Dojo Etiquette

At Renseikan Dojo, we follow a traditional practice of the martial arts. These traditions are identical to those followed by many traditional martial arts dojo in Okinawa and Japan. These traditions guide us in our training and help us to achieve the necessary discipline in the practice of our martial arts. They are also important because they emphasize the respect we must give ourselves, our fellow students, our instructors and our training.

All students are expected to know and follow dojo etiquette as a part of their martial arts training. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask a senior student.

General Etiquette

• Punctuality is encouraged. Try to be ready and on the mats at least five minutes prior to the start of class.
• Never attend class if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if you are feeling sick. It is important to your training that you have the ability to be completely focused during class.
• For safety reasons, all jewellery must be removed prior to participating in class. (Please note that the dojo is not responsible for articles left in the changerooms during classes, and it is recommended that jewellery be left at home or in your vehicle.)
• For safety reasons, fingernails and toenails must be clipped short. We also ask that nail polish not be used on toenails as nail polish can sometimes come off and damage the mats.
• If you are unable to train and are participating by observing a class, please be aware that during the course of the class you should not ask questions or answer questions, nor should you exchange comments with students who are training. If you are present during the opening bow or the closing bow, please stand and participate with a standing bow.
• Please remember to pay your dues on time. This reflects your respect for and your responsibility to your training and to the dojo.

When You First Arrive

• When you arrive at the dojo, please remove your shoes and your hat and place them neatly on the shelves provided. This signifies that you have left the outside world behind you as you enter the dojo.
• When you meet a fellow student or an instructor, greet them by bowing - bowing is a customary practice in Okinawan and Japanese Budo.
• When you enter the main training area, seek out Sensei and, if he is not busy with someone else, greet him with a bow.

Before Your Class

• If there is no class in progress, you should proceed to the changeroom and change into your dogi. Student discussions are encouraged, but should always be done in low tones. Always keep your eye on the time, so that you are on the mats at least five minutes before the start of class.
• If there is a class in progress, you should proceed quickly and quietly to the changeroom. Change into your dogi with a minimum of noise. Please do not hold conversations in the changeroom while another class is being conducted, so as not to interrupt other students' training. If the class is still in progress after you have changed, chairs are available along the side of the dojo so that you can watch the class quietly. Note: If you are sitting on the side when a class ends, always stand up during the ritual bowing that ends every Renseikan class, and perform a standing bow (rei) with the class. This enables you to show your respect as a student along with the other members of the class.
• It is important to be on the mats five minutes before the start of your class. Take this time to prepare your mind for your training and release any outside influences or interference.

Entering Onto the Mats

• You should step onto the mats with your right foot first and then your left.
• At Renseikan, we always do a formal bow when we enter onto the mats for the first time of the day, and when we leave the mats for the last time of the day. To perform the formal bow: Immediately after you step onto the mats, do a standing bow (rei), which will be the start of your formal bow. Complete your formal bow by kneeling onto the mats and bowing to the front of the dojo. This bow signifies your respect for the dojo, and the training you are about to receive.
• After your formal entry onto the mats, you will greet other students in a formal manner, with a standing bow (rei). You should always seek out the most senior student first. Once you have bowed to the most senior student, and time allows, greet all other students in priority according to their rank. If there is more than one senior student of the same belt, the one with the more junior rank will indicate his or her senior (sempai). If, however, after you have greeted the most senior student, there is not enough time or there are too many other students on the mats, try to greet all the black belt students first, and then greet all the other students.

Beginning of Each Class

• The most senior student on the mats will call students to line up (shugo), or will instruct another student to do so. When you hear "Shugo", quickly stop what you are doing and line up in seiza in a straight line at the rear of the dojo facing the shinden. You will be lining up according to your rank: the person to your right should be of equal or higher rank, and the person to your left should be of equal or lower rank.
• If you arrive late for your class - a practice that is not encouraged - do not act in any way that would be disruptive to Sensei or to the class. After you have changed, quickly and quietly bow onto the mats and stay kneeling in seiza until Sensei instructs you to join the class.

