Kiosuke - Line Up
Seiza - Formal Seated Posture
Mokuto - Reflect (or meditate)
Yame - Stop or end
Sensei Ni Rei - Students and teacher bow (bow to the teacher)
Otagai Ni Rei - Students bow (bow to each other)
Kiritsu - Stand or rise
Taiso - Calisthenics

This procedure is done at the beginning and end of formal class, however, at the end of the class, TAISO is done first. This is to dissipate lactic acid which builds up in the muscle during strenuous exercise, causing them to tighten. By performing loosening out calisthenics after practice, the body becomes relaxed and is cooled down. When students do “Otagai Ni Rei”, at the beginning of class, they recite, “oneigai shimasu Sensei”. This means, “please do me a favor, teacher”. In this case, the students are in effect asking the teacher to do them the favor o honor or instructing them. This is a sign of respect. The phrase, “oneigai shimasu”, is also said by students to each other before practicing in pairs.

When students do “Otagai Ni Rei” at the end of class, they recite, “domo arigatto gozaimashita Sensei”, which means, “thank you very much, teacher”. The students are thanking the instructor at this time for guiding them in their training. When students finish an exercise which requires a partner, they simply say, “arigatto gozaimashita”. In this way, students and teacher stand, it is customary for them to bow to each other, once again at which time the teacher says, “ go kura sama deshita”, which means, “thank you for your trouble”. In this way, the teacher is showing his respect for the students, by thanking them for taking the time and trouble to practice with him and for being respective to his teachings.

When on assumes the formal seated posture (Seiza), the left knee touches the ground at the right heel and the right knee touches the ground with the instep of the foot resting on the sole of the left foot. The back should be straight and there should be approximately six inches of space between the knees. The palms of the hands should be placed on the thighs with the fingertips pointing inward.