RULES OF THE DOJO

1. All students must bow when entering & leaving the dojo. A bow is performed from the waist, not just a nod of the head.
   
   
2. Correct respect must be shown to the Sensei and any other instructors.
   
   
3. All fellow karate-ka should be shown respect, regardless of age or grade.
   
   
4. Punctuality is essential, anyone arriving late should kneel at the side of the dojo until invited to join by the instructor.
   
   
5. It is permitted to stretch or practise your karate moves in the dojo before the lesson starts, however no games or tomfoolery is permitted.
   
   
6. Mobile phones are to be switched off in the dojo.
   
   
7. Loud talking or noise is not permitted by spectators during lessons.
   
   
8. No talking by students, unless spoken to by an instructor is permitted
   
   
9. No smoking, eating or drinking in the dojo is permitted.
   
   
10. Clean karate suits and good personal hygiene must be observed.
    
    
11. No watches, rings, jewellery or other personal adornments should be worn during lessons.
    
    
12. Toenails and fingernails should be kept clean and short.
    
    
13. No abusive or threatening language is permitted in the dojo.
    
    

Female students may wear a plain white vest or T shirt under their Gi’s

Master Funakoshi’s 20 precepts Of Karate

1. Karate wa rei ni hajimari rei ni owaru koto o wasureru na.
   (Never forget karate begins and end with rei. Rei has the meaning of courtesy and respect).
   
   
2. Karate ni sente nashi. (There is no first attack in karate).
   
   
3. Karate wa gi no tasuke. (Karate supports righteousness).
   
   
4. Mazu jiko o shire shikoshite hoka o shire.
   (First understand yourself, then understand others).
   
   
5. Gijutsu yori shinjutsu. (The art of mind is more important than the art of technique).
   
   
6. Kokoro wa hanatan koto o yosu. (The mind needs to be freed).
   
   
7. Wazawai wa ketai ni shozu. (Trouble is born of negligence).
   
   
8. Dojo nami no Karate to omou na. (Do not think karate is only in the dojo).
   
   
9. Karate no shugyo wa issho dearu. (The training of karate requires a lifetime).
   
   
10. Arayuru mono o karateka se soko ni myomi ari.
    (Transform everything into karate; there lies the exquisiteness).
    
    
11. Karate wa yu no gotoku taezu netsu o ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru.
    (Genuine karate is like hot water; it cools down if you do not keep heating it).
    
    
12. Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyuo.
    (Do not have the idea of winning, while the idea of losing is not necessary).
    
    
13. Teki ni yotte tenka seyo. (Transform yourself according to the opponent).
    
    
14. Ikusa wa kyojitsu no soju ikan ni ari. (The outcome of the fight all depends on manoeuvre).
    
    
15. Hito no teashi o ken to omoe. (Imagine one’s arms and legs as swords).
    
    
16. Danshi mon o izureba hyakuman no teki ari.
    (once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies).
    
    
17. Kamae wa shoshinsha ni, ato wa shizentai.
    (Postures are for the beginner; later they are natural positions).
    
    
18. Kata wa tadashiku , jissen wa betsumoso.
    (Do the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter).
    
    
19. Chikara no kyojaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyo o wasureru na.
    (Do not forget the control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of body and the speed of technique).
    
    
20. Tsune ni shinenkofu seyo.
    (Always be good to the application of everything you have learned).