JKAI NOIDA DOJO RULES

 (Updated on June 16, 2004)

 

ALL MEMBERS OF / VISITORS TO THE JKAI NOIDA DOJO ARE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THESE RULES, SIGN IN ACCEPTANCE, SUBMIT THEM TO THE DOJO, AND THEN SIGN IN THE REGISTER BEFORE STARTING TO TRAIN. (It is strongly recommended to keep a copy for your own record.)

 

1.      You will not approach or walk on the Dojo floor area with shoes on. However, you must wear shoes or sandals to and from the dressing/wash rooms and the Dojo floor.

2.      Your Dues to the Dojo are to be paid in advance, before the start of each class, whether you are a regular member or a visitor. Place all cash in an envelope with your name and amount of cash written clearly on the outside, and ensure that you sign the appropriate register. Regular members, who do not pay, will not be allowed to train without paying the ‘pop-in’ class charges.

3.      New admissions, wishing to be regular members, must pay the whole monthly charge for that particular month if they start training before or on the 15^th day of the month. If they join from the 16^th day onwards, they will pay half the monthly charge for that particular month. All training charges are non-refundable.

4.      For getting the most out of what you pay at the Dojo, please be as regular as possible. You will have to pay the monthly charge at the beginning of each month in advance, regardless of when you started to train, and/or how frequent you were, in the previous month.

5.      All Karateka must kneel and Bow upon entering/exiting the Dojo floor. If a senior is already inside, you must first seek his/her permission to enter/exit.

6.      Always address the Instructor as “Sensei”, and your senior as “Sempai”, whether inside or outside the Dojo.

7.      The senior-most student is expected to give the order to line-up and sit in Seiza (kneeling position) one minute before the start of each class. When Sensei enters the Dojo, the ritual of, Mokuso (meditation), recital of Dojo kun (codes), and paying respect to Shomen (the sacred wall), to Sensei, Sempai gata (if more than one)_and Otagai (to each other) is carried out. The same is to be repeated at the end of the class after Sensei announces, "Owarimasu!".

8.      When bowing to the Sensei/Sempai at the beginning of the class, announce, “Onegai shimasu!” (Honoured to have you teach me!) At the end of the class, bow and announce, “Domo arigato gozaimashita!” (Thank you very much!)

9.      You must respect all your lower/higher grades, and add the suffix “-san” when addressing your juniors.

10.  Whenever you are given instructions or a command, always respond with a loud, "Ossu!", and do what is asked of you instantaneously, without wasting time.

11.  You must arrive early enough to get into your Gi, and be ready when the class is called to order. If you are late, please wait until the class is over and ask for permission to train in the next class. In case you cannot train in the next class, just sit outside quietly and take notes.

12.  Avoid sitting in the Dojo with your back to Sensei. You should never lean against the wall, lie down, or sit with your legs stretched out. Always sit in Seiza. When Sensei explains, it is wise to pay attention and learn… especially from the mistakes of others.

13.  In the Dojo, you must give 100%…physically, mentally and spiritually… if you don’t feel like doing so… don’t turn up!! However, experience will prove to you that once you are in the dojo, all else will stop to matter. Remember to endeavour and persevere.

14.  Your attendance in the Dojo, combined with self-practice everyday at home, determines the rate of your progress… physical, mental & spiritual. It also determines how quickly you advance in rank. In most JKA Dojo, it is recommended that you attend class at least three times per week (for children), and at least twice a week (for adults).

15.  Only Sensei can authorize you to take a grade exam.  Always check with Sensei about sitting for an exam and do not simply assume you can do so without prior permission.

16.  Keep your body clean. Hair-oil is not permitted. Be considerate towards your fellow-trainees… no one wants to associate with individuals who don’t maintain personal hygiene.

17.  Finger/toe nails must be kept short and clean at all times. This is also a safety measure.

18.  Your Karatedo-Gi, (uniform), must be clean, white and free from rips or odours.

19.  You must never, unless instructed, touch the Gi (uniform) or Obi (belt) of a senior.

20.  Jewelry (rings; bracelets; chains; earrings) and watches must not be worn during training.

21.  Female students must wear a proper sports bra, and closed-neck t-shirt during training.

22.  All male students will refrain from wearing any t-shirts/vests, beneath their Gi jacket at any time during training.

23.  In traditional Japanese culture, Hachimaki (headbands) are a sign of true commitment to an art, vowing never to quit. Unless you are truly prepared to commit wholeheartedly to your endeavour, there is no point wearing headbands. It is also not proper to wear wristbands in class, (as a rule of the thumb... if it did not come with the Dogi, it doesn't need to be worn.)

24.  Do not leave behind any valuables, or personal belongings in the Dojo. If you misplace something in the Dojo, the Instructors, the Dojo, or The School will not be held responsible.

25.  Mobile phones, whether yours, or of visitors, are to be turned off in the Dojo.

26.  You must remain obedient and attentive in the Dojo, even when not exercising or practicing. Do not engage in idle chitchat or horseplay while in the Dojo, especially during class.

27.  When asked to come to the front of the Dojo and assist the Instructor, do so quickly and with honour. Never hesitate, look away, or be afraid when Sensei is demonstrating with you.

28.  If you need to ask a question regarding the technique being taught, wait till the Instructor asks for your questions, or else, till end of the class.

29.  Go back home and practice what is taught, eliminate the weaknesses pointed out, and work on improving your over-all performance. Lacking the spirit to endeavour is shameful.

30.  Do not practice any technique that has not been formally introduced to you by the Instructor.

31.  You must not engage in jiyu-kumite (free-sparring), or randori (full-contact combat), without being under the direct supervision of the Instructor.

32.  Seek to be humble… Humility is a sign of Greatness.

33.  You must share in the responsibility of keeping the Dojo safe and clean. So if the floor needs mopping, please go ahead and do so... without hesitating.

34.  You must never complain, tell tales, or talk back to your seniors.

35.  Do not throw anything (bags, mitts, belts, watches, keys, books, loose techniques, tantrums, mood fits, negative attitude, etc.) while inside the Dojo. Your behaviour says a lot about you.