Your Karate Journey

In the following passages we give a short overview about what to expect at your Karate  journey. We also give some basic Insight into our training system, karate-do and karate practice together with some useful hints and information for prospective students.

Some beginners are quite nervous to start Karate: Am I fit enough? Will I get hurt? Will I embarrass myself? First, we will determine your level of fitness and we will make sure that you do not over-exert yourself. Second, while Karate (like all martial arts and sports) carries the risk of injury, we will take every precaution to keep you safe. Third, no student should feel embarrassed - we were all beginners once!

What should I expect at my first lesson?

Some aspects of Karate training may seem a little strange on first encounter - people kneeling and bowing; wearing white uniforms with colored belts; students calling instructors Sensei and saying Oss! - but these are the characteristics that separate Karate as a martial art from combat sports like boxing and MMA. Master Funakoshi (widely acknowledged as the father of modern Karate) once said that the ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants. By this he meant that Karate practitioners should not rely on technique alone - striking, kicking and blocking - but must also nurture the spiritual and cultural aspects of the art.

Of course, beginners are not expected to be familiar with Japanese culture, language or martial arts protocols. In this regard, the best advice is to simply follow along with what everyone else is doing and to ask your instructor if you are unsure. That said, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Karate practise begins and ends with Rei, which simply means respect. In Japanese culture, respect is demonstrated by bowing, in a similar way to Westerners shaking hands. Bows can be performed from Seiza (kneeling) or Musubi-dachi (standing) position - the former is usually reserved for the ceremonial opening and closing of the lesson, while the latter is typically used when greeting a new training partner.
• Karate instructors are called Sensei, which simply means the one who went before - that is just to say that they learned Karate before you did. Karate students acknowledge their Sensei's instructions by saying Oss! There is actually no literal translation for Oss! - probably the closest approximation in Western culture is the Hooah! acknowledgement sometimes used in the military, which means anything and everything except no.
• There is no need for you to wear a Gi (Karate uniform) to your first lesson - track pants and a t-shirt are quite appropriate. Please remove your shoes before walking onto the training floor to avoid tracking in dirt from outside. Please do not wear any jewelry or watches, as they could be broken or even cause injury during training. Please bring along a drink bottle, as you will be given occasional drink breaks.

Shotokan Karate training comprises three core elements:

• Kihon - Basics, characterized by deep stances that provide a platform for powerful strikes, kicks and blocks. Techniques are developed through a holistic approach to building core strength, speed, flexibility, fitness and coordination.
• Kata - Forms drawn from the arsenal of Kihon, in essence representing a fight with an imaginary opponent. The SKIF syllabus includes 26 Kata, the first of which is Heian Shodan. Kata practise develops agility, balance, control, timing and correct breathing.
• Kumite - Sparring with a partner to develop fighting spirit and an understanding of distance, angles, awareness and self-defence principles. Kumite is introduced in a gradual and controlled manner, starting with simple Gohon Kumite (five-step sparring) and progressing through another three levels before the pinnacle of Jiyu Kumite (free-fighting) is reached. You will only advance to the next level of Kumite when your instructor believes it is safe for you to do so.

Below is an overview of our Shotokan karate belt system together with training details.

As students progress their belt color changes, reflecting an increasing level of proficiency across the various elements of Karate. SKIF has the following belt system:

Belt	Rank	Training Syllabus
	10th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Shodan (first basic Kata) Gohon Kumite (five-step Kumite)
	9th Kyu	Basic Kihon  Heian Shodan (first basic Kata) Gohon Kumite (five-step Kumite)
	8th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Nidan (second basic Kata) Sanbon Kumite (three-step Kumite)
	7th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Sandan (third basic Kata) Sanbon Kumite (three-step Kumite)
	6th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Yondan (fourth basic Kata) Kihon-Ippon Kumite (basic one-step Kumite)
	5th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Godan (fifth basic Kata) Kihon-Ippon Kumite (basic one-step Kumite)
	4th Kyu	Basic Kihon Tekki Shodan (first advanced Kata) Kihon-Ippon Kumite (basic one-step Kumite)
	3rd Kyu	Advanced Kihon Tekki Shodan, Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Empi (brown belt Kata) Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (advanced one-step Kumite)
	2nd Kyu	Advanced Kihon Tekki Shodan, Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Empi (brown belt Kata) Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (advanced one-step Kumite)
	1st Kyu	Advanced Kihon Tekki Shodan, Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Empi (brown belt Kata) Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (advanced one-step Kumite)
	1st Dan	Advanced Kihon Jitte, Tekki Nidan, Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, Hangetsu, Gankaku (black belt Kata) Jiyu Kumite (free-fighting)
	2nd Dan	Advanced Kihon Tekki Sandan, Sochin, Ji'in, Chinte, Nijushiho (black belt Kata) Jiyu Kumite (free-fighting)
	3rd Dan	Impromptu Kihon and Kumite Meikyo, Unsu, Wankan, Gojushiho-dai, Gojushiho-sho (black belt Kata)
	4th Dan and beyond	Impromptu Kihon and Kumite Additional Kata, including Seienchin, Seipai, Gankaku-sho and Nijuhachiho

Note that all Dan Gradings are conducted by SKIF accredited examiners and are recognised by SKIF affiliates worldwide.