dojo guidelines
Below you will find a general list of what is expected of you in the dojo. Watch more experienced members when confused, and do your best to learn from observation.
Remember that, at its heart, Aikido is a martial practice and should be approached with this intention. From the moment you enter the dojo, practice being alert, awake, and present.
A note on bowing in the dojo
Our practice is deeply rooted in the culture of Japan, and as such we have retained bowing as an aspect of our practice. But it is important to note that bowing in the dojo is done as a form of mutual respect, and is never used as a form of worship or as way to promote hierarchies. We begin class with a bow to the kamiza as an acknowledgment to the work of those before us to bring us the practice; we bow to each other as a form of respect and gratitude for helping each other to train.
Use this guide and your powers of observation to understand when and where bowing is used.
arrival
Every time you enter the dojo, it is a chance to be fully and vibrantly alive in the present. The actions you perform upon arrival to train should serve as a way to clarify your intentions and drop any distractions you may be inclined to bring with you.
As you enter the dojo, raise your vision to take in the entire space and proceed to remove your shoes and step onto the mat. Before proceeding to change into your uniform, perform a seated bow toward the center of the dojo.
From the moment you enter, evaluate your vision, breathing, and awareness; many aspects of life encourage tunnel vision, shallow breathing, and a scattered attention. Use this chance to prepare yourself to train properly.
Change into your uniform promptly and return to the mat, performing one seated bow toward the kamiza, and another toward the center of the mat. Bring your awareness first to anything left to do to prepare the dojo for training (cleaning, organization) and then ready your body and mind for training.
While one naturally will focus on their own training development, it is important to remain aware to the needs of those around you. Always keep an eye out for things that need to be done in the dojo, including cleaning and helping fellow members.
Be on time, eliminate distractions, and keep your personal effects in order.
Do your best to arrive with enough time to be ready to train by the class start time, and ensure that your training uniform is clean and that your nails are cut short. In order to maintain a focused and disciplined environment, please do not use your devices while in the dojo, and be courteous to others by storing your personal items in a neat and tidy way.
training
Our time together in the dojo is short; bring everything you have and endeavor to remain alert and positive in every moment. Be vigilant with yourself by continually working to overcome distractions and losses of focus. A vital aspect of martial skill is the ability to be present and aware even when it is the most difficult.
Focused and alert while learning; expansive and energetic while training.
Cultivating the discipline to learn is not easy but can be cultivated through practice. When watching demonstrations, sit upright in a kneeling posture and never against walls or with your legs extended. Once the instruction has concluded, bring a strong energy and return to practicing immediately. Train with utmost sincerity, holding nothing back.
Train vigorously with each other, but maintain a feeling of mutual benefit.
As your training progresses, it will naturally become more powerful and dynamic. It is vital that this process occurs in collaboration with your fellow members, not in opposition to them. Challenging and pushing each other will happen more and more as you progress; this is natural. But always remember that we work in the dojo to sharpen each other, not defeat each other.
Train with everyone. Always. New students should be energetic and proactive in finding partners with more experience, and experienced practitioners should be strong and encouraging to everyone. Never wait around passively waiting for a training partner.
A permanent feature of martial training is dealing with the unexpected. While natural affinities with specific training partners will develop and are encouraged, it is important never to develop preferences in such a way that cause you to avoid other members. We are all walking the path together and it is our responsibility to train with each other, even if it is difficult.
departure
Exiting the dojo is a mirror image of entering it. As we enter, we build a sense of focus to help drop the distractions of our daily life; as we leave, we take that focus with us to contend with those distractions within our daily life. Keep your focus sharp as you prepare yourself to leave and maintain a positive spirit.
Once training is completed, everyone helps each other with the cleaning and maintenance of the dojo.
Essential to the cultivation of martial discipline and responsibility, maintaining a clean and orderly training environment is a task shared by all. It is an acknowledgement that we are not simply training for ourselves, and that our actions and presence have an effect on our surroundings.
Perform a seated bow at the edge of the mat just before preparing yourself to leave.
Use this chance to collect yourself before returning to your life. Try to capture and maintain the focus and energy you developed while training.
Strive to make the distinction disappear between your mentality inside and outside of the dojo. Work with unceasing vigor to become the clearest and most vital version of yourself, and work with dedication to actualize it in your daily life.
