No Gi?

My instructor is as conservative as they come, he was trained in Japan and went through the Japanese college system as well, he is in his 60's and his primary teachers were Mano, and Otsuka. His view on the gi and the view I get from the very traitional Japanese instructors is this. To train in Karate you need loso fitting clothes that give free body movement, and expose the wrists, and ankles. That is all. In the Dojo you wear a gi to promote unity and so nobody is conscious of class everyone is equal. Clothes can represent relative afflence or poverty. When you train you should be mindfull of the effects of a gi, first it allows grabbing and throwing without actually grabbing the arm or wrist preventing injury. You should also train in different clothes so you do not rely on the gi to make sharpness. Sometimes in the summer he will have me wear trunks and a t-shirt to train, once I came from work in a shirt and tie and he said don't change clothes, he had me go in the back and practice makiwara in my tie and shirt with dress pants. Te other thing he has told me is that you wear as light a gi as possible for training and kumite competition, and as heavy a gi as possible for kata competition.

A friend of mine's sensei every so often would surprise the advanced class by not letting them change into their gis and conducting the class in whatever street clothes they happened to be wearing. He said it was an eye opener in regards to how restrictive street clothing could be and the effect of wearing shoes (Leather soled shoes slipped and slid, loafers would twist all to hell and trip people and sneakers held to the floor all too well. A couple of people came close to wrenching their knees when round kicking while using sneakers).

The Gi in our dojo is always worn during regular classes, but when our competition guys train on Saturday from 1-3 they don't usually wear any. It's usually shorts and a T shirt for those guys. That class is rough, they do fight with gloves, shin guards and head gear but it's full contact. Most of the guys that train on that day usually fight in MMA and grappling tournaments. I'd say most are in their early 20's, I know one that is turning pro by next year.

Sanchin31 I agree with the 3/4 sleeve. I roll them up almost to my elbows.

Thanks again everybody.

Fighting or working drills in street clothes is an excellent idea bing thats the attire you will have to use the techniques in. And I'll add being taught the mindset that these are technique we use to spar/play and these are what we use to fight with. I know it should be reasoned out but some people you have to spell it out to, I had a Brown belt thats always tried to use jump spin back kick ..., thats another story. Some people you gotta show them and spell it out.

We must always wear ours. But, to be honest, I find them overly restrictive, funny looking, and just plain uncomfortable.

Give me some sweat pants and a t-shirt any day.

The whole reason you wear a Gi is to show that everyone has come together in union to be taught by a Sensei. You never discard your belt if you are the Sensei to show you are the example that your students should follow. this is still my own opinion. I think that you should feel that everyone who trains in your dojo are your family. In Mine there are 3 16 year olds (me included) and 5 small children the youngest being 5 and i feel as if they are my little brothers and sisters and i must protect them. Is It wrong to feel this way?

Train however you like. You don't need anybody's permission.

People that train to fight should also be exposed to lessons in respect and discipline. The uniform is part of both of those. You show respect to your instructors, school and heritage by wearing the uniform that is required.

The school I train at has two uniforms. The Kata uniform is the traditional Gi. The sparring is a school T-Shirt and a light weight loose fitting pant.