts of our syllabus as those karate ingredients and how we apply them at Kokoro Karate Dojo make our specific style of shotokan karate highly dynamic and hugely effective which is unique to our dojo and its members. Our syllabus was handed down to and placed in the custody of your Founder and Chief Instructor, Timothy Wood, by his sensei who received the previous versions handed down to them by their sensei before them. Each time being evolved and improved for the sake of increased effectiveness and purpose.

DOJO RULES for SPECTATORS

1) You must remain seated
2) Please refrain from talking to each other or to any of the students when the class is in progress, all participants including the instructors require high levels of concentration for the entire duration of the class. This will help to provide a safe and respectful training environment
3) Spectators and students must not take photographs or videos inside the dojo (training hall)
4) All mobile phones must be turned off or switched to silent
5) Eating is not permitted inside the dojo so please do not bring any type of food

Hot Weather Training

When the temperature is 27°C or above we have an OPTIONAL relaxing of our uniform requirements:

Option A

You can sweat it out with me and train in your full karate gi

Option B

You can train in just your karate gi trousers with a plain unbranded tee shirt but you must wear your belt too

Option C

You can train wearing plain unbranded shorts and a plain unbranded tee shirt but you must wear your belt too

It is absolutely essential that you bring plenty of water to drink. We will be allowing more drink breaks than usual.

During hot weather training we will allow those students who wish to exert themselves less than usual to do so without reprisal but you will be expected to be refining your technique.

Control + Relax + Focus + Discipline + Concentrate

Control your thoughts and emotions, never be angry
Relax and you will move so much more quickly than if you are tense and much more of your powerful mind will be readily available
Focus strongly and employ your techniques accurately, efficiently, effectively and always to the best of your own ability
Discipline yourself to remember the five dojo kun and act accordingly at all times
Concentrate on even the smallest of movements that you make and you will become an efficient and highly dynamic karateka