- What should I wear?
- How physical is the workout?
- What should I expect if I studied a different martial art previously?
- Your classes have an opening/closing ceremony, is it a form of religion?
- What if I have an injury or health condition that affects my physical capability?
- Is training dangerous? Is there free sparring?
What should I wear?
All you need is comfortable, athletic clothing. Sweats, joggers, yoga pants, etc are all good options, as are t-shirts and tank tops. After a few weeks, if you are committed to further training we can help you order a Karatedo Doshinkan gi which will come with the emblem correctly positioned on the jacket and a white belt.
How physical is the workout?
Some classes are more physically demanding than others and the workout can always be modified by each individual according to their capability. We encourage each person to try their personal best and do not create competitive pressure with other members. That said, typical classes will have short periods of time with elevated heart rate, should generate perspiration, and will likely result in some sore muscles. Training with a group tends to elevate individual efforts in a healthy way.
What should I expect if I studied a different martial art previously?
You will certainly find similarities and differences in technique and process. This is a good opportunity to practice an open mind and consider why the techniques/processes are different. Techniques in various systems were designed with different priorities in mind: points in competition, speed, showmanship, survival, and long term health are a few examples. In this way, both style’s techniques can be correct for their intended applications and certainly there is more than one way to be effective. Our techniques have been designed with survival effectiveness and longevity in mind. Overall, our training has application to attitude and life, known as “way of the heart.” This also guides our techniques and processes.
We don’t criticize other martial art schools or their techniques. Students from other schools with an open mind often pick up movement faster than other new students and often bring valuable experiences and knowledge with them. While rank does not follow a student to Karatedo Doshinkan automatically, they may progress more quickly in rank if their experience was high quality and they possess a learning mindset. On another note, if a person is too preoccupied with rank, they have missed or not yet discovered the essence of our training.
Your classes have an opening/closing ceremony, is it a form of religion?
Karatedo Doshinkan is not a religion and has members from many different religious backgrounds, from all around the world. We respect all people’s personal beliefs. The ceremonies help Karatedo students prepare their focus and intentionally connect their mind, body, and spirit to get the most out of classes. A bow is not so much a worship, as it is an outward signal of one’s commitment and intention to put forth their best energy.
What if I have an injury or health condition that affects my physical capability?
This is no problem, in fact, training should serve to improve your overall condition and prevent future injuries and health ailments. Let the dojo leader know what physical limitations you have and they will help you learn to modify various movements so you can continue to participate within your body’s capability. Members have continued to train with knee problems, sight impairment, and in wheelchairs. Every member can adapt movements to provide them with the most beneficial outcome or work on something different if there is no analogous movement. One longtime member came to classes with ski poles to assist with balance as he progressed with a degenerative nerve disorder. Asked about it he responded, “I want to keep moving in whatever way I can for as long as possible.”
Is training dangerous?
Is there free sparring?
As mentioned above, Karatedo Doshinkan is greatly concerned with health. As such, movements are designed to avoid and prevent injury. To learn technique, application, timing, and distancing, partner experiences are used. However, those experiences are carefully designed to build capacity and are adapted to the capability of each participant in order to eliminate risk of injury.
We do not engage in free sparring. Free sparring is fast paced and can certainly build application skill. However, it is also likely to result in injury and in some cases may take away from the development of character that is central to traditional Karatedo training. Furthermore, free sparring is often designed to improve one’s ability to earn points and win in contests according to rules. Life does not not involve points and rules.
Traditional Karatedo often differentiates between the word “karate” and “karatedo.” Where karate is roughly translated as empty hand style, adding the “-do” portion alters the meaning to address how we approach life. It is our belief that life should not be about points and winning, but about refining our path to enjoy peace, happiness, good health, and the exchange of good energy with others. This will reduce much of the pain, suffering, and danger associated with conflict. Partner training in Karatedo develops technical skill in ways that also help us better understand and apply “-do.”