A Typical Beginning Class
What to Expect in a Typical Class Session
Every class is unique depending on the immediate focus, but it may be helpful for beginners to have some idea of what they can expect. The image below contains a poem from a Japanese Tea Master and exemplifies the nature of learning karatedo.
Anatomy of a Beginning Karatedo Doshinkan Class
Arrival: members arrive, greet one another, and prepare for class to begin. Students who are just starting out may wear comfortable clothing such as sweats or yoga wear. Once students have committed to ongoing training, they will obtain and wear the traditional uniform, or gi. We generally train barefoot, although members who have medical issues with their feet sometimes wear a minimal shoe or tight fitting grippy sock. Bare feet provide the best connection to the floor for balance and pivoting.
Opening Ceremony: class begins with a brief opening ceremony. This separates the class session from the busy-ness of daily life. It allows students and teacher alike to prepare their energy, focus, and intentions for learning.
Warm Ups: a variety of warm ups are used to get the body prepared for movement. This increases the healthful benefits of class and reduces the probability of injury. Each person's body has different limits and warm ups are done in a way that allows for varying levels of intensity. There is no comparison between students, but instead an expectation that every student puts forth their best effort and exertion. Some warm ups will involve stretching, some will increase heart rate and circulation, and some will cause the body to move in ways that allow joints to become more free. Many warm up movements will also begin to develop muscle memory that align with karatedo techniques that have later consequences for application.
Basic Drills: step by step teaching of basic techniques will be taught. These will include common stances, common blocks, and common counterattacks. These will help students build some automaticity. At first, it takes full focus to complete each of these techniques. With time, each technique becomes a natural part of the student's toolbox. From the first beginning class through the ten thousandth class, additional techniques or novel combinations of techniques will be introduced and explored keeping training interesting and challenging for all.
Partner Training: some partner excercises help one another stretch or better visualize the application of basic techniques. For example, a partner can help us test our balance in stances or provide appropriate resistance to help us learn how to propel ourselves forward with our center, legs and hips. This type of partner training is not aggressive and does not involve any combat style contact. Many new students are afraid of karatedo training, expecting some of the stereotypical, Hollywood examples of karate sparring. However, our training will build trust and healthfulness. Beginners should rest assured that the dojo leader and other students will support safe, harmonious partner training with virtually no physical risk.
Kata: some beginning classes may not have any kata instruction, but some may have components of kata or exposure to kata. Kata are sequences of movements put together in a beautiful way. Think of kata like songs. Individual techniques are like the notes in the songs. Like playing a new instrument, we often practice notes in isolation first, then in scales, and eventually as a complete song. Beyond the notes, beautiful music comes from the method, emotion, timing, and internal intent employed by the musician. In this way, kata often feels mechanical at first, but with time, the techniques can flow and take on greater meaning.
Closing Ceremony: class ends with a brief closing ceremony. It is a chance to reflect on insights gained, acknowledge the community for their contribution to new learning, and to capture ones intention going forth.
Departure: after class, some students will ask other students or the instructor for tips or clarification, some may want to repeat a few things to remember for home practice, and some may engage in casual everyday conversation.
Conclusion
While every class is different, many of the components and outcomes are the same. Hopefully, all leave training feeling personally challenged, but also refreshed. Often, being immersed in focused learning operates as a form of meditation. Upon leaving class, a weight is lifted and life's problems may feel less oppressive or at least viewable from a new perspective. Additionally, one gains positive attitude and momentum from healthy movement and from constructive interactions with others. Lifelong health is built this way, one class at a time.