White Belt
MEET GIGO
Gigō is your “SENSEI SAYS” guide to to learn karate. Born in Okinawa, he is the son of the founder of shotokan, Master Funakoshi. Gigo serves as a symbolic mentor and spirit sensei for Viola Karate, blending tradition, imagination, and values into a character that inspires students—especially youth. His role is deeply rooted in both karate heritage and the “Black Belt in Life” philosophy promoted by the Viola family. His expressive poses and karate techniques demonstrate proper form, spirit, and etiquette in a fun and engaging way. He’s a visual reminder that karate is not just physical—it’s character development.
Finally, Gigo is more than a character—he’s a mascot of motivation, reminding students that:
“A Black Belt is a white belt who never gave up.”
Through every image and story, he silently passes on the legacy of perseverance and purpose, echoing the heart of Viola Karate’s mission.
Intellectual property: Gigo™ Ginger™ Marcos™ are trademark characters of SENSEI SAYS ®
MEET GINGER
Ginger is Gigo’s cousin from America, who settled in the small town of Irwin, PA. She will also guide you through your karate journey. Ginger, the red-haired cousin of Gigo, serves as a symbol of strength, spirit, and sisterhood within the Viola Karate universe. As a mentor figure, she plays a unique and powerful role—especially for young girls in martial arts—by embodying both traditional karate values and modern leadership.
Ginger represents courage, self-esteem, and personal empowerment. With her fiery red hair and determined spirit, she shows students—especially girls—that strength comes in many forms. She mentors by example, teaching that:
“Confidence is a black belt you wear on the inside.”
As Gigo’s cousin, Ginger isn’t just family—she’s his training partner, equal, and motivator. She stands side by side with him, showing the importance of teamwork, encouragement, and humility. Her presence teaches students that martial arts is a community, not a competition.
Intellectual property: Gigo™ Ginger™ Marcos™ are trademark characters of SENSEI SAYS ®
KAMAE-TE
SIDE SNAP KICK
WATASHI WA
HIGH BLOCK
FRONT SNAP KICK
HORSE STANCE
KIAI
CHAMBER
SAMURAI
STEPPING PUNCH
FUNAKOSHI FOOT
LEFT LEG/SIDE
The “FUNAKOSHI” foot is a fun play on a photo at our dojo. On the students LEFT side is a portrait of Master Funaksoshi (the founder of Shotokan Karate).
We teach the kids to step with their FUNAKOSHI foot because it is closest to the photo and their LEFT side.
HEIAN SHODAN begins with FUNAKOSHI FOOT!
MASTER FUNAKOSHI
KAIZEN 1%
In Sensei Bill Viola’s Common Sensei book, the concept of Kaizen is introduced as a foundational life philosophy rooted in continuous self-improvement.”
Sensei Bill explains Kaizen not just as a martial arts principle but as a mindset for everyday life — getting just 1% better each day.
1% 0f 24-hours is just 864 SECONDS
NINJAS commit to practicing at home for 1% of their day!
Rather than striving for perfection overnight, Kaizen encourages small, consistent steps forward. In the dojo, this might mean mastering a new technique. In life, it could be making better choices, developing good habits, or learning from failure.
From Common Sensei:
“A black belt is a white belt who never quit. Kaizen is what keeps them going — that belief that even when it feels slow, they’re still making progress.”
HEIAN SHODAN IS NOT REQUIRED FOR YELLOW STRIPE
If your child is an over achiever or takes private lessons, they may know some or all of HEIAN SHODAN. *On rare occasions a student can skip the yellow stripe and go straight to yellow belt. That would require knowing the full heian shodan AND both yellow stripe and yellow belt VOCAB words. See Sensei if this is something you are considering. Normal progression is yellow stripe. READ MORE
HEIAN SHODAN
平安初段
HEIAN = PEACEFUL / SHODAN = BEGINING LEVEL – Front View
The first “Kata” is a memorized pattern of basic karate techniques. The performance is to simulate an imaginary fight.
HEIAN SHODAN
平安初段
HEIAN = PEACE / SHODAN = BEGINING LEVEL – Back View
The first “Kata” is a memorized pattern of basic karate techniques. The performance is to simulate an imaginary fight.
HEIAN SHODAN :
Heian Shodan – 21 movements.
- Bow (rei)
- Ready “focus position” stance
- Announce Kata name “Heian Shodan”
- Turn left 90 degrees, left front stance, left low (downward)
- Step forward into right front stance, right middle lunge
- Turn right 180 degrees into right front stance, right low (downward) block, right arm circles into a downward hammer fist
- Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch
- Turn left 90 degrees into left front stance, left low (downward) block
- Step forward into right front stance, right rising block
- Step forward into left front stance, left rising block
- Step forward into right front stance, right rising block, KIAI (spirit yell)
- Turn left 270 degrees in left front stance, left low (downward) block
- Step forward into right front stance, right middle lunge punch
- Turn right 180 degrees into right front stance, right low (downward) block
- Step forward into left front stance, left middle lunge punch
- Turn left 90 degrees into left front stance, left low (downward) block
- Step forward into right forward stance, right middle stepping punch
- Step forward into left front stance, left middle stepping punch
- Step forward into right forward stance, right middle stepping punch, KIAI
- Turn left 270 degrees into left back stance, left middle knife (shuto block)
- Turn right 45 degrees into right back stance, right middle knife hand (shuto block)
- Turn right 135 degrees into right back stance, right middle knife hand guarding (shuto block)
- Turn left 45 degrees into left back stance, left middle knife hand (shuto block)
- Bring left foot back to right foot, return to ready stance – Yoi
*The last 4 Shuto blocks we call the “K” formation. When performed they make the letter K. Sensei Says Tip: Tell your child which “foot” to step with on the K formation. From the kiai punch follow these steps:
- Back foot
- Back foot
- Front foot
- Back foot
To complete the “K”