🥋 Seminar Uniform Etiquette:

Why I Separate My Club Brand From My Guest Teaching

When I teach seminars outside my own dojo, I follow a respectful and professional uniform policy. It’s based on the idea that a martial artist should honour the environment they are entering while still representing their system with integrity.

To make this clear, I separate:

• Jissenkō Ryū Karate — the system and style I teach

• Voracious Karate — the brand and identity of my own organisation

Because these are not the same thing, the uniform I choose depends on the type of event and what is appropriate for the host.

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1. Teaching in a Single Dojo (Their Home Environment)

When I am invited into a dojo to teach a seminar, I treat that space as someone else’s home. Out of respect, I will normally wear a neutral, unbranded uniform, such as:

• White gi trousers

• A black gi jacket

• My rank belt

This avoids:

• bringing another club’s branding into their space

• the impression of advertising or recruiting

• overshadowing their dojo identity

• any unnecessary politics

A neutral uniform keeps the atmosphere respectful and allows the seminar to focus purely on martial arts.

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However:

If the host dojo clearly says they don’t mind me wearing my brand, then I may choose either:

• my neutral seminar uniform, or

• my Voracious Karate Sensei uniform

I will make the choice based on the tone of the event and the comfort of the host.

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2. Multi-Club Seminars and Larger Events

When teaching at events where multiple clubs, instructors, and organisations are present, the context changes.

These are neutral gatherings, not the territory of any single dojo.

At events like these, instructors typically:

• wear their organisation’s colours

• represent their brand

• display their symbols or patches

• show their dojo identity proudly

Shotokan, TKD, BJJ, Kyokushin — all do this.

In this setting, it is completely appropriate and fully expected for me to wear my Voracious Karate Sensei uniform.

It isn’t about advertising — it’s about clearly representing the organisation I lead among other instructors who are doing the same.

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3. Why This Policy Exists

My approach is guided by three key principles:

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Respect

A single dojo deserves neutrality unless the instructor explicitly welcomes my brand.

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Professionalism

At multi-club events, every instructor represents their own organisation — and so should I.

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Clarity

Uniforms send a message. I make sure the message fits the situation.

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4. In Summary

When teaching inside a single dojo:

• I will default to a neutral uniform.

• If the host says they don’t mind me wearing my brand, I may choose neutral or VK.

When teaching at multi-club or national seminars:

• I will wear my Voracious Karate Sensei uniform, just as other instructors wear theirs.

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⭐Final Thought

Uniform etiquette isn’t about strict rules — it’s about understanding context and showing respect while representing your system with pride.

Whether neutral or branded, the goal is always the same:

To honour the host, maintain professionalism, and share martial arts in the most respectful way possible.