We’d like to welcome you and your family to the Shotokan Karate program at the Northwest YMCA. This post is intended to provide new participants with important information about our class.
Overview
Our goal is to provide a serious atmosphere for children to learn how to do their best, and to not give up. We feel that these are the two most important things that we teach. As with learning any new skill, continuous, regular practice is required – the more your children practice, the faster they will improve. Please have them practice at home, and try to attend a both classes every week: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 7:10 pm.
Before Class
Karate is a contact activity. For everyone’s health and safety:
* Please remove all watches, bands, bracelets and other jewelry.
* Keep hands and feet clean with fingernails and toenails clean and short.
* Clothing must be clean and neat and suitable for exercise (more about attire below).
* Please use the restroom prior to class. Instructors must stay with the class at all times and cannot accompany any child to the restroom. If your child needs to use the restroom during class you must be available to accompany them.
* No drinking, eating, or gum allowed in class. Please hydrate beforehand.
* Long hair? Please tie it back.
* Injured or feeling ill? Please rest up and get better.
During Class
Entry
* Our classes begin in a traditional and formal way. Shoes and socks are removed as we enter the room for practice. Then we bow with our feet together and our hands by our sides.
* Shoes and socks are to be placed neatly along the wall beside everybody else’s.
* Then we line up by seniority and sit to perform a short meditation and bow (mokuso and rei) to prepare our minds for a serious practice.
* If you are late and we are already sitting in mokuso, your children must wait quietly in the hallway (with the door closed) until we are standing up and until you have completed sign-in.
Attire
* Please have your children wear clean clothing that is suitable for stretching and physical activity. It is best to designate a specific set of clothing (e.g. a specific pair of shorts and t-shirt) to wear for karate class. Jeans, for example, are not suitable.
* It is not necessary to purchase a karate uniform (gi) right away. Once you and your children decide that they would like to continue to practice, you can purchase a karate uniform for them. The uniform should be plain and white. We have high quality uniforms available for under $50 (incl. tax, S&H). Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing one.
Parents – During Class:
* For privacy and safety reasons, please do not take photographs or videos of our class as all participants are minors.
* Please don’t disrupt practice by trying to communicate with your children during class.
* You can help and encourage your children simply by always getting them to class on time and by letting them know afterwards that you enjoyed watching them practice. Try not to criticize or coach them on the technical aspects.
* NOTE: Outside of class instruction, fighting with others is strictly not allowed. This, as well as teasing, striking or bullying others could result in your permanent expulsion from our program. Please refer to the YMCA code of conduct in your membership agreement.
Exit
* We bow when leaving the room and then we put on our shoes.
Class Cancellations and Announcements
If we have any announcements or if need to cancel a class for any reason, we will notify you by email. Please share any such announcements with each parent or guardian.
Registration Renewal
Registration does not automatically renew. Please contact the front desk if you would like to register for subsequent sessions. The class has filled up quickly in the past so it is best to renew early. If the class is full you will be placed on the waiting list.
See you at practice!
Thanks and Regards,
Curt Wvong
Instructor