Dojo etiquette
The following are basic rules on how
to conduct oneself in the dojo. There are rules of etiquette that should
practiced. Don't be concerned if you cannot remember all the rules simply
follow a more senior student's lead, and, if in doubt, bow.
1) The bow:
If standing; bend forward at the
waist. You should retain eye contact with the person to which you are
bowing. If kneeling, place your hands flat on the floor in front of you so
that your fingertips are touching or overlapping. Touch your forehead to
your hands.
2) Sitting:
Kneel and sit back on your ankles.
Some people allow their feet to overlap so that the toes of their left foot
cross over the toes of their right. Whenever sitting in class, sit with your
legs crossed; never sit with your legs outstretched.
3) Entering/exiting the dojo:
Face the room and bow as you enter or
exit the dojo.
4) Stepping on/off the mat:
Always take off your shoes before you
step on the mat. Face the centre of the mat and bow before you step on or
off the mat.
5) Start of class:
Line up in rows, facing the
instructors. White belts are at the rear and to the left hand side of the
more senior students, more advanced students
will be in front of the white belts with the highest ranking to the
right of the class.
6) End of class:
Line up in rows, facing the
instructors. White belts are at the rear to their left, more advanced students
will be in front of the white belts with the highest ranking to the
right, students remain in line after the class has ended until each of the
higher grades have bowed off the mat to the preceding graded students, in
turn each grade will bow off the mat and the next grade down will bow in
return, this will be repeated until all grades are off the mat.
7) Working with a partner:
Show respect by bowing to your partner
both before and after working together..
8) The tap:
This is not really a rule of
etiquette, but a very important safety rule. If you are in pain or placed in
a dangerous position, tap your partner, yourself or the mat so that your
partner is aware that you wish him or her to stop. This means that the tap
should be loud and/or distinctly felt. If you are incapable of taping then
say tap tap.
9)
Safety:
It is the responsibility of all
students to maintain a safe environment. When you feel uncomfortable about a
technique the correct/safe thing to do is to pass. Inform the instructor
whenever you feel that another student is not working safely. Notify sensei
(the instructor) before each class if you have any mental or physical
limitations that may restrict the techniques that are safe for you to
receive and/or do to others.
10)
Injuries:
Do not leave the mat
to attend to injuries without notifying the sensei as to
why you are leaving. Some Injuries can be avoided by not wearing jewellery
during practice, including rings, watches and pierced earrings.
11) Joining/leaving classes in
progress:
In order to join a class in progress
stand at the edge of the mat and wait for the instructor to bow you on. When
you must leave before class is concluded tell the instructor you wish to bow
off before leaving the mat. Whenever you leave the mat (regardless of the
reason or expected duration), stand at the edge of the mat and make eye
contact with the sensei. Wait for the sensei to bow to you before leaving
the mat. If you arrive late or must leave early, first
receive recognition from your instructor
12) On the mat:
Never stand around
idly on the mat. You should be practicing or, if necessary, quietly awaiting
your turn.
Keep talking on the
mat to an absolute minimum, Fingernails and toenails must be short. Feet
must be clean.
13)
Straightening your ghi.
From time to time
your ghi may come loose and look untidy, you should kneel on your left
knee to smarten yourself and to tighten any loose belts etc.
14) Respect for the Instructor:
The instructor should
be referred to as Sensei during class instruction and not by his/her first
name. During class when the instructor demonstrates a technique for
practice, observe attentively, after the demonstration bow to the
instructor, then to a partner and immediately begin to practice.
15) The Art stays on the mat:
Much of what we practice routinely
with each other will seriously injure the uninitiated. It is not to be
demonstrated or practiced on others outside the dojo.
