I have recently migrated to Goju kai but my credentials are such that I may from time to time be the senior student in class. Please help me with the correct opening and closing commands.

It SEEMS to follows as such:

1) Students stand and face shomen while the most senior students are at right angles. The Sensei is opposite the most senior students.

2) The command 'Ski' follows and while standing and facing shomen 'Mokusu'.

3) After 'mokusu, yame' students turn and face the Shihan. I think the command is then 'Surname and Shihan'.

4) Students turn to senior students and bow to them. (Unsure about command).

5) 'Otagani" and students face shomen and then 'Rei'.

Please help me as I as a migrator from another Goju Style where the commands are different would like to nail this procedure.

Ummm I'm more Goju-ryu background but our starting and ending procedures are different.

We have a standing formal bow in/out, and an informal bowing in/out. But also we have a bow in/out in seiza.

Our formal bowing in whilst standing isn't too special except where the instructors turn around and bow to the front.

In seiza:

1) Head Instructor commands Seiza

2) Mukuso (eyes closed)

3) Mukuso Naote (End meditation)

4) instructors turn and face front, Shomane Rei

5) Instructors turn to face students, highest ranked student says 'Sensei, Senpai otagani Rei or Kata Ni Rei' and then 'naote' to end the bow

6) Head instructor goes Otagni Rei.

But honestly speak to your sensei about correct procedure for it.

The protocol in our Goju Kai dojo is below. Please note, this varies slightly across dojos.

Students and teacher stand facing the front of the dojo.

1. With the command of seiza, everyone kneels. The black belts are at 90 deg. to the Sensei and students, on the right hand side of the dojo

2. Sensei uses the command Moku so – everyone closes their eyes and focuses on the training ahead or at the end of the class, reflect on what was taught. It is a meditation tool for emptying the mind and focusing on the training ahead or training that took place.

3. Sensei uses the command Moku so Yamae – everyone opens their eyes

4. First bow is to the dojo – (Shomai Ni Rei )

5. Second Bow is to Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi – ( Saiko Shihan Ni Taishte Rei)

6. Third Bow is to the Sensei (the senior most students calls this out and the instructor turns to face the students – (Sensei Ni Taishte Rei)

7. Fourth Bow is to the black belts – Sempai Ni Taishte Rei

8. Fifth Bow is to each other – Otoga Ni Rei

9. After this everyone stands up, with the highest grade standing up first followed by the others.

10. There is one final bow and class begins or ends.

Don't be afraid to ask, like said, this varies from school to school.