• General dojo Etiquette and Rules

A GENERAL HYGENE GUIDE FOR ALL STUDENTS

  • If you aren’t feeling well, have a headache, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, please don’t attend class, but do seek health advice from your doctor.

  • If you present with any symptoms during the days after class, please let us know, its all about keeping each other safe.

  • Personal hygiene is paramount, please also make sure your Gi is cleaned prior to every class.

  • Please wash your hands / use the hand sanitiser provided before class. 

  •  Bring your own named water bottle.

  • Do not be late to training, if you know that you will regularly be late (due to work etc) then let Sensei know

  • Remove shoes before entering the dojo

  • Bow to the shomen when entering and exiting the dojo

  • Bow to the shomen when walking on to and off of the mat

  • At the start of class we line up in rank, Sensei will be in front of the class facing the shomen, bow twice, clap twice, bow and wait for Sensei to say 'Onegai-shi-mas(u), and all the students respond 'Onegai-shi-mas(u) (while still bowing), and then raise to Sezia.

  • Bow to your partner before and after training together

  • No training on the mat before class (with the exception of stretching and warm up exercises)

  • Follow the instructions of the Sensei at all times

  • Do not diverge from the techniques and exercises set by the Sensei

  • Do not coach students while training unless asked to do so by the Sensei

  • All members, seventh kyu and above, are expected to wear a clean uniform with appropriate colours and insignia

  • Maintain a good standard of personal hygiene

  • Training while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited

  • Eating, smoking, swearing and anti-social behaviour in the dojo are prohibited

  • Inform the instructor of any damages or injuries

  • Remove watches and jewellery before training

  • Do not leave non-training related personal possessions in the dojo

  • Leave walkways clear of obstacles

  • Do not leave rubbish in the dojo

  • Assist in the cleaning of the mat area and dojo before or after class, or as directed.

  • General Training Etiquette

  • At the start of class we line up in rank, Sensei will be in front of the class facing the shomen, bow twice, clap twice, bow and wait for Sensei to say 'Onegai-shi-mas(u), and all the students respond 'Onegai-shi-mas(u) (while still bowing), and then raise to Sezia.

  • Address the instructor as Sensei (teacher).

  • Respond to general instructions and 'hajime' (begin) with 'hai' (yes - Pronounced 'hi').

  • Any questions should be directed to the instructor by raising a hand.

  • At the end of personal instruction from an instructor respond with a bow and 'arigato' ('thank you') or 'arigato gozai-mas(u)' (thank you very much)

  • 'Onegai-shi-mas(u)': A request to train spoken when pairing off with a training partner. This request is accompanied with a bow, whether standing (tachi) or in seated position (seiza).

  • Do not loiter when selecting a training partner.

  • 'Arigato-gozai-mas(u)' (thank you very much): This, accompanied with a bow, is to be said when ending training with a partner.

  • 'Arigato-gozai-mashita' (thank you very much for what you have done): This is to be said, following the traditional Iwama style bows/clap, at the completion of training, to Sensei/Instructor.

  • Etiquette for Weapons Training

  • Weapons may only be used under the instruction or with the permission of the instructor.

  • All weapons must be bowed in (facing shomen) before and after practice.

  • Edged and bladed should be bowed in and out with the edge facing towards you and the kashira (pommel) to the left.

  • Once the weapon has been bowed in it should be held in the left hand at the side when standing or placed on the mat at left when in seize. At the end of class when you bow out, the weapons should be placed or held on your right side after bowing out.

  • During practice ensure that there is enough distance between yourself and others around all sides.

  • Practice with control, follow all instructions for a technique, until advised otherwise.

  • While dojo weapons are available for training, graded members are advised to purchase their own (consult Dojo Cho Kerry Madden).

  • Always know where your personal weapons are and ensure they are in good condition, any splinters or cracking in a weapon then it must not be used, inform the instructor as serious injury can occur should a weapon fail.

  • Store all weapons off the mat when not in use.

  • Never use another's personal weapons without permission.