KARATE CLUB

Contact Details
Karen Rimicans karen@falklandskarate.com
Website queries - Please contact webmaster@falklandskarate.com

Mondays
4.45pm - 5.30pm (juniors / white belts) 
4.45pm - 6.15pm (senior grades / adults)

Fridays   
5-6pm (juniors)
5-6.30pm (seniors)

ALL sessions are now held at the IJS Hall 

Fees
Sessions are £1/session (first 3 sessions free of charge) and are payable to the club treasurer on arrival at the session.

Starting age
Average age of new students is about 6 or 7 years old. This depends on each child, as the sport requires co-ordination.
Wear comfortable clothing and remove socks, shoes and all jewellery.

What you need to begin karate training
Karate can be practiced in any loose comfortable clothing, with removal of all footwear.  Keeping a neat and tidy appearance is essential for good etiquette and safety.  All jewellery should be removed or taped over, hair should be tied back and nails should be trimmed and clean. 

Bring some water with you as practicing karate can be thirsty work.

What you can expect to happen in a karate lesson
On entering the dojo (training area) students will register their attendance and pay any fees as an attendance record will be kept.

Students are then asked to line up, usually in accordance with rank, highest rank to the right, though often height and age are more appropriate considering the wide range of ages in the class.

The class starts with meditation.  Students are asked to kneel and the class is formally introduced by the instructor.  This is karate etiquette and it is important to stay silent during this time to encourage focus and concentration.  Meditation is followed by warm up exercises and stretches before the class begins.

Students who are late should kneel at the side of the class and wait to be invited to join the class by the instructor.  Students should always bow when entering and leaving the dojo.  If you are unsure of correct etiquette at any time, just ask a senior grade or watch what they do.

Patience, humbleness, good manners, good etiquette and courtesy should be shown by students.  In return self control, discipline, confidence and stamina can be some of the many rewards. 

Note for parents
Students do not have to pay for the first three lessons and we would recommend that you do not consider buying a GI (white uniform) until the student has attended for about six weeks.  A GI is the most comfortable and traditional training uniform, not just a gimmick, so make sure it is money well spent.  Buying your own sparring mitts, groin guards for boys or men and chest guards for girls and women are other gear that can assist students train at a later stage.