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Guidelines for Personal conduct while training at Aikido of Mariposa
Proper observance of etiquette is as much a part of your Martial Arts training as is learning techniques.
Please take the following guidelines seriously.
- When entering or leaving the dojo we face the front of the practice area and bow. We use this opportunity to remind ourselves to be grateful for this place to train.
- We take off our hats and shoes, dispose of chewing gum, and stop any other distracting practices that might interfere with our training or other's training. Grateful for the opportunity to study Aikido and Shinkendo, we want to focus all of our attention and energy on that one task. Visitors are also expected to observe all these guidelines of conduct.
- At the dojo it is customary that we take off our street clothes and put on a training uniform. This helps us shed our outside concerns and focus our attention on our current task - Training.
- Uniforms must be kept clean. Finger and toe nails must be kept at a safe length to avoid injury to ourselves and others. Good personal hygiene is a must as we are in constant close contact with each other.
- All jewelry and watches must be removed before practice.
- When we greet a fellow student or an instructor, we greet them with a traditional bow. This is customary in the practice of Japanese Budo. Bowing is also a sign of trust and humility and reminds us that we are unendingly involved in a relationship with the people around us.
- When coming onto or leaving the practice mat, we bow again to the front of the dojo. This expresses our intent to concentrate fully on our training, and acts as a recognition of all the individuals, past and present, who have contributed to our arts.
- Equipment bags, footwear, etc, should also be neatly placed in the designated area of the dojo.
- When the class is ready to begin, before the instructor sits, the students line up in a straight line facing the front of the practice ares. The person to the right should be of equal or higher rank; the person to the left should be of equal or lower rank. When the students line up the most senior student and the most junior student should be the same distance from their sides of the mat. This way, when the instructor is in front of the class, a triangle is formed.
- The formal bowing in process: The instructor turns and faces the shomen display and commands "seiza"(seated kneeling position). Next, the highest ranking student below shodan (black belt rank) will command "shomen ni rei". This means "bow to the front" and is a sign of respect to the founders and traditions of our arts. The instructor then turns to face the students. Then, the same senior student will then say "Sensei ni rei", which means "bow to the teacher". The instructor will then say "onegi shimasu" (oh-nigh-guy-she-mahss) which means "please train with me" or "please Teach us". The students in-turn, say "onegi shimasu" to the instructor. Next the students will follow the instructor's lead and come to a standing position and bow.
Formal bowing out: Much is the same as bowing in, the differences are: After the students bow to the Instructor, he will say "Domo arrigato gozaimas", which means "Thank you very much". Then again, follow his lead and come to a standing position, bow, and then end with a big thunderous clap of the hands.
- From the time of the formal bow in and until the formal bow out, all students should keep a sincere focus on their training.
- During class, any student needing to leave the mat should notify the Sensei.
- Before class starts is a good time to visit the restroom and to hydrate yourself, so it will not cut into your training time or your partner's. It is especially considered rude to leave the mat during warm- ups. Of course sudden illness is a exception.
- Please be on time for class.
- Alway begin and end your training with your partner by bowing to each other.
- Never shout, curse or become angry on the mat. If there is a disagreement, ask the instructor what is right.
- When the instructor is off the mat, treat the senior student with the same respect you do the teacher.
- When the class is ending, the students quickly line up.
- When the class is dismissed, the students then find their partners and thank them for training with them.
- Dojo Membership Dues: It is the responsibility of each student to pay their dues on-time, without having to be reminded. Your dues directly support the operation of the Dojo. There is no "Off Season" in Martial Arts training, either you are an active member or you're not. As an active member you are expected to pay your dues, whether or not you attended class. It is proper to inform your instructor that you want to stop your membership (you can resume later), instead of just "disappearing". It is Rude. Your instructor can only be as serious about your training, as you are about it yourself.
The path to mastering any skill is through regular and consistent practice.
Remember, a tense mind = a tense body.