Within Okinawa gojuryu, there are a number of more or less fixed rules regarding greetings, the arrangement in the practice hall, and so on. The primary purpose is to create an atmosphere that fosters tranquility, receptiveness, camaraderie, and focused attention. While you will primarily need to bring these qualities to the table, the atmosphere and organization of the classes can help.

Especially after a busy day, the ceremony can help you regain your inner peace and clarity. This is certainly pleasant in itself, but it’s especially important when you’re approaching intensive training. Injuries, whether your own or those of others, are undeniably more likely to occur when part of you is still lingering somewhere in the past or future. Not to mention that learning and enjoying yourself also require a presence “with heart and soul.”

Furthermore, uniform rules and the use of a single language act as a lubricant for every training session, including international events.

Below are the most important rules.

1. When entering the practice room

Make a standing bow toward the teacher, or in their absence, the class leader [sempai] and/or other people present in the practice hall. When greeting, say “onegai shimasu,” which means “please help me” or “please teach me.” Allow higher-ranked karateka to go first if they are also about to enter the practice hall.

2. At the Beginning of Class

The greeting ceremony at the beginning of class is usually led by the highest-ranking student sitting in the front right. As a group, respond to their call as follows:

“Shugo!” Everyone forms up quickly, usually in four rows. The highest-ranking student stands in front right, the lowest-ranking student in the back left. Stand in musubi dachi.

“Ki o tsuke!” Gather your attention.

“Seiza!” Kneel, first bringing your left knee to the ground. The teacher sits first, then the highest-ranking student, and then the rest. Extend your spine from bottom to top, relaxing your body from top to bottom, resting on the ground. Sit upright and centered.

“Mokuso!” Close your eyes and relax; make yourself as mindless as possible, and focus your attention on the inner part of your abdomen [tanden]. – ‘Mokuso yame!’: Open your eyes and slowly turn your attention outward.

‘Shomen ni…’ Focus on the ‘head’ of the practice hall; the head of the practice hall is the symbolic residence of the deceased ‘forefathers’ of Okinawa gojuryu karatedo.

Their brilliance and dedication in the past can now be a reason for you to express your gratitude for passing on the style you now practice.

If there is an altar at the head of the hall, the salutation ‘Shinden Ni’ is also used.

 ‘…Rei!’ Bow from your stomach.

‘Sensei ni…’ Focus on the teacher [sensei] or the person who is substituting for the class in their absence (sempai);

‘…Rei!’ Bow from your stomach and say ‘Onegai shimasu’ [please teach me]. Finally, the teacher signals to stand, calling out:

Ki Ritsu Place the right foot forward, straighten up, and then bring the left foot forward to form

musubi dachi. The order of standing is the same as for sitting down. This is followed by a standing salute to introduce the first training section. The various training sections are usually concluded and ushered in with a standing salute to allow for renewed focus and renewed vigor.

3. When arriving late

Walk along the right side of the hall to the side of the shomen and kneel facing the shomen or shinden. Take a moment for a short meditation to calm down and focus on the class. Bow from your stomach toward the teacher and say “Shitsurei Shimasu,” which means “Excuse me.” Then join the class. If the teacher is no longer sitting or standing in front of the shomen, bow in the direction of the shomen and then bow to the teacher standing before joining the class.

4. When training with a partner

Greet at least when joining a training partner and when separating, saying “Onegai Shimasu” at the beginning and “Arigato gozaimashita” at the end. – If you hurt your training partner, it is primarily your fault. Therefore, apologize and ensure that the other person is well again.

5. When receiving instructions

It is in everyone’s interest to show whether you understand a particular explanation, demonstration, or instruction, or whether it is of sufficient benefit to you. You can indicate this, if positive, by bowing. This can be accompanied by the words “hai Sensei,” “osu,” or “arigato gozaimashita” (thank you very much).

6. At the End of Class

The greeting ceremony at the end of class is largely the same as the one at the beginning. However, when bowing to the teacher, you now say “arigato gozaimashita,” which means “thank you very much.”
This is followed by:
“Otegaini ni…” face your classmate next to you. In the case of four rows, the two outer rows turn toward the inner rows and vice versa.
“…Rei!” bow from your stomach and say “arigato gozaimashita.”
“Shomen!” everyone turns back to the front of the dojo.
This is followed by “kiritsu!” (stand up), and everyone ends with a less formal greeting as a transition to daily life.

7. Leaving the Practice Hall

Just as when entering, bow to the teacher. If the teacher is no longer present,
give a greeting to the sempai and/or fellow students. You may also say “arigato gozaimashita” again.
Never leave the practice room during class without permission.

And furthermore

• Don’t make etiquette a mere formality without genuine feelings of gratitude and respect.
• Simply arrive on time.
• Go to the restroom before training.
• Don’t do anything that could cause or aggravate injury, either to others or to yourself.
• Keep your nails trimmed.
• If you bleed, clean it (including the floor) immediately and cover it with a bandage or plaster.
• If you wear a karate uniform, make sure it’s clean, has a gojuryu emblem on the left chest, and that you’re wearing the correct belt with the correct number of stripes.

• Instructors really want to help you improve your karate, but
  – try to ask your questions during class.
  – respect the short break between classes and leave the instructors alone.
• There will be time after training for personal pictures, but
  – please ask this politely.

• When training with big groups, everything goes slower. Please be on time for the training day (30 minutes)
• And be on time for each class (5 minutes)

• There are many participants at a European Gasshuku. Generally there will be 20 -25 instructors and senior karateka at the front row.
• A quick lining up helps the training.
• Lower grades (3rd dan and lower) move back to create space.
• Somebody will tell which grade to line up. Run!
• If there is a gap in front of you, step forward to fill the gap.
• If there is a gap to your right, step right to fill the gap.
• If you need to move far, run!

• a great feature and part of a European Gasshuku is meeting old friends and making new friends.
• socialize before class, after class, during the break. During the greeting ceremony and during class, try to be fully present and do not socialize. 

• Do not make video’s of the training without explicite consent of the Chief Instructor
• It is allowed to make pictures for personal use.
• Do not disturb the training to make pictures

• Respect the dojo by
  – taking home or throwing away your garbage
  – taking home or throwing garbage from other participants
  – properly storing materials like hojo undo equipment, mats, benches.
• Make sure you contribute to Sōji (掃除), the ritual to clean to dojo.

• Keep yourself fresh and your nails trimmed.
• Wash your karate-gi daily.
• No washing machine? Take a shower with your gi.
• Use the dressing rooms to change your clothes, also when it is busy.
• Do not take your gi off in the dojo, unless training sanchin kata.