It is not unusual for a person new to the martial arts to attend a class at BCI and not know exactly what to expect. To help alleviate any anxiety or
stress, we have prepared the following as a brief overview for new BCI students.
As a new student, you should line up at the back of the class, and the student immediately to your right should either be higher than or equal to you in
rank.
At the opening and closing of each class there is a bowing ceremony. (See Bowing Ceremony). No religious connotations are attached to the bowing
ceremonies.
Each class begins with a warm-up to loosen and stretch the muscles. The warm up not only helps with one’s flexibility but also helps prevent injury
during training. Stretching exercises should be performed daily at home to improve class performance and overall health.
When training with a partner and working on techniques and movements, remember you are in class to learn, practice, and improve. Train hard, but do
not hurt each other. In order to put training techniques and movements together, we allow students to spar in class under close supervision. Such
training provides students with the skills necessary to protect themselves in a real-life situation. To prevent injury students must wear protective gear
during sparring sessions, and only light contact is allowed. Sparring is practice fighting, which develops speed and timing.
When sparring with higher ranked students, know that they are not trying to hurt you. Sparring is like engaging in a conversation. If you speak calmly,
he/she will speak calmly. If you yell, he/she will yell. Hence, if you hit hard, expect your opponent to hit you back just as hard.
Instead, learn to recognize techniques. For example, if your opponent kicks and taps you lightly, don’t attempt to grab the leg and try to throw down
your opponent. If your opponent hits you lightly, do not wade through the punches to attack. If your opponent did not strike you hard, it is because
he/she chose not to hit you hard. Respect your opponent’s ability to not hurt you.
Learn to enjoy practices. Don’t wish these days away by getting frustrated and angry because there is magic between now and you’re actual testing for
rank. Direction is more important than speed and remember “The victory is always in the journey.”
Although BCI is a progressive school many traditional aspects are still practiced and traditional virtues are still taught. At the beginning and end of each
jujitsu class there is a bowing ceremony. It has no religious connotations whatsoever but is used to display respect for the art’s history and to achieve
mental and physical tranquility.
The commands in this ceremony are given by the Sensei (teacher) and sempai (top student) and are as follows: Sensei: “Kiotsuke” kee’oat’skay
(attention), “Seiza” say’za (correct sitting or kneeling position): from standing, lower the left knee, then follow slowly with the right. Sitting with
your back straight cross the big toe of your right foot over the big toe of your left foot, hands resting on your thighs. “Mokusoh Hajime” mohk-soh -
ha gee may (quiet thought - begin): from the seiza position breathe deeply and quietly in through your nose at a count of 1-2-3-4 and exhale
through your mouth at a count of 5-6-7-8-9-10 (always exhale longer than you inhale). “Mokusoh Yame” mohk-soh yah-may (quiet thought -
stop) at this command open your eyes and remain sitting. Sempai will then say: “Deshi ni rei” day shee nee-ray (bow in respect to the students):
place the left hand down first and follow the right touching the index finger and thumb together from each hand. Say aloud.. “Arigato gozai-masu” ar-
ee-ga-toe-go-zai-mas (thank you very much). “Dojo ni rei” doe-joe-nee-ray (bow in respect to the school) repeat.. Arigato gozai masu. Then
Sensei will say “rei” ray, everyone executes a kneeling bow with closed fist touching the floor just in front of the knees and stands up into attention.
The Sempai then gives final command. “Sensei ni rei” (Bow in respect to the teacher) all students bow and say domo arigato sensei (with
esteem thanks…teacher).
At BCI your belt entails much more than just wrapping it around you and tying a square knot. As a matter of fact tying your belt has a special meaning
and plays a very important role in bushido (way of the warrior) and your martial arts training at BCI. The process of tying the belt reminds one of
respect, self-control, awareness, caution, self-confidence and the self-discipline needed to achieve Black Belt Excellence and true Bushi Damashi
(Warrior Spirit).
To begin you put the two ends together in order to find the center of the belt. Place the center between the navel and the groin (the groin represents
the giver of life and the navel represents the receiver of life. Therefore we begin in a neutral position between giving and receiving). Notice the belt is
extra long so that it encircles the body twice. This complete circle represents the universe, which is to remind us that we are all of one. When the two
ends meet in front it is to remind you “what goes around comes around” so you must respect others and always think before you act. The belt should
cross in the back forming an X. This X represents “All unknown quantities”. Unknown quantities are the things that happen to you in life when least
expected. This X is to remind you that things may be said or done behind your back and that the number one element of self-protection is awareness.
Now cross the belt in the front, right over left forming another X. This X represents “known quantities”. Known quantities are the things that happen
to you right under your nose. It is to remind you to always use caution because many things in life are not always as they appear to be. For example
some things may appear to be safe yet only contain danger, some people may appear to be trust worthy yet intend harm. Known quantities also
consist of peer pressure from friends to indulge in things we know are not right. So this X is to remind us to use self-control when confronted with
temptation to do wrong.
Now take the right end under both the left end and the center of the belt, and then up. When you bury this end of the belt under this represents all
the times you feel like life is burying you under. For example the times you wake up in the mornings and say to yourself “why even get out of bed it’s
just going to be another bad day. Nothing seems to be going my way; I must have the worst luck in the world”. Or “why bother going to martial arts
class, I just can’t seem to get it. Maybe it’s just not for me”. Everyone has experienced this type of feeling in one way or another sometime in his or
her life. As you continue to pull the end of the belt up through, this is to remind you that through self-confidence and perseverance as a martial artist
you will always have the ability to rise again.
Now cross the same end over the other and tie, finishing with a square knot. You tug on both ends three times as you tighten the knot. These three
tugs represent problems, solution, and change. The ends of the belt should hang evenly to represent a balanced life gained through self-discipline.
