Dojo Rules
I think it’s a good time to trot out a document that most of you may not have seen, since it’s buried in the web site a bit: the Dojo Rules. There are a few in here that I think we could show a bit more care with.
The first is the wearing of jewelry in class. People are constantly wearing bracelets, earrings, watches, and so on. This is dangerous, to you and your fellow practitioners. I wear a watch to keep time: do you notice that I virtually always take it off when I do something with a student? Please, take off your jewelry.
The second is our mouths. I have heard some swearing lately — in the locker rooms, and even on the floor — and I think we all need to be more conscious of how we represent ourselves in the dojo. Thinking back, I may have been guilty of this myself. Let’s do better. The dojo is a special place where we should speak, act, walk, and practice like the exceptional people we strive to be. This includes the locker rooms and the parking lot. This applies even when (we think) no one else is in the building with us. And it includes the dojo at my house. Once you’re off site (or out of my garage), I don’t care how you talk. But when we are at the dojo, we need to do better. For you, for me, and for the image of the dojo.
The rest of the rules are listed below. Please take a minute and browse through them. I think I did a decent job when I wrote them, and it’s good to consider them every now and then. Just like your front kick, these rules are a part of your training.
1. Safety is always the first concern. There is to be no horse play or rough-housing. You are not to practice without trained supervision, and you will never attempt to cause harm to another member of the class. If you are ever unsure of how to perform a technique correctly, ask the instructor for help.
2. Courtesy and respect are to be maintained at all times, both for the teacher and your fellow students.
3. There is to be no swearing or foul language.
4. There is to be no harassing or picking on others for any reason! In this environment, we are all equal, regardless of profession, race, gender, religion, income, sexual orientation, or anything else. Everyone who wants to participate and follow the rules will be welcomed with open arms. Every student will be treated with respect by all teachers and his or her fellow students, no matter what.
5. Please try to arrive at class on time. Your time with the instructor is precious, and you should use it wisely.
6. You are never to set your belt on the floor, use it as a toy or “whip,” or do anything that shows a lack of respect. It is a representation of your own achievement; as such, to be disrespectful of your belt is to show disrespect to your rank and the teacher who awarded it. In the course of your training (doing push-ups or being thrown, for example), your belt will touch the ground. This is fine. But your belt should never touch the ground unless it is part of the normal course of your training. You will also never wash your belt.
7. You are to practice good personal hygiene when you are coming to class. Wash your uniform (but never your belt) before each class. You should keep your hair clean, and keep fingernails and toenails trimmed.
8. If you are ever training with an injury, you MUST tell the instructor so that appropriate adjustments to training can be made. Otherwise, you risk worsening the injury.
9. No jewelry is to be worn in class. This includes, but is not limited to, rings (including wedding rings), toe rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, watches, earrings, any other type of jewelry for a piercing (including belly button rings and other piercings that are not readily visible under the uniform). This is for YOUR SAFETY and the safety of those around you. Piercings, in particular, can result in nasty injuries if accidentally kicked, punched, pulled, etc. You may, however, wear glasses if you require them.
10. You are not to wear your belt outside the classroom unless you have a good reason (such as practicing, performing in a demonstration, et cetera).
