Springfield Ymca Karate

Congratulations to Yifei, Tristan, and Garrett on a successful grading. Great job everyone!!

This week was great! We discussed the three types of bunkai. Omote, Ura, Honto. Its important to understand all three so you also understand how and when it's appropriate to apply each of them! It was great to see everyone learning and demonstrating their personal applications.

We had a great week. We have had some new faces the last few weeks and they coming along great. We worked on kihon, renzokis, and some good old fashioned body conditioning with kumite. Rest up, ice up, and see you next week.

We worked hard on kihon, Kata, and curriculum review preparing Tristan for grading this week. He pushed through a tough grading and we are proud of his grit and perseverance...We are not going to spoil the results but he will learn next week 🥋💪

We've been hitting the "kihon" (basics) hard lately! Through curriculum review💪 It's like building a super strong fort – you need those bricks and mortar to stay solid. Sometimes, even the best foundations need a little extra TLC. 😉

From Sensei

KORYU KOSHU KAI

Dojo Etiquette and Expected Conduct
(Every member expected to know)

1. Entering the Dojo (Dōjō Iri)
Bow at the threshold: Acknowledge the dojo as a place of old‑way to respect and to practice and personal growth.
Mindful presence: Leave ego, stress, and outside concerns at the door.
Uniform readiness: Gi clean, belt tied properly, emblem worn with pride and humility.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Entering the dojo symbolizes stepping into koryu, the old ways, so students pause, breathe, and mentally commit to training with sincerity. Enter the dojo with the right mindset and intent.

2. Formal Sitting & Bowing
Seiza during opening/closing shows discipline and stillness.
Rei is performed with deliberate calm, not rushed.
Hands placed properly (left then right) to show no hostile intent.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: The bow is not ceremonial fluff, it is a declaration of respect for lineage, teachers, and the art itself. Bow with your heart!

3. Class Opening Ritual
Line up by rank: Senior students guide juniors by example. Most senior begins the front line to the right of Shomen, left of Sensei when he is looking at the class with his back to Shomen.
Mokusō: Clear the mind; prepare the spirit.
Shōmen ni rei: Honor the founders and the old ways.
Sensei ni rei: Acknowledge instruction with Onegaishimasu (please teach/help me)
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: This ritual connects students to the lineage you preserve, Goju‑ryu’s Okinawan roots and the responsibility to carry them forward.

4. Respect for Instructors & Senior Students
Use proper titles: Sensei, Senpai, Doshi, or Kohai.
Respond with “Hai” when given a command or asked if you understand. A sign of readiness and spirit.
Follow instructions immediately: No debate, no hesitation. The dojo isn’t a democracy.
If late, kneel and wait for acknowledgment before joining.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Senpai‑kohai structure is essential. Seniors model humility, not authority for its own sake.
5. Conduct Toward Fellow Students
Bow before and after training as partners. Mutual respect and safety.
Control techniques: Power without control is not being respectful or helpful.
Encourage, don’t belittle, Strength is shared, not hoarded.
Help juniors learn, Teaching reinforces your own understanding.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: The dojo and organization is your martial family. Everyone contributes to preserving the old ways.

6. Cleanliness & Care for the Dojo
Students clean the dojo: Floors, equipment, and personal space.
Gi and body clean: Respect for partners and the art.
Return equipment properly: Nothing left out or disorganized.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Cleaning is not a chore, it is souji, a practice of humility and gratitude.

7. Training Behavior
Follow commands with focus and spirit.
No unnecessary talking: Silence sharpens awareness.
Practice kata with intent: Not just memorization, but understanding.
Sparring is learning, not fighting: Fight hard but controlled and with respect. We want everyone to be able to train again tomorrow.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Technique must reflect the principles of Go (hard) and Ju (soft), harmonized through disciplined practice.

8. Personal Character Expectations
Integrity: Actions inside and outside the dojo reflect the art.
Humility: Rank is responsibility, not privilege.
Perseverance: Old‑way training demands patience and grit.
Bushidō virtues: Students are expected to embody them daily.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Our organization explicitly ties rank to character. Technical skill alone is never enough.

9. Ending Class
Return to seiza: Calm the mind after exertion.
Shōmen ni rei: Bow to main wall. Show gratitude for the art and its preservation.
Sensei ni rei: Bow to the instructor. Appreciation for instruction.
Otagani rei: Bow to one another. Appreciation for your training partners.
“Domo arigatō gozaimash*ta” Thank you very much. Spoken clearly and sincerely.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Closing ritual seals the training session, demonstrates respect and appreciation, and honors the lineage you protect.

Many people do not understand that traditional karate techniques were defensive & anticipatory. When you understand Karate you know it is ultimately about trying to avoid violence but learning to use violence efficiently & effectively when righteous & superior violence is required to defend yourself or others.

‼️Parents/Students NO CLASSES MONDAY OR TUESDAY‼️ The Y is closed for the holiday and the will be using our room Tuesday & Wednesday for a VIP political visit!

Training this week was a lot of fun, bo staff, throwing combinations, and kata. We will work more next week and continue with curriculum review. Have a happy and safe holiday!!

‼️
Students/Parents‼️

Just reposting as a reminder today (May 20th) is the last day to order SYK apparel with our new logo.

IMPORTANT T-SHIRT ORDERING INFO

You asked, and they’re here—new dojo apparel featuring our new logo is now available! This order includes T-shirts, zip-up hoodies, pullover hoodies, and rash guards, with sizes ranging from youth to adult tall/big, plus a variety of colors and material options.

Order online here:
https://springfieldymcakarate26.itemorder.com/shop/home/

If you’re local and would like to pick up your order at the dojo, Sensei O can arrange a bulk pickup and deliver orders to the dojo after printing—but you must let him know in advance. You may also pick up your order yourself or have it shipped anywhere in the country.

All prices are set at cost, and the school makes no profit from sales.

Orders must be placed by May 20th. The online store will close after that date.

Good training this week, hard work, kata, and combos. We start the 2nd quarter curriculum review next week!!