Rules and Regulations of Aikido
Please read and understand these basic guidelines for your Aikido
training. You are not expected to memorize this list your first day,
but you will be expected to act in accordance with our rules. They are
established to create a positive and productive environment where we
can all learn.
Dojo Etiquette:
1. When entering the dojo, please be quiet. Avoid inappropriate or
abrasive language. Be aware and sensitive to the special atmosphere of
the space and conduct yourself appropriately while you are here.
2. Please remove your shoes and place them on the shoe rack before
entering the dojo proper.
3. When entering the dojo proper please do a standing bow toward the
Kamiza (the wooden structure with the pictures). Ask one of the
instructors to demonstrate this for you if it’s unclear.
4. If you owe monthly dues, please be sure to take care of that before
stepping on the mat. Please pay your dues the first day of the month,
or the first time you train in a month. Dues fees are for one month;
months do not transfer. If you are having financial hardships please
talk with the chief instructor.
5. Cleaning the dojo is everyone’s responsibility; please
help out where you can. If you aren’t sure what to do please
ask one of the instructors or senior students to help you out. Take a
minute every day to do something for the dojo.
6. Please be sure to change in the changing room. It is totally
acceptable to put on your hakama in the waiting area, but your gi and
belt should be fully secured before you step out of the changing room.
After class, leave your gi on until you are in the changing room.
7. Be sure your gi is clean and in good repair. Your dogi should be
washed after each practice and patched or replaced when needed. If you
stay for two classes it’s fine to wear the same gi.
8. Be sure your body is clean. Be aware that the cleanliness of you
body affects (either positively or negatively) those around you. Try to
be aware of how you are affecting people.
9. When stepping onto the mat please do a kneeling bow toward the
Kamiza. An instructor or student will show you how this is done. While
you are on the mat maintain a dignified and focused manner. If someone
asks you a question then you should answer it; other than that, please
don’t talk on the mat. Use your eyes to observe the world
around you; try not to rely solely on being told what to do.
10. At the beginning and end of class please make an orderly line
according to your rank. Please line up five minutes before the
beginning of class. Your gi should be adjusted so it sits properly on
your body.
11. At the beginning of class an instructor will bow to the Kamiza,
turn and bow to the rest of the class. You should return that bow and
say "
onegaishemasu" [oh ne guy she mas]. The
instructor will finish the class in the same manner. When he/she bows
to the class you should say "
domo arigato
gozaimashta" [do mo Ari Gato Go zai Mash ta]. Feel free to
use the English translation, "thank you very much
(instructor's name)," it serves the same purpose.
12. The instructor will do a brief warm up routine, and then
demonstrate the first technique. He/she will then direct you to take a
partner. Turn and bow to whoever is closest to you and say
"
onegaishemasu."
13. If an instructor comes up to you on the mat and corrects your
technique you should sit in seiza while they are correcting you. After
the correction please do a seated bow and thank the instructor.
14. Periodically the instructor will change the technique during a
class. This will be demarcated by either two claps, or some verbal cue
like “next.” Please line up on the perimeter of the
mat giving the instructor plenty of room in the middle to show the
technique.
15. Please do not fight on the mat. Aikido is physically and mentally
challenging, and often pushes us to our limits; this is a good thing.
Don’t lose sight of the fact that those around you are trying
to help you even if at times it doesn’t feel that way. Be
humble, learn, and go with it.
16. The instructor will end the class in the manner described above.
After the instructor leaves the mat, sit for a moment. Be sure the
instructor is fully off the mat before you begin to move. After class
be sure to thank each of your partners with a kneeling bow. If you do
not know their names PLEASE ASK THEM THEIR NAME.
17. After class please sweep the mat and prepare the dojo for the next
class. There is not much time between classes, so this should be done
quickly.
18. If you get injured on the mat inform the instructor immediately.
There is a first aid kit for superficial injuries (cuts, scrapes,
etc.). Please clean up any blood on the mat immediately.
19. Do not leave or get on the mat during a class without first being
acknowledged by the instructor.
20. Please arrive in a timely fashion to the dojo. If work or life
prohibits you from arriving on time and this cannot be avoided, show up
as soon as you can. However, in general, make every effort to arrive at
the dojo at least fifteen minutes before the beginning of class. If
time permits, and you are able to show up for class early, please feel
free to use the mat for weapons practice, stretching, or ukemi. Do not
use the mat for anything other than Aikido training.
21. Please do not leave personal belongings in the dojo. This
includes trash, gis, clothing, etc.
21. Most importantly, have fun. We all love our Aikido training and we
want to share that with you. Training hard, learning, sweating and
challenging ourselves is what we like to do best, so please join in and
enjoy this with us.
Contact Information:
Use our contact form or contact Michael Baron by email or (781) 938-0119.
Woburn Aikikai • 6 Cedar Street • Woburn MA 01801
