DOJO ETIQUETTE

RESPECT
Respect is a word that is very closely associated with etiquette. A display of true etiquette will have similar morals towards someone or something you value and respect. Karate begins and ends with courtesy and respect. Respect is a word you will hear again and again throughout martial arts and its importance cannot be overemphasized. It plays a key role in martial arts it would be useless to train without it.
Respect the dojo, respect the knowledge taught to you and most of all respect each other. When studying martial arts a student must always remember that they are receiving a gift of knowledge, passed down time and time before them and should be acknowledged with utmost importance. If a student has a problem following basic etiquette, simple courtesy or respect they should go elsewhere as they have no future within the martial art. In the dojo respect must be earned and not demanded. Everyone wants to receive respect, the fastest route to receiving it is to give respect with conviction.

DOJO
To respect the dojo is to demonstrate dojo etiquette. We appreciate the dojo we train in as without it there would be nowhere to train or teach. Appreciation of the dojo is shown firstly by removing shoes and socks upon entering as the dojo is a sacred place. Upon entering the dojo, a sign of respect is demonstrated with a simple bow (Rei) to give thanks; for the dojo, the students in it, your teacher / teachers, seniors, the martial art itself and the people who have travelled the journey before you. Upon entering the dojo, your worries of the day / week and the outside world should be left behind as you are there to train and learn. Your body and mind should be relaxed and focused. Enter practice with a focused mind and follow proper etiquette.
Don’t bring issues into the dojo as it is considered an insult and it has no benefit to one self or to anyone else. No matter how tired or how tough things may be, if you don’t give 100% input into your training it is seen to be poor dojo etiquette. At the conclusion of each class instructors and students will bow (Rei) to display their appreciation for the class they have received.
Respect the founder's teachings as interpreted and taught by Sensei. Respect the dojo, respect your training tools, and respect each other.

SENSEI \ MASTER
Demonstrate true etiquette for your Sensei or teacher as without them your karate training would not be possible. Understand that he or she has travelled the journey before you and questioning or criticizing their knowledge is considered poor etiquette and an insult.

You must always bow to your Sensei before and after consulting with them as a sign of respect. Pay attention to your Sensei as you are privileged to share their knowledge. If there was no Sensei, there there would be no Karate family. Sensei is the glue that holds the the family together and sets the general tone. After Sensei gives instruction a short bow is necessary, this thanks them for the instruction and also signals a clear understanding of their training directions. Sensei is of utmost importance and should be put before anyone else at all times as a display of true karate etiquette. A student must also understand that there is no amount of money that can repay Sensei for this knowledge that will be passed on to you. Dojo etiquette is performed from white belt level all the way through to black belt level. Etiquette will differ slightly from one style to another due to the people within it. True dojo etiquette will start from the top (highest Grades) and filter throughout the karate family all the way to the bottom (beginner status). Only through sensei and the senior grades can one hope to have dojo etiquette at its highest level. Seniors must maintain high standards of etiquette, therefore it will filter throughout the dojo keeping it a happy comfortable environment.

SEMPAI / BLACK BELTS
Dojo etiquette should be the same for black belts as it is for students, Sensei or Master. The black belts have travelled the journey that kyu grades are undertaking and should be respected and acknowledged for it. It is poor dojo etiquette to criticize or question a black belt and will not be tolerated. True dojo etiquette should not be taught but developed within every student. True etiquette should become second nature driven by a students feelings, not demanded from anyone else. For example: when two students are walking towards the dojo exit, if the lower grade feels it would be courteous to let the higher grade exit first, it should be done. It is called true etiquette. True etiquette is practiced 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

STUDENTS
Within the dojo, age, wealth, strength, power, is irrelevant. Etiquette and respect should be taken into account by a student’s grade and experience. Upon stepping into the dojo, you should leave your problems behind, enter practice, with a focused mind and follow proper etiquette. Students should work together to help each other improve and perfect their training. The same loyalty directed to your brother or sister should be demonstrated towards each other throughout the dojo. We are all brothers and sisters within the dojo, all part of a unique family. As martial arts prepare us to fight, there is never any desire to hurt one another or put any one down in any other way. Friendship is a very powerful ally that supports etiquette.

IN CONCLUSION
Dojo etiquette is within each and every one of us. Whether we realize it and choose to display it, is a different story. If acknowledged and implemented, it is the first step to respect and value, a cause more important than your self. Respect, honesty, discipline are the ways of the dojo, not competitiveness, greed and selfishness. Appreciate the gift of the martial art being handed down to you and don’t for a second question the traditional teachings. True etiquette is practiced not just in the dojo but every second of the day throughout life. Look out for each other and respect students of all grades around you. Display the highest gratitude for your black belts and especially your Sensei / Master, as without them your training would not exist. Etiquette will become common sense if you let it. You should feel true etiquette from inside, only then will you know the difference between poor and true etiquette. Respect the dojo, respect your Sensei, respect the martial art, respect your seniors, peers and your surroundings. Only then, can you learn and develop yourself and let your martial art begin to grow within you.