I would like to take a minute to discuss the importance of Class format and structure and how it impacts the teacher / student relationship while increasing the safety and overall experience for the students.  Consistency with class planning cannot be overstressed enough.  Many new instructors jump from one topic to another in an attempt to broaden their students knowledge.  This can be a mistake. Repetitiveness helps students learn skills. Jumping from topic to topic does not allow the student time to grasp the material.  A class that has structure, and by that I mean consistency in the format of how the class proceeds, decreases new students apprehensions and provides the instructor with the equal opportunity to work with more advanced students. By following an established path, the instructor creates a stable environment where learning can be achieved. A structured environment also helps new instructors avoid the appearance of showing off.  For new martial artists this concept may not be readily apparent, but is from the eyes of someone that has spent some time in the arts.  A confident instructor with solid class lessons and structure easily avoids the appearance of showing off (even if that's not his/her intention).  The adage teacher says, students do applies here (on and off the mat). By providing a stable environment a teacher sets the base for behavior in and out of the Dojo.  This environment makes the Dojo a safe place where students can develop at their own pace.

Here is the format I try to stick with.

Every class taught has the following sections: 

   Bowing In – In a dojo, a bow is a formal way of showing respect and implies no religious connotation.  When you bow to another, you show respect for yourself, where you are, and for those around you.  It is a simple way of saying thank you.  When a student first enters a dojo, they bow to show respect to the school.  Respect also is shown when exiting a dojo.  Bowing is expected whenever a student steps onto and off the mat and at the beginning and end of class instruction.  The bow is also executed at the beginning and ending of kata, when practicing with others, and when changing class lessons.  Each particular Ryu has it’s own variations on bowing with basis on why the bow is executed in their particular manner.  The underlying principal for all bows is always the same, showing respect.  

  Warm-up exercises - Atatamaru – Stretching and warm-up techniques performed in preparation for actual training. 

  Break falls - Break falls are designed to teach the student how to fall safely, without injury.  When practicing break falls, the student should flow with the momentum of the body, allowing the energy to dissipate over a large area.  The Break fall should be viewed and executed as if the student was a feather floating downward onto a pond, not like a brick being dropped down into the pond.

  Self Defense Katas - consisting of close front, side & far defenses as well as defense against strikes and kicks. These exercises are practiced slowly so that the student can learn each portion of the technique. 

  Individual Movement Katas – (defined by A Dictionary of the Martial Arts).  Kata is composed of “imaginary combats” against relatively slow-moving real or imaginary opponents.  They are constructed of sequences of basic, intermediate or advanced techniques which are meant to be performed with technical accuracy.  They are studied so that their nature, purpose and the teaching implicit in them may be understood.  They are practiced as much for the perfecting of technique as for the aesthetic experience to be derived from “beautiful movements”.

  Randori – Front, Side, and Rear Defenses with greater intensity.  Accurately defined, Randori is free-fighting training.

  Striking and Blocking exercises – As with Kata, these are performed slowly at first, then as with Randori, with greater intensity.

  Bowing Out – The final show of respect for yourself, where you are, and for those around you.  The simple way of saying thank you.