Hygiene and Proper Attire All members are to maintain a high standard of hygiene and neatness. It applies to your dojo and to all dojos that you might be visiting.
1.All students are to properly wear the uniform (dogi, belt/obi, hakama) and maintain a clean uniform. Dogis should be washed every couple of uses, more if you sweat a lot.
2.Please do not wear dirty, smelly, or torn/ripped dogi or hakama to class.
3. During class, if you need to retie your belt, bow to your partner, move to the side of the mat and retie.
4.Before class and before stepping onto the mat, wash your hands and wipe off your feet. After class, do the same.
5.Wear slippers when using the bathroom, do not walk in the bathroom with bare feet.
6. Keep finger nails and toe nails clean, trimmed, and short. Long nails are dangerous and can cause scratching and bleeding on the mat - please no long nails.
7.Hair should be kept clean and neat. Hair that is shoulder length or longer should be neatly and securely tied up or braided, and out of the face and eyes, not blocking your vision.
8.Please remove all jewelry before stepping on the mat. Training with rings or earrings is dangerous and necklaces can easily be broken.
9.Be neat, pay attention to your hygiene, and maintain the body you have. Aikido is a path to learning how to command and use your body, maintain your posture, and do the right action. Opening/Closing Class and Mat Rules Please respect the mat space and uphold protocols for opening a class and completing the training session.
10.When entering the mat area, students step onto the mat from the left side. Do not step or walk over weapons when stepping onto or off of the mat. Step with the left foot first, move to the far left, sit in seiza and bow to the shomen.
11.The Sensei teaching the class steps onto the mat from the right side.
12. Students rei/bow to the Sensei when they enter the dojo and when they step on to the mat.
13.If you arrive late and class has already started, get dressed, sit in seiza by the mat and wait until the Sensei motions for you to step onto the mat.
14. Once you are on the mat do not get off the mat once class has started. If you need to step off the mat, please ask the Sensei first.
15. Mind your belongings and weapons, be mindful of others' weapons. Please do not move or handle someone else's weapons without their ok.
16.If there is time before the class start, practice ukemi, aikishintaiso, and other preparatory movements.
17.During the class, when the Sensei gives lessons, instructions, and demonstration, students sit in seiza, pay attention, and bow to the Sensei upon receiving. A student may receive a lesson or instruction at any time, on or off the mat.
18.Students line up at the beginning and end of class. Pay attention to line up quickly, quietly, and efficiently. The highest ranking student will set the starting point for the line that other students then follow. Sit straight in seiza and bow following the Sensei.
19. Gage the number of students in the class, place and center yourself in a balanced manner across the width distance of the mat area, from right to left, by rank and seniority. If there are several people with the same rank, the order is date of rank, then seniority of age. Students should know who their seniors are, and know their place.
20.Rei/bow with hands in a triangular position, after you bow open the eyes for peripheral vision. Without moving your head, notice when the person to your right raises. This is the cue for when you rise. In this way it will be balanced in space, timing and movement.
21.After the class ends, students bow and thank each other; and bow to the Sensei when they step off the mat.
22.Students should quickly and mindfully fold their hakama. If one wishes to fold the hakama of another, it is a choice and gesture of gratitude and respect. Any rank may ask any Sensei or practitioner.