ZEN DO KAI FREESTYLE KARATE

Training & Goals

Expectations of the first week

During the first week it is important that you work at your own pace and familiarize yourself with the dojo, the training routines and your fellow students. It is possible that you may experience some muscle soreness after your first few classes. This is not a reason to stop training. The soreness will pass.

Please do not eat before a class. It takes up to two hours for a meal to digest. Depending on the food (type and amount) and an individual’s metabolism (which varies with age), it could take up to five hours for the food to digest. Undigested food sitting in your stomach will make you uncomfortable during exercise and consequently make it difficult to train.

It is recommended that you drink some water thirty minutes before you train.

The Typical Class

As part of the practice of discipline and respect, each class begins with a bow to the style.

All students and instructors line up according to rank. The highest ranked students stand on the left of the dojo as they face the front. The posture for standing is shoulder width, with knuckles clenched, looking straight ahead. This is an extremely important aspect in the formality of bowing as it shows a student’s strength and focus. The instructor will then say “attention”, whereby you will end up with your feet together and knuckles clenched by the side of your uniform. The command for “bow” is then given and eye contact is maintained during the bow.

With few exceptions, the typical class will last for exactly one hour. The first ten minutes will be spent on a general muscular warm up, followed by the strength exercises that our gradings require, then by a short stretching session. The remainder of the session is based on the syllabus from which we operate. This will include kickboxing (Thai boxing) drills, padwork, self-defence, patterns or kata (theory), speed drills, and of course detailed technique explanation.

All training in Zen Do Kai follows a structured routine, however, each student is an individual and should progress at his or her own pace. The classes are structured to be interesting whilst reinforcing the necessary techniques and skills. Zen Do Kai is a free style martial arts combining aspects from many other styles including Karate, wrestling, Muay Thai and Brazilian Judi Just.

Some various methods of training include:

Kata's

These are also known as forms or patterns. They involve a series of moves, which teach a student to flow from one movement or technique to another.

Yuksuko

This is referred to as one step sparring, where one student throws a technique and the other student responds with a block and counter techniques. This training method teaches defensive and counter offensive moves.

Kumite

Or touch sparring. All safety equipment is worn and the students participate in touch contact sparring with an opponent. Respect is shown to your opponent by acknowledging scoring techniques. This is an effective method of putting the reinforced techniques into practice and searching out the most effective combinations.

Equipment

To begin lessons all you need is a training suit (or Gi) - and this has been provided to you. At the point that you become a Blue belt we will ask that you invest in some protective equipment. This equipment - which you may want to get now - includes a mouthguard (available from dentists, chemists and sports stores), a groin guard (available from your instructor or sports stores - sometimes called a cricket box), and shin/instep protectors (available from your instructor for $27.50).

An additional piece of equipment - provided by the club but many students have their own - are boxing gloves for sparring and drills. Aside from the obvious reasons for using safety equipment, any injuries, however minor, will cause your confidence to waiver, and in turn deprive you of the full benefit of your training.

Goals

Progressing through the ranks

Every three months, the Centre holds belt promotions. These are tests designed to determine levels of achievement and improvement from previous tests. The tests include basic fitness and flexibility requirements, sparring and shadow sparring, one step sparring (pre-arranged self-defence movements), patterns, and escapes from grabs and numbered boxing and kickboxing combinations. For specific requirements, refer to the end of this handbook. There is a recommended time period for each level. Students will be told when they are eligible for each test and the date of the exam. After the exam, students will be promoted to the next level. If a student does not pass, he/she maintains his/her present level.

Your first few tip tests are designed to be low key and are held in a relaxed atmosphere. This will enable you to perform without pressure. Belt tests involve progressively more pressure as you work your way towards your black belt.

After each test, students who were not promoted may go through a period of denial, wondering if the decision was correct and may even think of quitting. Every student who tests must place the test in this context: The purpose of the test is to ask whether or not you are ready to advance to the next level. You will either be told "Yes" or "No". You must be honest with yourself and willing to accept the answer regardless of what it may be. Remember, there is no shame in not being promoted.

You must bear in mind that everyone can handle "success". It is how a person handles failure that tells you something about their true character.