Dojo Etiquette

 When you first enter the dojo, please perform a standing bow at the door as you face into the dojo. Immediately remove your shoes or sandals (students and visitors) and place them in the shoe rack. The purpose of removing your shoes is to keep the dojo clean. You should not go barefoot outside because then your feet will be dirty when you begin class. If you have any personal items like a jacket or gym bag you can place them inside the cabinets in the visitor area, or on top if the cabinets are full. Try to avoid placing your belongings on the floor.

          Your uniform should be clean and in good repair. Make sure you have put it on correctly; especially that the pants and the belt have been tied tightly. Remove all jewelry before practice (in particular, watches, rings, and earrings), and keep your toenails and fingernails cut short. Don't chew gum (or anything else!) while you are inside the dojo.

          It is best to wear regular clothes to the dojo, and change into the uniform (dogi) once you arrive. However, because time and dressing space are limited, it is permissible to wear the dogi pants (with a shirt or sweatshirt) outside, carrying the dogi belt and jacket to and from the dojo. The full uniform, especially the belt, should never be worn outside. Immediately after training, you should change out of the uniform (at least the jacket) and neatly fold it before leaving the Dojo.

          While you are waiting for class to start, you are welcome to step onto the mat and practice your techniques, rolls, or just warm-up. If you can get to class early, this is a good time to ask a senior student to help you out. If you have come with visitors, you should help them out by setting out a chair for them in the visitor area.

          The senior student will announce when class is ready to begin by the command "Please line up". All students should rapidly step onto the mat, bow to the front, and form one line, with the higher ranking students to the right (closest to the teacher) and beginning students to the left (furthest from the teacher). The students will then kneel together in one straight line at the command "Please Kneel". You should kneel with your knees a little apart, your elbows barely touching the elbows of the student on your right, your back straight, and your eyes looking directly ahead.

          Once everyone is lined up, Sensei will walk to the front of the mat and kneel. The senior student will give two commands: Shomen-ni-Rei (which means "Bow to the Front") and Sensei-ni-Rei (which means "Bow to the Teacher"). After each of these commands the entire class will bow. Raise up from your bow just after the person on your right does so. Then Sensei will say "Tatte, stand up!" which means you should get up quickly and be prepared for training.

          The most important thing to remember during class is to do exactly what Sensei asks, and do it as quickly as possible. If you do not do so, or are careless or goofing around, someone may get hurt. Always pay attention to whatever is going on during class.

          Students should always show respect to each other by first bowing before you start training with your partner. Whenever you have been taught a technique, or you have been corrected in a technique by your Sensei or a senior student, bow and say either Osu or "Thank you". If your name is called by your Sensei or a senior student, the proper response is Hai!, which means "Yes". Words such as "Yeah" and other slang show disrespect and do not belong in the dojo.

          When it is time for class to end, students should quickly kneel in one line (senior students on the right) before the instructor kneels. Line up in the order you were in when class started. The class will once more perform formal bows at the commands Shomen-ni-Rei and Sensei-ni-Rei. You should remain sitting until the senior student gives the command "Class dismissed". Then, you may rise. Before you leave the mat, find your partner, bow, and thank them for training. Finally, perform a standing bow to the front as you step off the mat.