Instructors -Dojo Etiquette
Good Dojo etiquette is essential for smooth running of the class and also promotes respect and discipline.
1. Students must always arrive, dressed and ready to train, at least 5 minutes Before the class starts. If you are unavoidably late for the bow on A. bow to enter the dojo B. Kneel at the dojo entrance and recite dojo kun in your mind C. perform the bow on sequence. D. Stand and bow towards the sensie. E wait for the sensie to acknowledge your presence before joining thr class.
2. Always bow upon entering and leaving the dojo befoer and after addressing your sensie, or if your sensie addressing you, befoer and after performing various teckniques with each other.
3. If the sensie is not present, the sempai (the most senior of the class) will start the class. All students must follow the sempai as though he were the sensie.
4. You must inform the sensie/sempai of any kind of medical condition, or injury, as a student may be advised that a doctor's advice may be required prior to continuing training.
5. During the session , students must work with an attitude of serious and complete concentration. Laughing and talking cannot be permitted. Silence and seriousness during the session are two rules that must be followed if a high level of training is to be sustained.
6.Unless training has commenced, all students must bow to Udansha upon their arrival to the dojo.
7. Rapid movement is an essential part of the training, even as it pertains to lining up on comand. This habit of moving quickly, without wasted motion and effort, will also help keep the class working smoothly.
8. When not training i.e. during break etc. students must crossd-legged against the wall in the lower area of the dojo, or in the designated resting area.
9. You must always wear clean and pressed white GI. Club badge must be worn on the left side of your GI.
10. Only females and students with medical condition, may be permitted to wear a T-shirt white under thier GI.
11. No students should leave the DOJO during session. unless he has prior permission from a sensie or sempai, to do so( this is for reason of good ettiquette as well as health and saftey).
12. On command of line up students must line up in correct grade order.
13. If a student must stop work for any reason, then he must obtain permission from his Sensie.
14. All students must reply 'Hai-Sensie' after a comand has benn given. During training if you are approached by a Sensie for any reason , i.e. adjusting your technique etc; you must acknowledge the with 'Hai Sensie'.
15. Each student must report when temporrily discontinuing lesson, this is good etiquette.
16. If at any time during the training the student requires ti adjust his Gi or obi (belt) he must go down on one knee for the adjustment.
17. Seniority system : All students must be aware that a higher ranked member to you is your senior, and mut be obeyed as such while in the Dojo. Brown belts and lower graded black belts must be referred to as sempai at all times. They are the Dojo police force and are responsible for the discipline in the Dojo, so on going knowledge of the Dojo rules is of paramount importance (every Sempai must have a copy of Dojo rules to hand. Young as well as older sempai MUST show a good example. Examples are always followed. Black belts 3rd Dan and above, and any black belts who is teaching, is referred to as Sensie at all times. During practice no students should go directly without first attempting to gain the necessary knowledge from the grade up. Each student, however, should make the necessary endeavours to learn the answers from continued practice and observations. Sensie should be consulted only as a final option.
18. The motto of the Dojo. Practice hard in order to master the technique of true Karate-Do.
19. Finger and toe nails are to be short and clean.
20. No drinking, eating, smoking and no jewellery to be worn in the Dojo. Any jewellery, i.e, a bracelet/ring etc; that is difficult to remove MUS be safely covered.
21. A student who has undergone surgery, or who suffers from any kind of serious medical condition or injury, will not be permitted in to jiyu kumite or any form of stamina training. Your Sensie as well as your working partner/s, must also be made aware of any condition.
22. Respect and revere your parents and elders, respect other people. Respect property and all life. Also respect yourself.
23. A sensie is always is a Sensie, not just while he wears a Gi. He must be respected inside as well as out side the Dojo. If he is also your friend, do not take advantage of his friendship.
24. Never use Karate out side the Dojo, unless for self-defence. Understand the concepts of Karate-ni-Sentinashi.
