D I S C I P L I N E

The primary lesson that each student learns in karate is discipline. Since the Washington Shotokan Association (WSA) is a Japanese martial arts facility—and Shotokan itself is a Japanese art—there are many expectations that are strongly reinforced and not tolerated if disobeyed.
Respect your elders: It doesn’t matter who they are, what they look like or what they say. If they are older than you, you are to give them your utmost respect and that’s final. This is mostly geared toward the teacher, or sensei, who is taking their time out of their day for your benefit of learning karate. Because this rule is so strongly enforced, I grew up naturally knowing to respect my elders including my friends parents, teachers and coaches. Because of the discipline I learned from karate, I know to always refer to adults as “Mr., Ms., or Mrs.,” rather than calling someone by their first name, which to me, is very rude.

Don’t Object to an Instructor Even If They’re Wrong: One day during a class me and my fellow classmates were being taught how to do a side kick. My instructor told the entire class the wrong technique to successfully execute the kick but no one spoke out to correct him even though we all knew what he was saying was wrong. This is because correcting the teacher is a HUGE sign of disrespect. Calling the teacher out—so to speak—is very rude and embarrassing and is simply unheard of at WSA; you simply continue to do your best, show spirit and stay quiet. I was able to apply this lesson in school and sports when my coach or teacher would explain something the wrong way; even if they’re wrong, I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut. They can correct themselves if need be but if they never do, so be it.

Borrowed from google images.

Andre Dulce Black Belt Dojo Kun Do Your Best Sensei Show Spirit

This web site is being created for CTW 1 at Santa Clara University with Marc Bousquet.