Blog

Dojo Ettiquette

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:17:00 -0400

It has been coming more apparent of late that Dojo ettiquette is beginning to wane

Dojo means '"Place or Way of training" and is should be considered a special place where you have the priveledge to come and learn and Art that has been passed down through the generations from one Sensei to the next.

Respect to fellow karate-ka, seniors and your Sensei is of most importance as it is through these people that you will learn the art of Karate. It is your Sensei that make decisions in your training that will keep you safe in class and that your technique is done in the correct manner. It is these people that have the experience that they have learnt through their own years of blood, sweat and tears that you will learn the correct techniques and defence in your training.

Remember this is your Dojo and we should treat it with respect and maintain good ettiquette, otherwise any sense of order will go out the window.

Leave your ego at the door.
Remove your shoes.
Bow upon entry to Shomen.
Pressed clean Gi.
Remove all jewellery.
Others may be training so no loud destracting noises or playing and running is allowed.
Address all instuctors as Sensei or Shihan if required and bow
Senior leaders should be addressed as Sempai.
Be an example to others and remind them politely of their responsibilities.
Be on time.
If late ,wait to be acknowleged by your Sensei before entering the mat.
Always give 100 per cent, remember you are constantly being assessed.
Bow and repect your partners in training ,this sets up a mutual respect and sets the tone of the training.
Keep the Dojo clean, pick up any rubbish, remind others to do the same.

Remember you are part of a club and you have to earn your place and respect within that club

Rick Sensei

Tassie Grading

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:34:00 -0500

Just on my way home from doing a graging at the KBI dojo in Railton , Tasmania.

A great group of students put in a tremendous effort for their belt and their sensei Renee can be very proud of them and herself. A beautiful community and a very warm and welcoming community. I look forward to returning at a future date.

Rick Sensei

2009

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:59:00 -0500

Another year down and a very exciting year ahead.

2009 finished with a fantastic Black Belt Grading held over 2 days and some very exhausted and happy new Shodans . I have to say that they were some of the most prepared candidates I have seen for some time and it showed in their grading.

We also saw the formation of a new Dojo in Tasmania run by Sensei Renee Schaller.

2010 is going to see the KBI Worlds held in Noosa and it will take plenty of preparation and we are looking forward to hosting the rest of the KBI world in our town.

Rick Sensei

Speed

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:22:55 -0500

Definately something to think about when practicing Budo ! Speed can be good when in combat, but for the most part speed in practice and in life detracts from the meaning of the exercise or the meaning of existance. Often, we have students arrive into the martial arts and they want to know how long it will take to obtain a black belt. Their minds are focused on the time not on the experience or the knowledge.

Or, students show up to class and hurry through the lesson not slowing down enough to appreciate the inner essence of the learning. First things first. If you want to learn Budo, really learn Budo, you must slow down. You must calm down and focus. You must slow down in order to let Budo connect to your soul. If you can do this then your Budo lessons will stay with you for your entire life. If you can't then they will disappear into the fog of meaningless activity.

Shihan Jeffrey Henderson

India 2008

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:50:39 -0500

A team of KBI students including myself have just been to India for the KBI World Championships which has left us with memories that will be with us for a long time to come.

Australia had a very successful championship with almost everyone coming home with some bling. The people of Mumbai were wonderful and made us feel more than welcome and will forever hold a special place in our hearts,

The next KBI worlds will be in Noosa , Australia in 2010 and we will welcome all KBI students,

See you then.

Rick

Black Belt Gashaku 2008

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:39:03 -0400

The 2008 Black Belt camp is over for another year with only some sore and tired bodies to remind us of the times we had. It was great to see so many young ones attending the camp and to learn for the first time the Kama and the kata Chinte. As usual on the last bow out of the camp the waves came crashing in to wet a few heads. New friends were made from Sydney and it is from these camps that fond memories will be carried with us as life continues. It reminds us that we all share a common bond as a karateka and are part of a worldwide family of martial artists .

Till next year

Sensei Rick

Meditation Step 1

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:58:46 -0500

Hi guys just putting down some steps to meditating and what you should experience in each step.
It would be good to hear any other people's experiences, and visualisations they use to help them meditate.

1. Experience of recognising thoughts
As one tries to place mind on the object of meditation, a continuous stream of thought will arise as a reaction, which cannot, estimated by one's gross mind. Actually one's mind is burdened with such thoughts all the time, but since one never closely placed the mind in meditation they were not noticed previously. Having made the effort to do so the mind in meditation has become aware of these thoughts which previously seemed non existent. Not knowing this to be so, the mediator will be discouraged to notice so many thoughts disturbing this meditation. This however, is the first and most important experience of meditation, which is similar to watching water falling off a steep mountain.
Rick Sensei