Athens Yoshukai was founded in May 2006.  Athens Yoshukai is an official dojo of the World
Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization as directed by Master Yamamoto.  Athens Yoshukai adheres
to the principles and edicts of Yoshukai Karate and also seeks to expand knowledge of the martial
arts on the UGA campus.

     Sensei Erik Hofmeister is always looking for new students and is eager to speak with other
UGA/Athens sensei about martial arts on campus.  Visitors are always welcome and all that is
required to start is a sweatsuit and the motivation to learn martial arts.

     Class times are flexible and are designed to meet the students' needs.  If you are interested in
studying Yoshukai Karate but cannot make the current times, email Sensei Hofmeister with your
interest and changes may be made.

     Instruction is free.  Sensei Hofmeister feels that martial arts instruction is a basic life skill and, like
academic knowledge, should not be charged for, as the student's improvement is of value to
society as a whole.  Uniforms, testing, and miscellaneous materials must be purchased by the student.

     Yoshukai karate is a karate-do, as opposed to a karate-jitsu.  'Karate' means "open hand" and
'do' means "way of life" while jitsu means "martial art".  Therefore, karate-jitsu is "open hand martial
art" and karate-do is "open hand way of life".  Yoshukai karate isn't solely about fighting and
defending.  It is about improving yourself, learning mentally, spiritually, and physically.  Yoshukai
students can not merely perform the required techniques accurately, they must also have the
dedication and mental and spiritual focus to earn their higher belt ranks.

     Athens Yoshukai seeks to promote all martial arts on the UGA campus amd Athens and hopes
that all of the UGA/Athens dojo can respect eachother and cooperate constructively.

Osu!

• Bow when entering and leaving the dojo
• Bow towards the door whenever a brown or blackbelt enters the dojo
• Do not wear jewelry in the dojo for two reasons.  First, it can injure yourself or others during techniques.  Second, everyone in the dojo should be equal save their belt ranks and jewelry denotes additional social status.  Wedding rings are the only acceptable jewelry in the dojo.
• Do not fold your arms across your chest or put your hands on your hips.  Doing so is disrespectful as only Masters may do this.  Always fold your hands behind your back if you must.
• Respect all those of higher belts than you, whom you must address by their last name.
• Blackbelts can be addressed as "sensei", by their last names, or whatever they request that you call them.  3rd degree and higher blackbelts have special titles which should be used on formal bow-ins.
• No gum chewing in class.
• No profanity in the dojo.