Ritsu rei – Standing bow to sensei

Seiza – Sensei sits, the class in seiza facing front (shomen) and prepare for class. Head student (sempai) calls out:

Mokuso! This means “close your eyes and clear your mind” or meditates after about 45 – 60 seconds sempai will call out:

Kaimoku or Yame Mokuso! This means “open your eyes” or”finish meditation”.

Zarei – Is sitting bow of which the class will perform three. Sempai will call out!

Shomen ni rei! Bow to the front of the dojo. As the class finishes this bow Sensei will turn around and face the class and the sempai will call out:

Sensei ni rae! Bow to the teacher. As the class bows to the teacher the teacher will return the bow. As each student bows, They will say

“Onegaishimasu”. It means please teach me.

Otagai ni rei – Bow to each other. Both teacher and students will bow to each other at the same time. This shows that we are all students of the art of karare-do

At this point Sensei will indicate to the class to stand and begin class.