Rules of the Dojo

Aikido is not a sport. It is a discipline, an educational process for training the mind, body and spirit. An Aikido dojo is not a gymnasium. It is the place where the way of the discipline is revealed. Physical technique is not the final objective, but a tool for personal refinement and spiritual growth. The correct attitude of respect, sincerity and modesty, and the proper atmosphere are essential to the learning process. And as Aikido is a martial way, they are essential to the safety of each individual. The following rules are necessary to the maintenance of this atmosphere and vital to your study of Aikido.

• Respect the Founder and his teachings. Respect the dojo, respect your instructor, training tools and training partners.
• Punctuality*: Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the class starting time to change into your gi and be ready to start when the sensei walks onto the mat. Late attendees may not be given attendance credit.
  • If you arrive late, bow to the shomen and sit in seiza outside the practice mat area until the instructor acknowledges you and permits you to join the class.
• No jewelry or watches should be worn during practice, including rings and chains – these pose a safety hazard to both you and your practice partner.
• Fingernails and toenails must be short. Feet must be clean.
• Shoes, slippers or sandals are never allowed on the mat.
• No eating, drinking, smoking or gum chewing on or off the mat during practice.
• No consumption of alcoholic beverages while still wearing practice gi.
• Talking on the mat should be kept to an absolute minimum.
• Students are required to wear a gi to practice – practice is not permitted without a gi unless it is the first week of attendance of the student and the student is in the process of purchasing a gi.
• ALL students are required to participate in mat cleaning activities as part of each class. Keeping the dojo clean is the responsibility of every student and cleaning time is an integral part of each class. Cleaning is an active prayer of thanksgiving. It is each student’s responsibility to assist in cleaning the dojo and to cleanse his or her own mind and heart.
• Practice good personal hygiene – come to class showered and clean with a freshly laundered gi. Students with unacceptable hygiene may not be assigned practice partners for a given class. Use of odorless antiperspirants and/or deodorants is strongly encouraged.
• Aikido of Chennai encourages debates on ideas, techniques, training methods and general topics – however, this principle does not extend to training time on the mat. During classes only the opinion/guidance of the instructor counts – students and/or visitors, regardless of rank/seniority, shall not question the instructor or disrupt an ongoing class.
• The dojo is a place for harmony and peace. Conflicts, aggression, ego, disrespect and bullying shall not be tolerated. Students indulging in any of these activities may be expelled from Aikido of Chennai and any paid up fees forfeit.
• The dojo is not to be used for any purpose other than regularly scheduled classes without the direct permission of the head instructor.
• Fees should be paid on time – it is the responsibility of each student to ensure that this is done without the sensei having to ask. You cannot buy technique – the fees are a way in which to show gratitude for the teaching received.

Proper Dojo Etiquette

Aikido is not a religion, but the education and refinement of the spirit. You will not be asked to only to remain spiritually open. When we bow it is not a religious performance, but a sign of respect for the same spirit of universal creative intelligence within us all.

The opening and closing ceremony of each Aikido practice is a formal bow directed to the shomen. This is to acknowledge and pay respect to O Sensei for having developed and shared the art of Aikido.

This is followed by a bow between the instructor and the students. The words spoken at the beginning of practice between students and instructor are, “Onegai shimasu.” Loosely translated it is a request by both instructor and student to one and another to “Please share your knowledge.” The words spoken by the student to the instructor at the end of practice are, “Domo arigato gozaimashita.” Which translates to “You have my respect and gratitude for what you have done.” This is the most respectful way of saying thank you.

• Upon entering and leaving the practice area of the dojo make a standing bow.
• Always bow when stepping on or off the mat in the direction of the shomen.
• Respect your training tools. Gi should be clean, odor free and mended.
• A few minutes before class time you should be warmed up and formally seated in quiet meditation to rid your mind of the day’s problems and prepare for study.
• The only proper way to sit on the mat is in seiza (formal sitting position). If you have a knee injury you may sit cross-legged, but never with legs outstretched, never reclining, and never leaning against walls or posts.
• Do not leave the mat during class except in the case of injury or illness – and even then, only with the permission of the instructor.
• During class when the instructor demonstrates a technique for practice, sit quietly and attentively in seiza . After the demonstration bow to the instructor, then to a partner and immediately begin to practice.
• When the end of the technique is signaled, stop immediately, bow to your partner and quickly line up with the other students.
• Never stand around idly on the mat. You should be practicing or, if necessary, seated in seiza awaiting your turn.
• If it is necessary to ask a question of the instructor you should go to him or her and bow respectfully (standing bow). Never call the instructor over to you.
• When receiving personal instruction, sit in seiza and watch intently. Bow formally when the instructor has finished. When another nearby is being instructed you may stop your practice to watch. Sit formally and bow as before.
• Respect those more experienced. Never argue about technique on the mat.
• Respect those less experienced. Do not pressure your ideas on others.
• If you understand the movement and are working with someone who does not, you may lead that person through it.

You are welcome to sit and watch a class at any time, but the following rules of etiquette must be followed.

• Sit respectfully, never with legs propped up on the furniture or in a reclining position.
• No one who is seated in the observation area may interfere or talk to the students during class. If that person has a question, he may speak to one of the higher ranking students after the class. Do not attempt to distract the students or the teacher during a class. If you wish to talk to the instructor, make an appointment.
• No person who is not a member may participate in any class. This includes parents or children of a student.
• Do not talk or walk around while the instructor is demonstrating or during the opening and closing ceremony.

Although there seem to be many forms of etiquette to remember, they will come naturally as you continue to train. Please do not feel any resentment if you are corrected on a point of etiquette for each one is important to your safety and to the learning experience.

Punctuality

• Classes begin and end exactly according to the times indicated.
• If you arrive late, change into your uniform and sit at the edge of the mat space. Wait until the sensei or instructor invites you onto the mat observing all of the etiquette related to entering the training area.
• Lack of punctuality is a serious problem. If you come late you disturb the entire class. Moreover it shows a lack of respect for the dojo, the teacher and the other students. Of course, there might be circumstances that conspire against your timely arrival – work/school, family, traffic, overlapping activities, etc. – however, the principle cause is usually poor estimating of the time required to reach the center.
• Sometimes we get up late, we engage in other activities and wait until the last minute and there is almost always some delay in traffic that makes us late. Late arrival is normally due to poor planning and is a bad habit.
• Aikido teaches us the importance of developing a sense of rhythm, timing and punctuality. The teachings of Aikido are not limited to your time on the training mat. The teachings and philosophy must infiltrate in a positive way your whole life. If you are only looking for an exercise class you would be better off joining a gym or aerobics class.
• The policy of the dojo requires punctuality. If you get used to arriving late, you give the impression that your time is more valuable than that of the other students and the teachers. It is really a problem. Moreover, if you arrive even one minute late to the class you break the rhythm of the class and will not receive credit for attendance. Your attendance is recorded with the goal of acquiring sufficient hours needed to test. You may benefit from the class but your time spent will not count toward your next test. This can lead to a situation in which you made all of the classes but lack sufficient credit for the exam because of chronic late attendance.
• Regarding the classes themselves, this presents a problem. Our policy is that on time arrival means that the student is on the training mat and ready to begin class. Time spent getting ready does not apply.
• Remember, the sensei and the dojo are not there to conform to you. The agreement is that you, as a student, are there to change and to conform to the rules of the dojo.