Have you ever walked into a karate school and wondered what all of the rigid hierarchy and bowing is all about? Are you currently a new member of a karate studio and are wondering what all of the foreign words and chanting means? Or are you an avid student who still wonders what it all means when you enter your Mini Martial Arts Experience every Wednesday evening at 6pm? Lots of people share your confusion and many people wonder if it is all necessary.
Here is your quick cheat sheet to The Dos and Donts of Karate Etiquette.
Depending on your karate school and style, some or all of the following may apply:
1. DO show respect to your instructor and fellow members while you try to find your place within the group and see if the school matches YOUR goals and has YOUR best interests at heart. If the school does meet your expectations then continue to train there and continue to show respect to the instructor, the club members and the traditions of the style. If the school doesnt meet your expectations then get out of there faster than Bruce Lee coult throw a One-Inch Punch.
2. DO open your mind to different ways of doing things. For the most part karate...