- In our tradition bowing to one another and the training area should convey a sense of respect, humility, gratitude and trust. This sense should be more than just a gesture and be at the heart of our relationship to the space and to one another.
- Therefore, please bow upon entering and leaving the building (dojo), as well as when entering and leaving the training area. Students and teachers (sensei) exchange bows, as a symbol of this, before and after practice, and whenever the sensei instructs you personally.
- Once class has started, let your instructor know if you need to leave the mat for any reason, since it is their responsibility to keep track of everyone on the mat who is training.
- In the absence of the sensei, the senior student takes charge of the class.
- Keeping yourself and your uniform clean is another way of showing respect to your fellow students. Fingernails and toenails should be kept clean and trimmed. Keep the training uniform (gi) laundered and folded, when not in use. After workout, it should be aired out at home. The belt (obi) that accompanies your gi, denotes your rank, and should be worn and kept properly tied at all times during training.
- In order to respect that some people are allergic to artificial/strong scents please refrain from using them before training.
- Never bring food/drink or chew gum on the mat. Having a water bottle near the bench is fine.
- Do not wear street shoes while walking on the mat.
- Training begins promptly on time and cleaning is done before class. Please try to be early as this allows you to help with cleaning and makes it possible for the teacher to include you in the class plan.
- If you arrive late to class, wait for an acknowledgement from your sensei; bow; warm up sufficiently, then join the class without creating a disruption.
- It is the responsibility of all dojo members to have the training area clean by the beginning of the class. Also make sure that the space is cleaner than you found it when you leave. This includes not leaving anything in the dressing rooms. Please step up and don’t make others clean up after you.
- Read our community agreements. They affirm our stance on conflict, sexual harassment and racism and are central to creating a functional training environment. If there are any questions with regards to them, ask the teaching staff.
- At the beginning of training we say Onegai-shimasu thus establishing consent among ourselves to begin training. This sense of consent should carry over into any dojo interaction. Asking your training partner if there is anything you need to know about them, before training, helps maintain a safe environment for both people.
- No students should be teaching other students unless instructed to do so by the sensei. If your training partner asks for direct feedback, then feel free to give it to them. Mostly worry about your own technique and don’t teach people unless asked to do so.
- If a technique is painful when applied by your partner or if you need any training activity to stop for any reason, tap the mat, or your partner, with your hands or feet so that your partner will release the hold and end the activity immediately and without question. This practice is central to both people being as safe as possible and ensuring that all interactions on the mat are consensual.
- It is not safe for students to teach any of the arts taught at Suigetsukan to anyone without permission of the teachers.
- If your training partner is training unsafely and putting them or you at risk, please speak up immediately and talk to them and/or the instructor.
- Use caution at all times when practicing so as not to injure your partner. If your partner is injured immediately notify the sensei.
- Practice only those techniques which you are asked to practice by your instructor. Only practice techniques that your partner is trained to receive safely.
- Do not train in the dojo while under the influence of any substance that impairs your coordination or judgment.
- Jewelry, such as watches, rings, necklaces, etc., should not be worn during training, so they don’t cut or tear you or your training partner.
- Before practicing, be sure to warm up properly.
- Never walk between two people training.
- Make sure that the area around you is clear before throwing your partner. Once thrown to the mat, stand up quickly so that others won’t trip over or fall on top of you.
- When not practicing a technique, stand to the edge of the mat, so that you may clear the mat area for others, who are practicing.
- If a conflict occurs between you and another member of the dojo, please try to speak to the person directly or ask the teaching staff for help in resolving it.
- The staff will always try to be respectful and understanding when the above etiquette is not followed, but any behavior that puts others at risk, violates the community agreements, or disrupts the training environment will lead to consequences that could include being asked to leave the Suigetsukan either temporarily or permanently.
1/28/2023