Trainees’ Guide

Useful Behavior Guidelines

1. When entering or leaving the dojo, it is appropriate to bow towards the photo of O-Sensei (the place called kamiza or shomen) or the front of the dojo. It is also advisable to bow when entering or leaving the mat (tatami).
2. We are on time for the class. Students should be seated seiza-style in a row about 3-5 minutes before the official start of the class. In case we are late, we sit seiza-style on the edge of the mat, we say the phrase “Onegai shimasu” to the instructor and enter the training area.
3. If, for any reason, it is necessary to leave the mat or dojo, we approach the instructor and inform him about it.
4. We avoid sitting on the mat having our back turned to the photo of O-Sensei. Also, we do not lean against the wall or with our legs stretched out. (We sit either seiza or sukhasana.)
5. Before exercising, we remove watches, rings, or other jewelry that can get tangled up in other trainees’ hair, skin, or clothing and cause an injury to us or to them.
6. We keep our hands and feet nails clean and short.
7. We train pleasantly, while taking the Art seriously.
8. If we encounter any problem with the implementation of a technique, we initially try to understand it by seeing the others. Effective observation is a technique that we try to develop, just like we do with any other technique, through our training. If we continue to face a problem, we approach the instructor in a convenient time for the class and we ask for his help.
9. We do not engage in conflicts or unnecessary strength competitions during the class.
10. We keep our training uniform (gi) clean, in good condition and with no unpleasant odors.
11. We change clothes in changing rooms (not on the mat!).
12. We do not omit to bow to our co-trainees before and after performing the techniques, reminding ourselves and others of our Ef-Genos [from the Greek words ευ = good, and γένος = genus, race (with the meaning of origin)] from which we came from. According to the Taoists, bow is a greeting that implies the recognition of the Divine Nature in all our fellow human beings. Futhermore, it is considered courteous to bow when we receive help or correction from the instructor.

“The real Art of Peace is not to sacrifice a single one of your warriors to defeat an enemy. Vanquish your foes by always keeping yourself in a safe and unassailable position; then no one will suffer any losses. The Way of a Warrior, the Art of Politics, is to stop trouble before it starts. It consists in defeating your adversaries spiritually by making them realise the folly of their actions. The Way of a Warrior is to establish harmony.” ~ Morihei Ueshiba