Spring 2013 Training Schedule

We will continue practicing on MWF evenings from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Lloyd Gym on the Mount Vernon Campus. As part of our training, we sweep the dojo floor together before each class. Please come to the dojo at least 10 minutes prior to class in order to help sweep the floors.

Free Two Week Trial Period

We will offer a free two week trial period of beginner classes to all GW students beginning on Wednesday, January 23. If you are interested, please wear comfortable workout clothing and come at least 15 minutes before the start of practice on January 23 to fill out waiver forms and find out about basic protocol (how we line up and bow). If you decide to join, membership dues are $60 per semester plus a $15 annual fee (that is good from January to December) for membership in JKA/WF America, our parent organization. See below for more information on fees.

Information for JKA Black Belts

JKA Black belts coming to the club for the first time should bring a copy of their last JKA dan certificate to their first practice. If you do not have a JKA dan certificate, you must tie a white belt until after you take your first kyu test and Sensei adjusts your rank.

Spring Practice Schedule

Below is our Spring 2013 practice schedule.

For directions to GW's Mount Vernon Campus, please click here. A free shuttle bus (the Vern Express) to/from the Mt. Vernon Campus is available from GW's main campus in Foggy Bottom (pickup in front of Funger Hall on G Street between 22nd and 23rd Streets, NW). Please get off at the first shuttle stop (and walk back towards the street). The Lloyd Gym will be on your right before you reach Whitehaven Parkway. Please click here for more info.

Enrollment

Beginners and those with previous martial arts experience (not JKA) should try to come to every class during the first several weeks of classes when a senior student will teach the basics of JKA in a separate class just for beginners and newcomers to JKA. Please dress in comfortable workout clothes or wear a white dogi (uniform) and a white belt if you have one. Everyone should remove all jewelry (rings, necklaces, earrings, etc.) during class for safety reasons.

For those with prior JKA experience, please bring a copy of your last kyu or dan certificate to your first practice and give it to Faculty Advisor Cynthia Haramoto. If you have trained with another non-JKA dojo, please bring a copy of your last kyu or dan certificate. Please note that if you do not have an official JKA dan or kyu certificate, you must start by tying a white belt. Your rank will be adjusted after your first kyu examination with Sensei Haramoto. Once you have been a JKA 1st kyu for at least six months, you will be eligible to take a JKA shodan test.

If you have any questions, you may also send an e-mail message to our current President Jessica Yi by emaling the club's email address at gwu.jka@gmail.com or you may email Sheila Kwong (immediate past President) at skwong@gwmail.gwu.edu.

Fees

Membership dues are $60 per semester and can be paid in cash or check. We do not accept credit cards or GWorld card payments. Dues must be paid on your first day of practice unless you are a GW student trying out the club during our free two week trial period. Additionally, all members must pay an annual fee of $15, which is for membership in JKA/WF, our parent organization. Brown and black belts must also pay for a passport and renew their passports annually. The fee for a passport is $50. The annual fee to renew one's passport is $15.

Students who wish to take the kyu exam at the end of the semester (i.e. those who wish to be promoted to the next rank) must wear a gi (karate uniform), which can be purchased at any martial arts store or online and must be a member of JKA/WF, our parent organiziation. One of our members has access to a website and can help students obtain inexpensive gis. Kyu exam fees are $28 per person.