Here are few things about Dojo etiquette . . .
- When entering and leaving the dojo, students bow. This is a tradition of showing respect.
- When approaching the mat, students also bow respectfully.
- Students should assemble at least five minutes before the class is scheduled to start.
- When the class is called, line up by rank on the mat with seniors to the right (when facing the front of the dojo); students without uniforms, please line up with us, to the left of people in Aikido uniforms.
- The students will be asked to seiza, which is to kneel on the mat.
- When the instructor comes onto the mat, he and the students bow to O-Sensei’s picture, showing respect for the founder of Aikido. The students then bow to the instructor, formally opening the class.
- We usually start with warm up exercises and do eight of each type. Do as many as you comfortably can. We only ask that you do the first and the last of each set.
- To assist you in learning the new patterns associated with Aikido, a senior student will often buddy with you during the warm ups and you will usually receive individualized instruction during your first two to four weeks.
- Techniques are practiced with a partner. Your partner is not an opponent. Techniques are learned through him/her and with him/her.
- When changing partners during class, you should acknowledge both the partner you are leaving as well as your new partner with a bow.
- Care should be taken to be aware of the ability of your partner so that no injuries occur.
- At the end of class, the instructor and students bow to O-Sensei’s picture, then the students bow to the instructor.
- It is proper to ask the instructor for permission to practice when arriving late for class, or for permission to leave early.
- A few DON’Ts: lie on the mat; lean against the walls; sit with your legs stretched out; wear rings or watches; chew gum; or have long finger or toenails.
- When observing class, spectators should remain quiet out of respect for the instructor and practicing students.
A few more tips on how to behave in the dojo:
Dress:
- Wear bare feet and freshly washed, clean, loose fitting, durable clothing.
- Upon promotion to 7th Kyu, students may wish to obtain the traditional white “budo-gi.”
- Gi’s should be kept clean and in good repair and free of offensive odours. Suggested minimum guideline: wash once/week, however at all times, inside cuffs and collars as well as gi’s should appear clean. Upon receiving a new gi, participants are allowed up to 3 weeks for natural shrinkage time through regular washing, after which sleeves and cuffs should be hemmed to appropriate length for safety. If gi’s don’t come clean, it’s time to obtain a new one.
- No jewellery or other objects, apart from regular clothing and eyewear, is to be worn during training.
- Wear socks, sandals or shoes when on the dojo floor.
- The wearing of colour grade belts from other martial arts and styles by members is considered to be disrespectful.
Personal Hygiene:
- Individuals should practice clean personal hygiene, have recently showered, have clean hair and use scent free products wherever possible as we are in close contact with each other.
- Individuals should have freshly washed clean hands (and clean feet).
- Please keep your finger and toe nails cut short so people don’t get cut.
- Foot and hand health: please keep your hands and feet fungus and wart free.
- Please inform Sensei if you have been diagnosed with an infection.
- Gum chewing in the dojo is not permitted.
- Having drinking water for personal use off the mat during breaks is encouraged.
Routine:
- All members are responsible to help with putting out and removal of the mats at the beginning and end of each class.
- The mats will be washed with a vinegar/water solution before class during the first full week of each month. Everyone is expected to participate in the washing of the mats. Mats will also be spot cleaned as necessary during the intermediary times and washed as needed due to health issues during the normal course of events.
- While Sensei demonstrates, students may sit in seiza (kneeling) or anza (cross-legged).
- Training partners practice techniques right and left side and then uke and shite switch. This is repeated until Sensei calls for a new technique. Senior partner practices as shite first.
Etiquette:
- The Universe is our greatest teacher, our greatest friend.
- Rei – respect is integral to everything that Aikido stands for.
- Students are encouraged to pursue a healthy lifestyle.
- Do not engage in rough-housing or needless contests of physical or mental strength during class.
- Please be respectful during instruction by paying attention to Sensei.
- Please stop and return to seiza at the edge of the mat furthest from the Shomen as soon as Sensei indicates.
- It is important to follow the guidelines for bowing as this shows respect for one’s training partner(s).
- In training, people are asked to maintain quiet during the actual performance of the technique unless there is a safety issue. This allows people to develop the required skills of flow and the ability to move from within. Training partners should talk quietly as necessary before and after techniques.
- In kakari geiko (group practice) training, people are asked to maintain quiet in the dojo during the actual performance of techniques if waiting in line-up in order not to distract the people doing the techniques or Sensei who is watching for safety issues.
- What conversation there is in the dojo should be restricted to one topic – Aikido.
- Aikido is training! Remember that you are here to learn, and not to gratify your ego. An attitude of receptivity and humility [though not obsequiousness] is therefore advised. Please leave teaching to Sensei.
- Please save questions about actual performance of techniques for Sensei.
Behaviour:
- Practice Aikido with Harmony.
- Participants are asked to work together with training partners as both uke and shite in the spirit of co-operation with a respectful, patient, courteous, kind, harmonious attitude.
- Participants are asked to work within the guidelines of Sensei.
- It is important to avoid aggression and/or force in techniques. When Aikido is done properly, a person wonders how they ended up laying on the mat. No-one is injured, and there is no pain.
- Participants must be sober and substance-free while on the mat.
- There are no competitions in Aikido. Bullying and roughness is not allowed. Sexual harassment or advances will not be tolerated. The mat is not a place to date.
- Disruptive behaviour is not acceptable, including, but not limited to being the instigator of disharmony and conflict.
- Odours: Do not wear perfume. Wash your uniform regularly.
- Jokes, harassment or intolerance regarding ethnic background, gender, etc. are not allowed.
- Personal safety in all relationships and areas of life is important, and verbal, mental, spiritual, physical or sexual transgressions will not be accepted in the dojo and should not be accepted from anyone anywhere regardless of the type of relationship.
- Live blades and other weapons are not allowed in the dojo.
- Registration forms/insurance waivers must be signed to be on the mat.
Bowing:
Bowing is a traditional Japanese greeting and sign of respect and should be done when:
- Entering or leaving the dojo (standing)
- Stepping onto or off the mat (standing)
- At the beginning and ending of each class (formal kneeling with Sensei)
- When starting and finishing a technique with a partner (standing or kneeling)
- Serious practitioners bow in greeting to the teachers and other students.
Training Together:
Please bring any issues or concerns promptly to the attention of Sensei.
What we learn today, we can teach another the next day. We do this by leading people’s minds silently through example, by guiding and showing rather than critiquing unless there is an immediate safety issue involved. We blend with each other, keeping in mind other people might be working on their hands or their minds because that is what they need – while we are focusing on feet. This harmonious attitude encourages ki, flow and learning.