Karate schools who don't use Gi's

[chrissyp]

This inspired by the other topic, but what's you opinion of schools who let their students wear anything they want in the dojo?

My School does this, she only reinforces it for competition training, but most times we wear whatever....

and it's not because my Sensei is against tradition/doesn't like them, it's because she teaches everything out pocket mostly, she knows Gi's can be expensive, specially when you're dealing with low income families.

Just wondering thoughts on this.

[tsuru24]

Same at my school- you don't have to wear a gi, although it's encouraged after you get to a certain level. I think that, like your Sensei, ours understands that not everyone can easily afford one, especially when several students are unemployed or if they're children, they come from large families. I think you have to adapt to the situation of your students to a certain extent, and as long as you wear proper gym/sports clothes it's fine to train, although I definitely think gi should be worn in competitions or anywhere you're representing your dojo, even if you have to borrow one!

[Nidan Melbourne]

I like how most schools don't wear gi's except for comps. cause your not always going to be wearing your GI outside the dojo so you understand how effective your techniques are in civilian clothing.

Although my school we require all students wear a GI. But the cost of the GI and signing up is a grand total of $35 combined. Even if you don't want to continue with training you get to keep the uniform

[ps1]

I think there are arguments both ways. There is certainly value in training without the gi. Wearing civilian clothes, especially when practicing self defense, is extremely valuable.

I don't really feel that cost is a true factor. As a business owner, I can get a low cost gi for $20 each. Most people have $20. So your instructor could just not mark up the uniform. If you're so low income that you can't spare the $20, you should probably not be paying to train karate either. IMO.

What the gi does very well is act as a uniform. That is, there are many people I've met over the years in Karate and jiu-jitsu that I probably would not have associated with otherwise. Uniforms help to break down social barriers and stigma. The gi is good in this regard.

I think it's good to have a blend of both. In the end, it's just going to matter how "traditional" you really want to be.

[CredoTe]

I think there are arguments both ways. There is certainly value in training without the gi. Wearing civilian clothes, especially when practicing self defense, is extremely valuable.

I don't really feel that cost is a true factor. As a business owner, I can get a low cost gi for $20 each. Most people have $20. So your instructor could just not mark up the uniform. If you're so low income that you can't spare the $20, you should probably not be paying to train karate either. IMO.

What the gi does very well is act as a uniform. That is, there are many people I've met over the years in Karate and jiu-jitsu that I probably would not have associated with otherwise. Uniforms help to break down social barriers and stigma. The gi is good in this regard.

I think it's good to have a blend of both. In the end, it's just going to matter how "traditional" you really want to be.

Great post We have several low-income families as part of our dojo family. When they expressed concern over affordability of gi's or monthly fees, we found other ways to work it out with them. For instance, when one needed a gi but couldn't buy one, the dojo bought it for them, and then they worked to pay it back (staying after to help clean dojo, set up, etc.) It's a great way to show both charity and respect for the work ethic it takes to earn a dollar.

[Kusotare]

In my dojo, students will often hand down their old gi's to younger students once they have grown out of them.

Regarding training in civies - from a self defence perspective - this is done even today - by some of the oldest Koryu dojo in Japan

I know there is an Araki-ryu dojo for example that train in jeans and T shirst now and then just to make sure their techniques will work if they are clothed this way.

K.

[ps1]

In my dojo, students will often hand down their old gi's to younger students once they have grown out of them.

Regarding training in civies - from a self defence perspective - this is done even today - by some of the oldest Koryu dojo in Japan

I know there is an Araki-ryu dojo for example that train in jeans and T shirst now and then just to make sure their techniques will work if they are clothed this way.

K.

90% of my sogo bujitsu training was in civilian clothes. This was conducted in the Renbukan (the name of our glorified garage). If we went into the SeiShinKan (actual formalized dojo) then we wore gi.

[Kusotare]

In my dojo, students will often hand down their old gi's to younger students once they have grown out of them.

Regarding training in civies - from a self defence perspective - this is done even today - by some of the oldest Koryu dojo in Japan

I know there is an Araki-ryu dojo for example that train in jeans and T shirst now and then just to make sure their techniques will work if they are clothed this way.

K.

90% of my sogo bujitsu training was in civilian clothes. This was conducted in the Renbukan (the name of our glorified garage). If we went into the SeiShinKan (actual formalized dojo) then we wore gi.

It's a complex one actually.

The primary objective for anyone that trains in a koryu is to keep the tradition going, however that doesn't mean approaches shouldn't change.

The key thing is the core principles or the ryu-ha remain intact!

It's a mistake to think the art shouldn't evolve.

K.

[CredoTe]

In my dojo, students will often hand down their old gi's to younger students once they have grown out of them.

Regarding training in civies - from a self defence perspective - this is done even today - by some of the oldest Koryu dojo in Japan

I know there is an Araki-ryu dojo for example that train in jeans and T shirst now and then just to make sure their techniques will work if they are clothed this way.

K.

90% of my sogo bujitsu training was in civilian clothes. This was conducted in the Renbukan (the name of our glorified garage). If we went into the SeiShinKan (actual formalized dojo) then we wore gi.

It's a complex one actually.

The primary objective for anyone that trains in a koryu is to keep the tradition going, however that doesn't mean approaches shouldn't change.

The key thing is the core principles or the ryu-ha remain intact!

It's a mistake to think the art shouldn't evolve.

K.

Absolutely! Great post