Besides lots of sweating what can I expect in a traditional karate class

Traditional karate classes start with some form of formal etiquette. Generally this is in the form of a full routine of kneeling and bowing.

In a Traditional Karate Dojo the general structure of a class is as follows:

Junbi Undo/ Yubi Undo:  a systematic series of exercises used to warm up and stretch the body to prepare for the training to come.

Kihon/Kihon Ido/ Unsoku Ho

Kihon: basic techniques such as stances, blocks, strikes and combinations

Kihon Ido: basic techniques while moving

Unsoku Ho: footwork

Kata and Bunkai

Kata: There are some schools that have done away with kata practice choosing to stay with just fighting, putting forward the argument that Kata is pointless. However, with the utmost respect to them there are lessons in Kata that cannot be taught any other way and those that do not teach Kata do not teach the art of Karate, for without Kata there is no Karate and no Art. Kata is a series of movements based on principals of self-defense. Kata are executed as a specified series of a variety of moves, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. Kata are primarily practiced solo however there are variations practiced in pairs and some are practice in larger groups simulating multiple attackers. Kata is considered the soul of Karate and contains the self-defense techniques of the art.

Bunkai: Bunkai is the application of kata we practice with partners using realistic attacks. There are two types of bunkai. Kihon bunkai or basic/standard applications/interpretations and Oyo Bunkai variations on the standard applications as students’ progress they are taught more variations.

Additionally: Hojo Undo, Tanren and Kumite are included in some classes

Hojo Undo: supplementary training (will be covered in a later blog)

Tanren: Conditioning exercises (will be covered in a later blog)

Kumite: fighting (will be covered in a later blog)