What to expect at your first karate class

Walking into a dojo for the first time is the hardest part of starting karate. Knowing what will happen makes it easier. This is how a first class usually goes at Tomyris Karatedo in Christchurch, and at most Shotokan dojos.

Before you leave home

Wear a T-shirt and track pants or leggings. Avoid anything with zips or buttons that could scratch a partner. Take off watches and jewellery, and bring a water bottle. Karate is practised barefoot, so you don’t need special shoes.

You don’t need a uniform. Beginners train in ordinary clothes for the first few weeks.

When you arrive

Come about ten minutes early. Introduce yourself to the instructor and mention any injuries or health conditions. Shoes come off at the edge of the training floor.

You’ll see students bow as they step onto the floor. It isn’t religious. It’s the karate equivalent of a handshake, a way of saying “I’m here to train and I’ll look after the people around me.”

Lining up

The class lines up facing the front, in grade order, with beginners at the end. Everyone kneels, there’s a few seconds of silence to clear the head, then a bow to the front and a bow to the instructor. You’ll hear some Japanese: sensei means teacher, rei means bow, and osu is an all-purpose “yes” or “understood”. Nobody expects you to know the words. Copy the person next to you.

The warm-up

Ten minutes or so of jogging on the spot, joint rotations and stretches. Go as far as is comfortable. Flexibility is something karate gives you, not something you need to bring.

Basics

This is the core of the class. On your first night you’ll probably learn:

• how to make a proper fist
• front stance, with the front knee bent and the back leg straight
• a straight punch from a standing position
• a downward block
• a front kick

You’ll repeat each one many times to a count. The instructor will come round and adjust your position. Being corrected is normal and happens to black belts too.

Kata and partner work

Later in the class, the grades split up. Beginners are usually shown the opening moves of Heian Shodan, the first kata, or a simple partner drill where one person steps in with a punch and the other steps back and blocks. Nothing is done at full speed, and nobody makes contact.

The end of class

The class lines up again, kneels and bows out. In many Shotokan dojos the senior student recites the dojo kun, five short principles about character, effort and respect.

The next day

Your legs will know about it. The low stances work muscles that most sports miss. It passes after the first couple of weeks.

Ready to try?

Classes for kids and adult beginners run on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Waimairi School in Strowan. Send us a message and we’ll tell you which night to come.