Dojo Etiquette

The following guidelines are very important in Aikido. Following the proper etiquette demonstrates an understanding of martial arts and your willingness to subjugate your own ego to "the way". Aikido begins and ends with etiquette and the practice of etiquette maintains the structure and harmony of the dojo.

Clothing

Aikido practice is best done in the traditional outfit of Japanese martial arts, the dogi. Beginners may wear loose clothing but once you decide to commit yourself to Aikido, you should buy a dogi. When not on the mats, please wear zori (thongs) or shoes. Remove your footwear before stepping on the mats and position them together neatly next to the other footwear with the toes pointing away from the mats.

Bowing

Bowing or rei is a very important part of Aikido and should be mastered as soon as possible. Rei is a symbol of appreciation and respect, not subjugation. We express this respect to O Sensei, the dojo, the Sensei present at the dojo and the other practitioners. Bowing is a tangible expression of our appreciation for being taught "the way."

The two types of bowing to be mastered are the standing bow and the sitting bow.

The standing bow is executed by placing your arms at your sides, fingers stretched toward the floor and bending the body 30 to 45 degrees forward. Always do the standing bow when entering or leaving the dojo and when temporarily leaving and returning to the mats. Never leave the mats without Sensei's permission.

The sitting bow begins from a kneeling position (about two fist's separation between your knees), with your hands resting on your thighs. Place your left hand and then your right hand on the mat in front of you so that the thumbs and first fingers form a triangle. Bow deeply and return to an upright position and place your right hand and then your left on your thighs.

The subtleties of bowing are numerous and you should try to master as many as you can. Use the sitting bow to O-Sensei when first stepping onto the mats and when finally leaving the mats. This bow is also used when bowing to O-Sensei and then to Sensei at the beginning and end of class.

Always try to bow before your Sensei bows to you and bring your head up after he/she has completed his/her bow. Bow to your partner before and after each technique. At the end of class after Sensei has left the mats, bow to the people with whom you practiced.

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is a reflection of our attitude toward and our respect for Aikido, Sensei, fellow practitioners and ourselves. Long hair must be tied back. Jewelry is very dangerous and must be removed. Fingernails and toenails must be kept short and clean. Hair, body and dogi should be kept clean.

On the Mats

Try to get on the mats ten minutes before class. Use this time to warm-up quietly and to drop all preoccupation that may have been brought into the dojo. Aikido is a life and death activity. You will need all your powers of concentration to learn effectively and to avoid injury to yourself or others.

When the senior student takes a sitting position you should immediately move to a place in line that reflects your rank. Students sit in order of rank with the highest at the right end of the line. Meditate until Sensei begins class.

If you arrive late, do your warm-ups off the mats and sit quietly at the edge of the mats until Sensei indicates that you may join the class. Do not leave the mats without permission from the Sensei. During practice you should try not to talk. Discussion of techniques with your partner should not be necessary. Let your eyes and your body teach you.

If Sensei is speaking to the class or to you individually, sit quietly and look directly at him. In these matters as well as those previously discussed, you may always ask direction from senior students. Better yet, don't ask -- just watch and imitate.

Ranking

Unlike some other martial arts, there are no competitions in Aikido. In Victoria, students complete Level 1 and Level 2 courses before they can be ranked. Ranking is done by tests on which you must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency.

Length of Aikido practice, attitude, character and the seriousness and diligence of practice are all considered in promotion. Ranks proceed from fifth to first kyu (white belt) and then from first to tenth dan (black belt).

Deference to Senior Students

Aikido is not a democracy. Seniority determines authority. Never correct a person senior to you. Always let the senior partner be the first to practice a technique (nage) while you are the first to receive the technique (uke). Don't give instructions as to where on the mats you should practice or how you should practice if your partner is senior to you.

Other Martial Arts

Students should be careful not to criticize other Martial Arts. Practitioners and Instructors of other arts are following a different path than ours. We would bring our Aikido training into disrepute by regarding ourselves as superior.

Partners

Your partner is the mirror of yourself. You can learn from any partner, regardless of their age, physical limitations, rank and capabilities. Working with some partners can be more of a challenge than with others. These are often the best opportunities to practice the spirit of Aikido and the fundamental concept of harmonizing with others. If you continue to have difficulty speak privately to the Sensei or a senior student.

Avoid competition. Competition is not a part of Aikido. Trying to win, bragging about one's power or ability and looking down on other students is not Aikido. The aim of Aikido is to become a better person and to perfect the techniques you are being taught.

Guests

If you wish to bring a guest to watch class, please introduce him/her to Sensei before class. If a guest book exists, please have the visitor fill it out. Also instruct the guest on how to behave during the class.

Illness

Do not practice when you are ill. If you feel ill or too tired to practice during a class, excuse yourself (sumimasen), bow to your partner and then approach Sensei. Bow, excuse yourself and ask if you can rest at the side of the mats or be excused from class.

Cleanup

Always help with the cleaning of the mats or dojo before or after class. The dojo and the mats contribute to the polishing of our "spiritual mirrors" and as such we must show respect and keep them clean.

Instruction

Only the Sensei and the designated assistants should instruct. Newer students often think they have learned enough to help others but this is due to inexperience and a lack of understanding. The best way to help your partner is by practicing diligently and taking good ukemi (following).

Never correct a Sensei. Although all Senseis try to emulate their instructors, every Sensei has his/her own interpretation of Aikido techniques. Instructions will vary from instructor to instructor and from day to day with the same instructor. Try to understand what is being taught at the moment. We should never tell our Sensei how to teach, how another Sensei teaches more effectively or how he/she could change his/her style of teaching so we could learn faster.

Our job is to learn from what we are being shown or told. Our instructors are giving a gift based upon years of study, practice and, in some cases, great sacrifice. With this gift comes the responsibility to treat others respectfully and to be an exemplary representative of Aikido.

Expressions

Onegai shimasu: (Please share with me); This is said to Sensei at the beginning of class, after he/she gives instruction to the entire class or when you ask him/her for help. You also say this to your partner before practicing a technique.
Domo Arigato gozaimashita: (Thank you very much); This is said to Sensei if he/she has given you personal instruction during class and to Sensei at the end of class. It is said to your partner after practicing a technique and to all partners at the end of practice.
Sumimasen: (I'm sorry / Excuse me); Accompanied by a bow, this is said to another practitioner or couple when you accidentally bump them or to your partner when you make a mistake.

Morihei Ueshiba

"In our techniques we enter completely into, blend totally with, and control firmly an attack. Strength resides where one's ki is concentrated and stable; confusion and maliciousness arise when ki stagnates."

Excerpted from The Art of Peace translated by John Stevens.