When entering the Dojo, after opening the door and stepping in - bow
When leaving the Dojo, before opening the door - face the training area and bow
When entering the dojo, take off your hat and shoes, dispose of chewing gum and stop any other distracting practices that might interrupt training. Visitors are also expected to observe these guidelines for conduct.
In the gathering room - talk in low voices as not to be heard in the dojo during class
Always place your shoes neatly on the shoe rack
Please remove all jewelry before entering the Dojo training area. It is easy to get scratched or cut from jewelry when sparring or practicing.
Never sit in chairs with the bottom of your feet facing the dojo. Showing the bottom of your feet to a Sensei is considered rude.
Bow upon entering and leaving the Dojo training room
Be sure to bow to Sensei when you first see him and bow when you are ready to leave.
The dojo is a place where we train. It is important to show respect to our Sensei by keeping it clean. If you see something out of place or messy - take a moment and clean it up. Also, in the same respect, if you make a mess, stop and clean it up
Bring your own towel to clean the dojo floor at the end of class
Eating, drinking, chewing gum, and using cell phones are not permitted in the dojo training area.
Never throw or drop your obi (belt) on the ground.
Never wash your obi.
Your obi is a symbol of your spirit and your rank.
Practice your kihon waza and kata consistently outside of class, even if it is just for a few minutes every day. This is the only way to improve your skill and physical conditioning.
Keep in mind that DOJO refers not only to the mat, but to the entire area inside the building. Maintaining quiet and practicing courtesy in the dojo pertains to all areas of the dojo.
Keep your toe nails and finger nails cut short at all times.
Always be sure your feet and hands are washed for training.
When training, you often work practice with other students so be aware of your cleanliness. Nobody likes to train with someone who is dirty.
Please pay your dues on time, Sensei has bills to pay like we do.
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During Class
Do not talk during class, raise your hand and bow to ask a question of Sensei
Junior students are expected to look to senior students for information and guidance.
Try to imitate the behavior of the senior students.
Treat the senior students with respect and consideration. Watch the senior students when they stand - you stand, when they sit - you sit. The higher rank students are always to your right.
Senior students are expected to set a good example for junior students. Senior students must protect the junior students from injury and help them learn. Senior students will treat everyone with same respect and consideration equally.
Pay attention during class. Don't daydream! Concentrate fully on karate while you are in the dojo - for this too is part of your training.
Don't be concerned with rank you are. It shows a lack of understanding why you are studying martial arts. Anyone can buy and wear a belt. Belts are meaningful only as signs of personal achievement. What is truly important is what you learn and what is inside yourself which has true meaning.
Be aware of the ability of your partner. Everyone can avoid injuries by keeping in mind that we are here to train and learn from each other.
At the start and finish of class, be sure your gi (uniform) is neat and tucked in.
Seiza - sitting on your knees. For Seiza, you kneel with the left leg first then the right. Place your open hands on the top part of your thighs, with your elbows in and your big toes crossed. When rising, you will step up with the right foot first and then the left to stand.
When returning to the back wall, e.g. during Kihon Kata, walk backwards so as not to turn your back on Sensei.
Make sure that you DON’T:
- lie on the mat, unless told to do so
- lean against the walls
- sit with your legs stretched out showing the bottom of your foot to Sensei
- wear rings, watches or jewlery
- chew gum or candy
- wear a dirty or torn uniforms
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Beginning of Class
Always respect the higher ranking belts - they are your Sempais. If you are the same rank as another, the person whom was promoted first has higher rank.
Stay focused in class, if Sensei is demonstrating something, stop what you are doing and watch quietly.
If Sensei asks you to do something, bow first and say "hi Sensei", telling sensei you understand and will do it immediately - always move as quickly as possible - do not stroll.
Learn all the Japanese words that you are asked to learn. This helps Sensei in teaching class.
It is very poor etiquette to question a teacher's or senior's authority or technical knowledge, and especially so during a class. If you are confused about something, ask respectfully.
When you greet a fellow student or an instructor, greet them by bowing.
Be prompt and arrive before class begins. If you arrive late for line-up, but before Sensei has come into the dojo, you should take your place in line after the white belts so as not to disturb the class.
If you arrive for class late (a practice that is not encouraged), it is proper etiquette to wait kneeling just outside the mat quietly, until Sensei invites you to join in. Once you enter onto the mat, you should warm up at the back of class, - run 6 lengths of the Dojo before joining in the warm-up. This is an excellent way of warming up quickly, and helps you to remind yourself to be on time in the future. Also line up on the end of the line as to not disturb the other students.
When Sensei is instructing the class, or if you wish to listen to an explanation given to another student in practice, you should stand quietly. When corrected by Sensei or another senior student, bow and say "Hi Sensei or Hi Sempai!"
If for any reason you must leave the dojo floor during practice, either temporarily or permanently, always ask sensei's permission to leave or return.
Always begin your training with your partner by bowing to each other and saying "Onegaishi Masu" (Please teach me). At the end of training say "Domo Arigato Gozaimashita" (Thank you very much for teaching me).
Never become angry, curse, raise your voice, swear, laugh, giggle, lounge or act inattentively during training. Treat your training seriously. Do not waste your time and everyone else's if you are not prepared to treat your training and your fellow karate-ka with respect and the seriousness deserved.
Talking during class is impolite. Talking interferes with what Sensei is explaining and with the concentration of other students. When discussion is necessary, keep it brief and quiet.
If you need to fix your gui during class. Bow and turn to the back of class. Fix your gui quickly and quietly. Turn and bow. Resume the activity.
If sitting at the back of class - never lean against the wall. This shows signs of weakness and sloppiness. Always sit up straight with your legs crossed.
When class is over, there is usually a warm down. The warm down exercises are performed in a series of 8 movements, we all count together with Sensei from 1 to 8 in Japanese.
Ending of Class