Think about this meaning every time you tie your belt and you will never forget that achieving true Bushi Damashi consist of far more than just learning
to fight!
Qualifications
His/her instructor will determine a student’s participation in belt promotions. Their instructor will notify students at least two weeks prior to testing. The
list of students’ names that are ready to test will be posted on the information board. Once a student has been cleared for promotion, testing fees
must be paid at that time. BCI instructors reserve the right to refuse belt promotions to any student if he/she feels that the student is not prepared or
has not attended classes on a consistent basis.
If a student fails to demonstrate a satisfactory level of achievement, he/she may be awarded temporary rank. Such students will receive their belt:
however, the rank certificate shall be withheld for a minimum of two weeks, thus allowing the student time to improve on the areas in which they scored
low during the test.
In addition to performing all the physical requirements, students must regularly attend the twice - weekly lessons. Another criteria for promotion to
which students in the kids’ class are held is academic achievement in school, as evidenced by a good report card.
When you go for a drive through the park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, do you drive as fast as you can to get it over with or do you
take your time and enjoy the ride? If you rush, you miss all the beauty the day has to offer and your memory retains less intricate
details of your ride. If you take your time, you enjoy the ride and get a whole different feeling for the day by seeing and understanding
things you would have otherwise missed.
Approach your study of the martial arts much like you would that Sunday drive. Do not rush through the belt system; slow down, take your time and
enjoy the learning experience.
Parents: We encourage you to participate in your child’s journey to Black Belt. Please have them practice at home. Let them know that this is for
them. Let them know how proud you are of all the hard work and dedication they have committed themselves to. Let them experience a sense of
accomplishment by allowing them to work as hard as they can. Speak with the instructor before disciplining your child by taking away his/her martial
arts training. Instead take TV, parties, play time, etc. By taking away the martial arts you take away an essential element for developing the discipline
needed to lead a positive and successful life.
Gentle Art Jujitsu
School or practice area Dojo
Teacher Sensei
Top Student Sempai
Attention Kiotsuke
Bow Rei
Thank You Arigato
Yes Hai
No Eie
Free Fight Kumite
Free Exercise Randori
Grappling Katame
Kneeling Position Seiza
Quite Thought Mokoso
Mind like water Mizu no kokoro
Mind no mind Shin mushin
Defender or Applier of the technique Tori
Attacker or receiver of the technique Uke
Submit Mate
Stop Yame
Begin Hajime
To the right Migi
To the left Hidari
Inner Spirit Ki
Good Morning Ohyo Gozamus
Good Afternoon Konichiwa
Good Evening Konbawa
Good Night Oyasumi Nasi
Good Bye Sayonara
- One - Ichi (ee chee) Six – Rokyu (ro koo) Eleven - Ju ichi
Two – Ni (nee) Seven – Shichi (see- chee) Tweleve - Ju ni
Three – San (sawn) Eight – Hachi (haw-chee) Twenty - Ni Ju
Four – Shi (shee) Nine – Ku (koo) Twenty One - Ni Ju Ichi
Five – Go (go) Ten – Ju (joo) One Hundred - Hyaku
| " What to expect as a new student " |
| " Tying Your Belt " |
| WELCOME TO THE DOJO |
| " Bowing Ceremony " |
| ENJOY THE RIDE |
| " Counting in Japanese " |
| BASIC JAPANESE TERMINOLOGY |
| BELT PROMOTIONS |
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All BCI students must be familiar with dojo rules and regulations. Following the rules of dojo etiquette is mandatory for all BCI members. Failure to
comply will result in expulsion and suspension of membership (there are no refunds).
PARENTS:
1. You are welcomed and encouraged to observe your children in class. Please observe quietly so that the class is not disrupted by excess noise.
2. If you ever have any concerns or questions, please address your concerns to a BCI staff member. If they are not available at the time, please
feel free to call them and they will attend to your needs as soon as possible.
WAITING AREA/OFFICE:
3. If you are sitting in the waiting area, do not engage in unnecessary chatter because it disrupts the instructor and students.
4. Knock before entering the Staff office. Wait your turn if the instructor is busy.
GENERAL:
1. Address all Black Belts accordingly as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Sensei.
2. Display respect for instructors and other students at all times.
3. Use your martial arts skills only in self-defense situations.
PERSONAL HYGIENE-UNIFORMS:
1. Personal hygiene and a clean uniform are mandatory for all members. Hair should be tied back so that it does not get in the way of training.
Objects that can scratch your training partner should not be worn in hair. Nails should be kept groomed and clean.
2. Please wash your uniform on a regular basis. Never wash your belt. Dispose of used band-aids in trashcan; do not leave them in the training
area. Also dispose of broken nails in trashcan, not mat area.
TRAINING AREA:
1. Bow before entering and exiting.
2. No horseplay or foul language is permitted.
3. No food, drinks, gum chewing permitted.
4. No shoes that have been worn on the street permitted on the mats. Bring a clean
pair of shoes which have not been worn outside (may collect dirt, rocks etc.
Which end up on the mat).
5. Only enrolled students allowed during scheduled classes.
6. If you are late for class, do not enter the mat area without the instructor’s or
assistants expressed permission. Wait at the Tori gate until you are
acknowledged.
7. Do no leave the mat area without the instructor’s or assistants expressed
permission.
8. If you forget your belt, you must wear a white belt and line up accordingly.
9. If you have an existing injury, inform the instructor before class begins.
10. Get permission from a BCI staff member before using dojo equipment (bags,
mitts, etc.).
11. Put all equipment away after using it.
12. No sparring without the permission of a BCI staff member.
13. No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings) may be worn during
class.
| Dojo Rules & Regulations |