Welcome!

Thank you for attending our introduction to Kyokushin Karate series. We’re excited to have you here!

• Syllabus/Curriculum - All Kyokushin dojos have requirements for kihon, which are separate, fundamental techniques, kata, which is a collection of choreographed sets of techniques, and kumite, which is sparring. In addition, our dojo also likes to focus on some additional core components such as ukemi, which are breakfalls, and goshin-jutsu, or self-defense.

• Class Registration/Unregistration - We’re lucky and grateful to be able to offer this class on a volunteer basis through our partnership with the Parks & Recreation Department. And it’s been popular! One class filled up with a waitlist in 20 minutes since registration. But, sometimes people find that karate is not for them, and that’s OK. We kindly ask that people who decide they’re no longer interested release their registration so that other waiting students can attend.

• Gear - Since Kyokushin Karate is a martial art that features contact sparring, there is some gear that is required. Primarily a dogi, also called a keikogi, which is the uniform, and sparring gear, which includes boxing gloves and shin and instep guards. Helmets are also required for children. Cups and mouth guards are optional. Since we cannot sell gear directly to our students, please talk to sensei for recommendations. While requirements for the uniform are fairly strict, the sparring gear, so long as it serves the purpose, can be of any brand, and we encourage students to shop around to find a solution that meets their budget and needs. More on what’s required can be found here. Since these items are required for some of the class curriculum, we do ask that students prioritize obtaining them so as to not slow down the class curriculum. Since sparring is a requirement of testing for the next rank, a lack of sparring gear can contribute to a lack of opportunities to promote to the next rank.

• Rank - Like many karate schools, as students get better and develop mastery over the core curriculum, there will be opportunities to test for the next rank. Unlike many karate styles, Kyokushin does not promote as quickly, and our school is no exception. It is not rare for students to wait a year or more in between opportunities for their next rank. We kindly ask students to be mindful of etiquette and not ask for their next rank. It is the sensei’s job to determine when a testing will be held and who is ready. For questions on what you need to know and be proficient in for the next rank, we direct you to our rank syllabus.

• Language - Since the Japanese language is the lingua franca of karate, all of our techniques are named in Japanese. There are also a number of formalities that are expressed in Japanese as well. While students aren’t expected to know all of these from day one, it is the expectation that they will become accustomed to knowing what they mean and able to respond to them accordingly.

• Etiquette - Every karate dojo has its own system of etiquette, some parts vary by style and some parts vary by school. In addition to this, there is a structured system of of etiquette based on seniority that is relatively universal in Kyokushin dojos, and students are slowly taught this over time as well.