Becoming a Member
The Budokai welcomes visitors and new members regardless of previous martial arts experience. Instructors and members are committed to sharing traditional karatedo with the UGA community in an environment that is safe, respectful, and supportive for all participants.
Membership is open only to UGA students, faculty, and staff. A valid UGAcard is required to participate. You must bring your UGAcard to each practice so that Ramsey Center staff can check you in.
Please arrive several minutes before the scheduled start of practice and present your ID at the check-in desk outside the Volleyball Arena. During the early weeks of the semester, you may be able to sign a tryout waiver at the check-in desk. Tryout waivers allow prospective members to start participating in practices immediately while online waivers and rosters are still being completed.
To become a member of the Budokai club, submit an online waiver form and then forward your waiver approval email to uga.budokai@gmail.com. Please follow these steps:
- Go to the UGA Involvement Network website.
- Sign in using the UGA Single Sign-On Service.
- Go to the Competitive Sports page.
- Scroll down to the Forms section of the page, where there are links to waivers for different clubs. Click on "5. Competitive Sports Waiver - Budokai, etc.". (You will not see links to waiver forms on this page unless you have signed in.)
- Complete and submit the online waiver form.
- Check your email for a message confirming that your waiver has been approved.
- Forward your waiver approval email to uga.budokai@gmail.com, including your UGA email address and phone number in your message, and ask to be added to the club roster. Within a few days you'll receive a reply confirming that you can start attending club practices.
- Bring your UGA ID card to each practice so you can check in.
If you have questions about joining the club, please email uga.budokai@gmail.com.
When Can I Join?
While most new members join the club at the beginning of the Fall or Spring semesters, you are welcome to start at any time. By joining near the beginning of an academic term, you are more likely to be part of a group of new members, which can improve learning and motivation. Whenever you join, you will receive some individualized coaching to orient you to the basics.
What Should I Wear?
T-shirts, shorts, sweats, and other ordinary workout clothes are fine for new members. Regular participants wear a clean, white gi without insignia or other ornamentation (an exception is the Ogasawara tomoe, which may be worn with the permission of instructors). The plain white gi symbolizes the equal status of all practitioners.
For safety, shoes, socks, watches, and jewelry should be removed prior to practice, and cellphones should be muted.
What Does It Cost?
Students who earn rank in the art pay modest test fees and a $25 annual registration fee to the Ogasawara-ha honbu dojo in Japan. No fees are charged for class participation. In exchange for instruction, members are expected to work hard and follow dojo protocol. The Dojo Kun (Precepts of Karate Training), attributed to Sakugawa, define the goals and conditions of our training:
- Seek Perfection of Character
- Defend the Path of Truth
- Endeavor to Excel
- Display Courtesy
- Refrain from Violent Behavior
What If I Train in Another Style?
Students with prior martial arts training are always welcome to visit or to become members of the Budokai. Guests may wear whatever uniform and belt they typically wear in their own schools. However, those who decide to train regularly in Shorinji Ryu should follow the dress guidelines given above. With the exception of currently active students from other Ogasawara-Ha Shorinji Ryu dojos, everyone begins Shorinji Ryu training as a white belt. During the history of the club, many participants with black belt ranks in other martial arts have chosen to pursue rank in Shorinji Ryu.
More Questions?
You can send us email at uga.budokai@gmail.com.