Where to Put Gear and Shoes: When you arrive at the dojo, if you have a bag or any gear, you must put it alongside the walls of the dojo by the benches. There should be no gear or bags or outside corridor obstructing foot traffic areas.

 

Arriving Late to Class: Students and parents must try their absolute best to be on time or early to every class. This is a matter of developing your self discipline, and showing respect for your sensei and your classmates. However, it is better to come to class late than never, so students that arrive late to class must kneel down at the side of the class until the sensei acknowledges them to join the class.

 

Bowing: All students are required to bow whenever they enter or exit the dojo door. This is an important part of paying respect to ourselves, the place we train, our sensei’s and our fellow students, and developing our personal self discipline.

 

Come Prepared: Students must come to the dojo prepared for class. This means students must:

 

• arrive on time

 

• be ready to train, having practiced at home since the last class

 

• wear complete, clean uniform with belt tied correctly

 

• bring sparring mitts if applicable

 

 

Pickup/After Class: Students under the age of 18 must wait inside the dojo for their parents. Parents must come into the dojo to pick them up after class. Parents should note that children will not be allowed to wait outside until they see their car, but rather must be picked up in person by a family member or guardian.

 

Hygiene and Safety: For the safety of all students during self defence and sparring, for general hygienic concerns, and in order to be respectful towards oneself and the dojo, students must come to class with:

 

• uniforms clean and free from excessive wrinkles

 

• fingernails and toenails clean and clipped short

 

• clean hair and skin – remember, you will be working in close contact with other students and must be considerate of your training partners

 

• belt tied correctly

 

• longer hair restrained appropriately

 

• no jewellery or watches may be worn in class

 

• female students should wear appropriate undergarments or t-shirts underneath their gi tops

                                                               

 

Failure to come to class with the appropriate attire/physical hygiene may result in the student being asked to leave and/or rectify the situation before returning to class.

Respect for School Property: Students must show respect for the place that they train, the people they train with, and those who teach them. This is why we bow, behave in class, and show respect to those around us. This is also why all dojo property must be respected. This includes:

 

• School/Dojo décor, chairs, changing rooms, toilets, doors, walls, etc. must be used as one would use them in their own home. No slamming, knocking things over, drawing on things, breaking things, pulling on things, or otherwise damaging any item in the school or dojo.

 

• In order to keep walkways clear, all gear and bags must be stored alongside the walls of the dojo.

 

• Mistakes can happen, and that is alright, but individuals will be held financially responsible for any dojo gear, décor or property purposefully or negligently damaged.

 

 

Communication: Periodically students will need to be informed of schedule changes, policy updates, demos, tournaments, gradings, etc. This information will be posted at the dojo. Additionally, the change/information will also be communicated in at least one (probably most) of the following ways: Via our website, facebook page, announcements in class, and/or fliers handed to students at class.

 

Students are asked to practice their awareness, discipline and self-reliance by paying careful attention to announcements/postings at the dojo or on our website, facebook or e-mail sent to them from the dojo.

 

 

Disruptive Behaviour in Class: In order to take classes at the dojo, students must have a minimum level of self-control and focus. They must be able to take simple directions and focus on one task for at least a few minutes at a time. Our qualified Sensei’s are skilled at adapting classes to challenge all, but not leave behind any student. However, if a student continually disrupts class by not following directions, they will be given two warnings and then asked to sit out of class.

 

 

Fighting – Inside or Outside the Dojo: Fighting will not be tolerated. There is a difference between sparring and fighting. Fighting disregards the feelings of others and comes from anger and violence. Sparring is a tool to train the mind, body and spirit to work together quickly and efficiently. In the Bushido code, Courtesy, Humility, and Honour are held paramount. Fighting disregards all of these. At the dojo, we are a family, and all dojo brothers and sisters should support each other in the pursuit of Kaizen (Constant and Never Ending Improvement). Any students caught fighting in or outside of the dojo will be suspended from classes for at least one week. Subsequent fighting will result in being expelled from our school.

 

 

Language: Swearing, foul or perverse language is not acceptable. Courtesy means showing respect for the minds and hearts of your fellow students, and no degrading language will be tolerated. This includes swearing, taunting, and insults of any kind.