Sacred Heart Aikido Center – Cebu (SHACC)

SHACC

Dojo Etiquette

Do's and Don'ts

  • General

    • If you meet sensei when you arrive at the dojo. Do a small standing bow and greet him. Even outside the dojo you can do this if you meet him at the mall, restaurant, etc.
 
  • Before Classes
    • Come to the dojo 15min – 30 min before the start of class. You can help ready the mats if they are not yet arranged on the floor.
    • Before entering the room/dojo, at the door, take a standing bow to O’sensei. This is to pay respects before entering the dojo.
    • Wear your uniform before coming into the room; if you don’t have one, you can temporarily use t-shirt and jogging pants. However, it is required to wear your aikido gi during practice so you can fully experience the grappling and throwing techniques. ( Note: You can purchase them at the department stores. However, these are the thin ones and are prone to tearing faster than the ticker single weave or white denim ( locally called “maong”) types. The thicker ones however are more expensive and are ordered either online or from a local shop )
    • You can do your warm-ups while waiting for sensei to start the class.
    • STRICTLY NO EATING AND NO DRINKING ON THE MATS.

 

  • During Classes
    • Before entering the mats, do a standing bow to O’sensei from the (rear/back) corners of the mats, either from the rear left or rear right corner. After the bow, you can also do a kneeling bow to O’sensei.
    • Line up to your sitting arrangements and wait for sensei to start the class. Meditate and calm your mind.
    • If you are late, go to the rear-left  corner and wait to be acknowledged by sensei, or assigned instructor, to join the class. Never join the class immediately without being recognized by sensei/instructor as this may come as being impolite and disrespectful.
    • Absolutely no talking/chit-chat on the mats, comments or calling names during the practice. The only thing that you will say to your partner for the whole hour is likely to be “onegaishimasu” and “arigato gozaimashita”. Aikido is about doing, experiencing. More doing and less talking.
    • When sensei is showing a technique to your partner, automatically sit in seiza no matter how short or simple the explanation may be.
    • If you have questions or clarifications, you can approach sensei or any senior, bow respectfully and wait to be acknowledged. Do this only when you are pairing up with a partner. Never during sensei demonstrating in front of the class.
    • If sensei calls your name, say “hai!” audibly and clearly and go to the front, then do a kneeling bow and wait for instructions.
    • When receiving personal instructions/clarifications/corrections during class, listen intently and bow to the instructor when finished. When sensei/instructor is instructing another student and he/she is beside or near you, give space to them and sit in seiza. Bow formally when they have finished and you can continue with your partner.
    • Never stand idly on the mats, the mats is a place for learning and practicing, not for standing idly. If you are waiting for your turn, seat formally in seiza on the side.
    • Respect those who are more experienced. Never argue about the technique. He/she may have different approaches based on his/her experience/size/body/limitations to you.
    • You are here to practice. Don’t force your ideas on others. Just do your technique based on what sensei/instructors is showing.
    • NEVER SIT WITH YOUR BACK TOWARDS O’Sensei/Kamiza.
 
  • After Classes
    • When the class ends, everyone should go back to their sitting arrangements at the back of the mats.
    • Sensei will formally end the class and bow to the Kamiza/O’sensei.
    • Sensei then turns towards the class and everyone will then bow to sensei. Sensei will then exit, kneeling and bowing on the right side of the mat where he first enter.
    • Everyone will bow one-by-one to his/her left, starting with the most senior on the right saying “domo arigato gozaimashita”.
    • After class, you will see students chatting and informally practice on the mats. This is encouraged and you are free to do so and even do extra practice after class.
    • If you want to rest, sit at the back most so as not to disturb those practicing in front/middle.
    • Exit through the corner you entered from, doing a standing bow before exiting the mats.

Credits to Karate by Jesse Enkamp