OKINAWAN GOJU-RYU KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Reigi - Dojo Etiquette

"Reigi" or respect is an essential element of life dojo. Dojo means the place of following the "path". Therefore, it has very deep meaning. This is the place where, by the presentation of demands to him and trying to do everything as best you can, you can realize the enormous benefits of karate. Therefore, the dojo should be viewed not simply as a place for training, but also as a place where we  form your body and mind. Also within the dojo we conduct our practice with students and teachers. We can improve only through such collaborative practices. Therefore, we should be great respect for each other. This is an important principle of karate.


According to the ancient traditions of Okinawan society all starts with a bow and ends with a bow. In karate-do the same thing happens - Karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow. In the kata (forms ready), for example, you bow to the very beginning of the kata and then again at the end. Proper Etiquette with bows and signs of respect is very important. The society is also a manifestation of sincerity and respect is an important part of everyday life.

Rey, which means "bow", but it could mean and respect must come from the heart, and voluntarily. You must have a genuine respect for people and the personality of each person. Along with this is your attitude through your actions and physical behavior must be polite and sincere.

If your physical attitude and sincerity are genuine, then Rei (respect) comes naturally from the heart. It is important that the physical and spiritual aspects of Ray combined in this way.

During his own training, if you always remember to respect during the maintenance of a clean and correct attitude and strive to improve your character, then the result will form the respect and obedience, and in your life karate or no room left for pride.

Therefore, when entering the dojo you worship ye elder and fellow students. For those of us who study martial arts when training begins with respect, then our attitudes and behavior will also be correct. If our relations are correct and we train with resignation, then the real technique comes easily, but respect and sincerity will be naturally expressed in the bow.

 

Two important terms in the Dojo

Onegai-shimasu - Please teach / help me

Arigato Gozaimashita - Thank you very much

 

 

 

 


Rei: this word literally means to bow. Bowing is what we do at the dojo to greet each other, when entering the dojo remember to bow at the main entrance and say: Onegaishimasu (Please help me, please teach me), take off your shoes and put them in order. "Remember if you find any other shoes, which are not in order put them in order". When in the change room greet your fellow karatekas by bowing and say Onegaishimasu.

Before entering the training area let any senior students go ahead by belt category (Black belt will go first then, brown, Green, Yellow, White). When on the dojo floor the most senior student will be at the right side of the dojo and he will call for Zarei and Mokuso.

Upon completion of the opening ceremony Sensei will begin the training session with warm up and stretches, then the class will move onto Kihon (basic) karate teachniques, (Blocking, Punching, Kicking, etc). When Sensei is explaining a technique all students are to sit down in seiza and listen to the theory of the technique (Students must pay close attention to this teaching. This is where you will learn different meanings of your techniques).

When practicing any techniques with a partner do not forget to bow at each other and say Onegaishimasu and upon completion of your technique(s) with a partner bow to each other and say: Arigato Gozaimashita (Thank you very much). The same rule applies before beginning a Kata. Kata begins and ends with respect so when bowing say: Onegaishimasu and at the end of the Kata on the final bow say: Arigato Gozaimashita.

When you are in dojo or outside dojo do not walk in front of your senior students, if you need to excuse yourself let your Sensei know by saying the following: Shitsurei Shimasu, Sensei, then give a brief explanation of your excuse (like you need to go to the bathroom). Remember to go to the bathroom before starting a training session, but if you need to go while training then follow the said procedure.

Once the class come to an end Sensei will call for dojo yame, all students are to line up just like at the beginning of the class, the most senior students stand in the right end of the dojo. The senior student will call for Zarei by calling: Seiza, Mokuso and then the Dojo Kun will be recite, repeat after senior student or Sensei.

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