During the Class

• Always keep your attention focused on Sensei's instruction. Listen to Sensei and to the senior black belts, and move quickly when instructed to do so.
• Talking on the mats during class is considered impolite, as it interferes with your fellow students' concentration. When discussion is necessary (and this will be rare), keep your conversation brief and your voices low.
• Never shout, curse or become angry while on the mats.
• When Sensei is giving general instruction to the class, or if you wish to listen to an explanation given to another student during the practice of a technique, kneel politely in seiza.
• Always begin partner work by bowing (a standing bow, or rei) to your partner.
• When you receive correction or instruction from Sensei, a bow (standing bow, or rei) and a "thank you, Sensei" or "domo arigato, Sensei" is appropriate. At times, Sensei may appoint a senior student to lead your instruction, and again, a thank you is appropriate when you receive correction or instruction from the senior student.
• Teaching is Sensei's responsibility, and the responsibility of any student he appoints to instruct during any portion of the class. Even if you are working with a partner who is less experienced than you, you should not try to teach them. Rather, your role is to be a role model to more junior students by showing them what to do through your actions and your focus on the performance of your movements and your overall technique.
• It is extremely poor etiquette to question Sensei's or a senior student's authority or technical knowledge, especially during a class. Do not interrupt Sensei or a senior student. If you are confused about something, it is always appropriate to raise your hand or approach Sensei or the senior student, and wait quietly to the side until you have his or her attention.
• Always be aware of and pay attention to where you and your fellow students are while training. When doing any technique, you must always ensure that neither you nor your partner will collide or hit other students while practicing.
• In partner work, the senior student is always responsible for the junior student while training.
• If you need to leave the mats during training, it is proper to show your respect to Sensei, your fellow students, and your training by first asking Sensei's permission.

Ending of Class

• Sensei will always signal the end of class. You will again line up (shugo) in seiza at the rear of the dojo, in order of your rank.
• Once Sensei leaves the mats, you will perform a kneeling bow to each of your fellow students. At this time, it is appropriate to say "thank you" or "domo arigato" (thank you in Japanese) for the training you have just finished with each other.

After Each Class

• If there are any dojo-related matters needing your attention, a senior student will address students on the mats after the class ends but before anyone has left the mats.
• After class, you are expected to take part in a short (five to ten minutes) traditional after-class clean-up. Often this will involve a quick wash of the mats. If you are not sure what to do, ask a senior student.
• If there is no class after your class ends and you wish to practice after class, please check with Sensei first. Sometimes he may have to leave soon after the end of class.
• After the after-class clean-up, you should change as quickly as possible. If another class is beginning, you should keep conversations with fellow students to a minimum until you have left the dojo, in order not to disturb the students on the mats.
• While we encourage students to discuss classes and get to know each other outside of class time, try not to get involved in long discussions with other students after class. Instead, students will often arrange to meet after class somewhere in order to continue their discussions.

Social Events/Outside of the Dojo

• Students of the martial arts always refer to their teacher as Sensei, regardless of the setting. It is not considered proper etiquette to call your Sensei by his or her first name even when you meet outside of the dojo.
• During dojo social events, senior students are responsible for making sure Sensei and any special guests are always served first and always have something to eat and drink. Junior students are expected to assist the senior students in this responsibility by helping out whenever possible.
• Kampai! It is customary to offer toasts before social events, so it is important that everyone has a drink (water or juice or pop) to toast with before drinking.
• At Renseikan Dojo, our community of students is very important to us. We offer many social activities, and many of our students (and students' parents) have developed enduring friendships as a result of their training at our dojo. If you are new to the dojo and feeling a little hesitant about getting attending a dojo event, don't worry - come out and have fun. Getting to know your fellow students is a great way to participate in the dojo community and will enhance your training on the mats.