Aikido Etiquette
Please be mindful of your surroundings and aware of how your actions affect you, your surroundings and others. Martial arts practice is a great way to build awareness, so enter each training session with a heightened sense of awareness. This will help foster a safe environment for all to train and learn.
Before Entering the Dojo
Make sure your gi (practice uniform) is clean. Your hands and feet should also be clean. Be sure your finger and toenails are trimmed. Remove all jewelry before your training. Any jewelry that cannot be removed should be taped in place.
For the safety of all members, and for the respect of the art, no one will be allowed to practice while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There will also be no drinking, eating, or chewing gum allowed on the mat.
Before Class
Please note that the bowing we do in martial arts comes from a sense of gratitude for what others have achieved and passed on to us.
One should make a standing bow when entering and leaving the dojo. Please sit in seiza and bow to O-Sensei when entering the mat for the first time, and when leaving the mat after class. There will be other times for sitting seiza and bowing during class which will be explained to you as you go through your training. New students should look to more experienced students for guidance and follow their example.
During Class
While the instructor is demonstrating a technique to the entire class, the students should sit quietly in either seiza or hanza and be attentive to the instruction being shown. Once the demonstration is complete, students should quickly and quietly pair-up and begin practicing. Newer students should not sit and wait to be selected by another student. Actively seek a partner that will help you learn what was shown.
While practicing with your partner, newer students should not offer advice on techniques or try to teach their partner. Students who are helping newer students should only give small amounts of advice to help the newer students understand what was being taught by the instructor. Always be focused and connected with your partner in practice and keep any discussion to an absolute minimum.
Check in with your partner before you start practicing a technique. The student of higher rank should be setting the pace for the practice and make sure it is within the limits of both parties. Safe practice is the priority over all else.
Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated before, during, or after class. Aikido is for all to enjoy.
Gratefully adapted and used with permission of Greg Deutsch Sensei of Third Coast Aikido.
