Dojo etiquette

Dojo etiquette is of the highest importance. Proper etiquette maintains order, discipline, safety and above all, respect to the dojo, the instructors and others. Here is a list of points that should be followed by all club members.

• Bow upon entering and leaving the dojo
• Address the dojo instructor as Sensei. All other instructors are addressed as “sempai” which means senior.
• Always bow to the Sensei when they enter the dojo for the first time in the class. Stop what you are doing an always stand up to bow. It is incumbent upon the senior ranking black belts already in the dojo to ensure that this happens. When approaching the Sensei in the dojo, always bow first before speaking. Black belts are expected to lead by example, in and out of the dojo.
• Finger and toe nails must be kept clean at short
• Gis must be kept clean and in good condition
• Please try to be on time for classes. If you arrive late, please take the time to do a quick bow, kneel and wait for the sensei/sempai to ask you to join the group in training.
• Jewelry (rings, bracelets, neck chains etc.) must NOT be worn during training. Jewelry/watches tend to get caught in other students fingers, gi, etc. and cause injuries. If you cannot get a ring off
  then tape must be wrapped around it.
• Please remove all footwear before entering the dojo.
• It is important to stay hydrated during your workouts, however, it is considered impolite to leave the workout (any time from the bow in to the bow out) to grab a drink unless it is necessary. Two things.
  First, it helps if you are hydrated prior to class. Use the day of a workout to drink more water. This will help quite a lot. If the dojo is warmer than usual, or the class is longer than normal, or the workout is more intense, the instructor will place a pause in the class and allow the students to get a drink. If in the middle of a class you find yourself dizzy (coughing a lot) or very much in need of a drink, move to the back, bow out, use the fountain (less disruptive), take a moment to catch your breath, then bow back in.
• Cell phones must be turned off, or put them in silent mode (this includes no vibrations as well). If you are expecting an important call, and still need to work out, please inform the instructor of the possible interruption, and place your phone on vibrate. Keep close to your phone to answer it. There are a few karate-ka in the club that are on-call doctors and have been excused of the possible interruptions.
• Talking During class is not permitted. there should be no talking. If you are standing at the back of the dojo waiting for the first group to finish, you should be quiet and if asking questions about what you are learning, keep your voice low and your Qestiopns to the point. Remember when you enter the dojo and bow in, your mind should be focused on your training. Outside concerns will still be waiting for you after class.
• If you have a specific question then please ask one of the senior black belts for an answer, even seek a clarification from one of the instructors.Dojo etiquette is of the highest importance. Proper etiquette maintains order, discipline, safety and above all, respect to the dojo, the instructors and others.

Dojo Kun

Everyone who trains in karate must know the dojo kun. At the end of each training session—whether it be at the dojo, after class, or after a tournament, which I always call “special training”—the dojo kun is repeated all together by the students as a reminder of why we train.The dojo kun states the basic philosophy of karate, according to its founder and my teacher, Master Gichin Funakoshi. Master Funakoshi believed that, for the true karate-ka, the dojo kun should not only be considered a set of rules of conduct in the dojo, but a guide to everyday life.   Everything we learn in the dojo, we should apply to everyday life.
 

Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto (Seek perfection of character )

This is the ultimate goal of karate.   The other four principles of the dojo kun, as well as the entire nijyu kun, all tell us what it means to seek perfection of character—how we can go about pursuing this highest objectives.  But this is the most important thing.  We seek perfection of character from the inside out.  It is something we should do every moment of every day of our lives. This means we should never stop learning.  Karate training, like life itself, is an ongoing process of growth and personal education, a process that lasts for a lifetime.   It is good to set goals, but as soon as we accomplish them, it is important to set our sights on the next goal, to improve.  To seek perfection of character is to always seek to improve oneself, to always endeavor to learn and grow.  

Makoto no michi o mamoru koto (Be Faithful)

To be faithful means to be sincere in everything you do.  Here we are talking about making a total effort, all the time, in whatever you do.  To be faithful of course means that you have to be true to other people, to your obligations—but it also means you have to be true to yourself.  And to do so means you have to do your best in everything you do. When you are faithful to yourself, others will have faith in you.  This creates mutual trust between people.  Being faithful to yourself is essential to realizing the first goal of being the best person you can be.

Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto (Endeavour)

Try hard at everything you do.  No matter what you are doing, whether it’s training, working, having a relationship—give it one hundred percent.  To do anything else is to cheat yourself and others.  If you don’t endeavor to do your best, you are not being faithful to yourself and others, and you are not trying to seek perfection of character.

Reigi o omonzuru koto (Respect others)

A true martial artist always shows respect to other people.  And it is something you ought to feel in your heart.  Showing respect is a sign of humility, and humility is necessary for an open mind, which it turn is necessary to learn, to grow.  You can always learn something from every person you meet.  Likewise, every person you encounter is a possible opponent of some kind, and that opponent can pose a threat to you, physical or otherwise.  In either case, if you respect everyone, you will more clearly see things for what they are, and you will be able to get the most of every experience. 

Keki no yu o imashimuru koto (Refrain from violent behavior)

This is a reminder to keep calm inside.   Control yourself at all times, from within.   Conflict within is a form of violence.  It leads to violent actions, which is something you should try to avoid at all costs.   A martial artist) should always be in control, and that begins with an inner calmness, with peace of mind.  If you are forced to defend yourself as a last resort, then it is all right to do so.  But you will only be successful defending yourself when you maintain a calm, clear mind, in which case using karate technique to protect yourself will truly be your reaction of last resort.

Karate Precepts

• Karate is not only dojo training.
• Don't forget that Karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow.
• In Karate, never attack first.
• One who practices Karate must follow the way of justice.
• First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.
• Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely means to the end.
• You must release your mind.
• Misfortune comes out of laziness.
• Karate is a lifelong training.
• Put Karate into everything you do.
• Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will again become cold.
• Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose.
• Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
• Move according to your opponent.
• Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords.
• When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you.
• Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced students.
• Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another.
• Do not forget strength and weakness of power, expansion and contraction of the body, slowness and speed of techniques.
• Devise at all times.