ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS

Last Updated: March 20 2023 13:50:35.

Chief Instructor

SENSEI KEN LARKMAN is the chief instructor for our dojo (karate school). He is also the owner and sole operator of the karare school. He teaches pretty much all the classes.

LARKMAN SENSEI is an internationally published freelancer writer who has been training traditional martial arts since 1977. He has been teaching traditional karate since 1988.

Shōrin-ryū (少林流) RANKS & BELT COLOURS

Last Updated: May 23 2023 15:47:46.

Shōrin-ryū (少林流) KATA (FORMAL EXERCISES)

Last Updated: May 23 2023 15:47:24.

KARATE SCHOOL EVENTS CALENDAR

Last Updated: June 03 2023 22:20:46.

• June Belt Test - Saturday, June 10 at 1pm
• Closure - Civic Holiday - Wednesday, June 21
• Closure - Summer break - Wednesday, June 28 to Tuesday, July 4
• Closure - Civic Holiday - Monday, August 7
• Closure - Civic Holiday - Saturday, September 30
• Closure - Civic Holiday - Monday, October 9
• Closure - Holiday Closure - Monday, December 25 to January 1

KARATE SCHOOL RULES

Last Updated: June 03 2023 22:20:46

1. The martial arts begin and end with courtesy.
2. Upon entering or leaving the dojo, show respect with a bow (rei). When entering an Okinawan-based dojo, say "onegai-shimasu" (please provide to me) respectfully and clearly. When leaving, say "domo arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much) as a sign of appreciation.
3. Upon entering or leaving the dojo make sure you acknowledge the teacher who will always be addressed as "sensei" ('teacher', or, one who has gone before).
4. Always be courteous and polite to your teachers, seniors and especially to your elders.
5. Do not consume alcoholic, or intoxicating substances before class.
6. For proper training, your body and your training clothes are to be kept clean and neat. Your fingernails and toenails are to be kept short to prevent unnecessary injuries. Do not wear jewelry or other ornaments (watches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.) in the dojo while training. This is to prevent damage to the items and potential injury to self and others.
7. Refrain from engaging other students in idle talking and make the best use of the time given for your class.
8. If observing dojo training, sit in the correct way and do not stretch your legs out. Keep your hands in your lap.
9. When the instructor calls for training to begin, line up correctly and quickly, facing the shomen (front) area as required.
10. Perform the proper warming up exercises proper to training even if one is training alone.
11. If the teacher is not present, the senior-most student will start the class when it is time to begin.
12. While in the dojo, listen carefully and seriously to the advice and instructions given to you. This is how one progresses.
13. When late for class, always ask permission to enter or wait for acknowledgment to enter.
14. Never leave the class for a break*, water, or early dismissal, without prior permission from the instructor. (*Unless it is an actual emergency.)
15. Do not use the training equipment unless authorized by the instructor.
16. Sparring is not allowed without permission from the instructor.
17. There will be no food or drink, or gum chewing allowed in the dojo training area. There will also be no loud talking or laughing while class is in session. There will be no profanity in the dojo at any time.
18. During the training session, students must work with a serious attitude and complete concentration. Laughing, talking, or interrupting training with questions, cannot be permitted except with permission of the sensei. Silence and seriousness are two rules which must be followed if a high level of training is to be maintained.
19. Students should bow to each other before and after each practice.
20. Never lean on the walls or lay spread on the floor. Students must either stand, sit, or kneel.
21. Prior to the end of training, all students should do closing exercises together.
22. At the end of training, the senior-most student will call the class to face the shomen. He/She will announce, "Shomen-ni rei." (Bow toward the front.) and "Sensei-ni rei." (Bow toward the teacher.) so students can bow accordingly.
23. Do not forget to thank those who have helped you or those who have given some advice on karate.
24. The seniority system states that no student should go directly to the sensei with questions without first attempting to obtain the answers from the lower or senior students. If you are a White belt, then you should ask a Green belt, etc. Each student should, however, make every endeavor to learn the answer to his or her questions by continued practice and observation of other students. If a problem can be solved by a student in this way, the answer will become permanent knowledge. The sensei are consulted only as a final resort.
25. If injured, it is recommended that you still come to the dojo to at least observe training. One can still learn from observing.
26. Each student must report to the sensei when they temporarily discontinue their training.