Frequently Asked Questions

First, welcome to the dojo!

1. If not in gi uniform or athletic wear, please use the bathrooms next to the dojo entrance to change.
2. When entering the dojo, please sign in at the front desk using the laptop.
3. To your right will be the training area marked by the gray floor. Please look to the far end of the room towards the photographs of senseis and give a short, respectful bow.
4. Please remove your shoes, socks, jewelry, and piercings before entering the training area.

Then you are free to socialize or begin your warm-ups on the training area floor.

All Students:

• It is courteous to ensure you are showered before attending class.
• Place importance on finger and toenail hygiene as students will be making contact with each other during class.
• Long hair should be tied up, and any jewelry and piercings should be removed before the class begins.
• Please bring a bottle of water or refillable vessel.

New Students: Please come dressed in modest athletic attire.

Returning Students: Please bring your gi and belt and use the nearby restrooms to change into uniform.

We are glad you are eager to progress, but please take note: asking a sensei or instructor when you will receive a new belt is considered disrespectful because it shifts the focus from learning and self-improvement to entitlement and rank chasing.

Why is this disrespectful?

• Implies the Sensei is Unaware or Careless
• Shows a Lack of Humility
• Prioritizes Ego over Technique
• Shows Lack of Trust in the Teacher
• Rushes the Process of Growth

Our senseis are happy to provide feedback regarding areas of improvement and where more attention and focus is needed.

Yes. We undergo kata training every session, typically splitting into groups by experience.

Yes, we have comprehensive training for traditional weapons including:

• Bo staff - The Okinawan Bo staff is a traditional 6-foot wooden staff used in Kobudo and Karate for striking, blocking, and thrusting.
• Nunchucks (nunchaku) - Okinawan nunchaku are traditional martial arts weapons consisting of two wooden sticks (roughly one foot each) connected by a cord or chain, originating as farming tools or, potentially, Chinese weapons.
• Tonfa - The Okinawan tonfa is a traditional Okinawan Kobudo and Karate weapon, traditionally crafted from wood and derived from a farm tool used for grinding grain, it features a side handle and a shaft that aligns with the forearm.
• Sai - The Okinawan sai is a traditional, trident-shaped, non-edged metal weapon often used in Okinawan kobudo and karate.

1. Bowing: A sign of respect that is not just reserved for instructors. When training alongside other students, it is expected that you show respect regardless of rank relative to yours.
2. Punctuality: Showing up early and physically prepared signifies dedication and respect.
3. Focus: Students should remain focused and quiet while an instructor or higher ranking student is speaking or demonstrating. We do encourage inquiries and curiosity during training as long as it is not impacting the overall flow of class.
4. Hygiene: Training requires close contact with other students and equipment. Please ensure all parts of the body - especially the hands and feet - are clean. Trimmed fingernails and toenails are especially important to reduce likelihood of injury.
5. Safety: Training often includes partner drills. Keep in mind the overall size, sex, and rank of the student you are training with. Use common sense to determine the speed and force of your contact. If unsure or uncomfortable, it is extremely important to communicate with your drill partner or lead instructor.

We count in old-style Japanese when doing warm ups and other training. Some numbers may be different from what you might have learned in a modern Japanese language course.

1. Ichi
2. Ni
3. San
4. Shi
5. Go
6. Roku
7. Shichi
8. Hachi
9. Kyū
10. Jū

We are happy to answer questions like this in class. If outside class, please refer to the dictionary.