Karate as taught by The Japan Karate Association consists of three core elements: kihon, kata and kumite. A typical lesson will incorporate one or all of these, along with other exercises designed to improve technique and increase overall fitness.
Karate is performed barefoot. Please visit the bathroom before the lesson is due to start and remove all jewellery. You should also ensure your fingernails and toenails are clipped short.
At the start of class
Classes start promptly. The instructor will call for everybody to line up. At Shiranamikai, we line up in one row, facing the instructor, with beginners at the far left and closest to the entrance. The most senior grade present will call out the following:
Seiza! Kneel down
Mokuso! Close your eyes. Clear your mind, relax your breathing
Mokuso yame! Open your eyes
Shomen ni rei! Bow to the front
Sensei ni rei! Bow to the instructor
Otagai ni rei! Bow to each other
At the end of class
We line up formally again, kneel down as we did at the beginning of the class, then recite the dojo kun (code of conduct for students attending the training hall). The dojo kun consists of five precepts, all of equal importance:
Hitotsu! Jinkaku Kansei ni tsutomuru koto! Seek perfection of character
Hitotsu! Makoto no michi o mamoru koto! Be faithful
Hitotsu! Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto! Endeavour
Hitotsu! Reigi o omonzuru koto! Respect others
Hitotsu! Kekki no yu o imashimuru koto! Refrain from violent behaviour
Warm-up and stretch
A lesson typically starts with warm-up exercises and stretching. This gets your body prepared for the physical demands of the class itself, and improves muscle elasticity and coordination.
Cool down
Before finishing, we take a few minutes to exercise at a slightly lower intensity rather than stop abruptly. It is better for the body to let its breathing, heart rate and temperature gradually return to normal levels.
There are three core elements to each class: kihon, kata and kumite
Kihon waza
Fundamental techniques. These are the building blocks for karate and encompass stances, blocks, and strikes with the hands and feet.
Kata
Forms. A kata is a sequence of techniques that we study to learn correct movement, accurate body positions and different kinds of karate power and transition. Katas contain all the karate fundamentals and can be practised anywhere. There are 26 different katas in the Shotokan style to be understood as well as learned. Students will focus on a different kata at each grade level from beginner up to brown belt (3rd Kyu).
Kumite
Partner work. This ranges from controlled preset combinations, through to free attack and defence sparring for senior grades. In the dojo, kumite is always practised with control.
Terminology
We say OSS! a lot; as a karate greeting, to acknowledge instructions and when we bow to each other.
Instructions are given in English but you will hear Japanese terminology used for the different techniques.
Schlatt’s Shotokan Karate Dictionary is an excellent reference guide to general terms. But don’t worry about getting to grips with them straight away – you’ll gain familiarity with them over time.
Special events
We regularly host special training sessions with senior guest instructors and encourage all members to attend whenever possible. But we like to have some fun outside of the lessons too!
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