Dojo Rules
The Dojo is the place where the teachings of the martial art are passed on to practitioners; as such it must be a place where seriousness and respect prevail. In ASKKSA dojos, the traditional rules of good conduct characteristic of Japanese dojos, the place of Karate's origin, are followed.
Therefore, it is important that every karateka understands that within the training area (and preferably in all other daily situations) they should behave according to the moral heritage of this martial art. The rules below must be understood and respected by all practitioners in our dojos.
Care and Respect for the Training Space
The DOJO is the responsibility of all who use its space. Feel at home to provide information to visitors, tidy what is untidy, and clean what is dirty.
Contribute as much as you can to the improvement of the club’s facilities.
Hygiene and Personal Presentation
Maintain personal hygiene and keep your Karate-Gi (Kimono) clean.
Always enter the training area with clean hands and feet and well-trimmed nails.
Do not wear jewellery (rings, earrings, bracelets, watches), strong perfumes or any accessory that might interfere with your training or that of your partners.
Do not walk around the Dojo without being fully dressed.
Entering and Leaving the Dojo
When entering and leaving the training area always salute standing to the space.
If you arrive after the class has started, enter quietly, sit in SEIZA, and ask permission from the highest-ranked instructor to join the training. After their permission, salute and join the group.
If you really need to leave before the end of training, always ask permission from the instructor/monitor. NEVER leave during training without their authorisation.
Behaviour During Classes
Maintain silence and concentration during training.
When the instructor/monitor is demonstrating a technique, remain seated, silent and attentive. If you do not understand well, watch others, try the little you have understood, and wait for correction by the instructor.
If it is absolutely necessary to ask the instructor/monitor something, call them quietly by raising your right arm. Never shout to get their attention.
Always sit in SEIZA or cross-legged. Do not sit leaning against the wall or in any other position. Always maintain good posture in all situations.
Never use your mobile phone inside the dojo during training times.
Even outside the class area, keep silent during training and do not talk to those who are training.
Relationship with Instructors
Inside the dojo, NEVER address instructors by their first name, even if you have a close relationship with them. The most appropriate is to call them Sensei (Teacher).
Train exactly as instructed by the instructor/monitor. If you wanted to do it your own way, you would not need to come to the dojo.
Never argue with the instructor/monitor, even if another instructor said something different. There are various ways to perform techniques and different instructors may have had different training experiences, which does not mean any of them are wrong. You should simply follow each instructor, in each lesson, to the best of your ability.
Training and Relationship with Partners
Do not refuse to train with any partner when directed by the instructor.
Help those who need it, but never correct your partner unless you are the instructor/monitor of the class and/or a black belt.
Never think you are disturbing anyone by not knowing how to perform a technique. We are all learning, helping each other.
Respect higher-ranked students (especially black belts) and never argue whether techniques are right or wrong. Remember that they did not reach their rank by mere chance.
Train diligently and energetically but always respect your partner’s physical integrity. Classes always include people of different genders, ages and physical abilities. While the ideal is to train as vigorously as possible, the physical capacities and training goals of each partner must be considered. Everyone has different conditions and reasons for training. We must respect their expectations.
Be aware of what is happening around you. Adjust the intensity of your movements to your physical condition. Take responsibility for yourself.
Do not skip any technique (unless injured).
Practical and Health Aspects
If you have any injury or physical limitation, you must inform the instructor before starting training.
Avoid attending classes if you have any contagious illness spread by air or contact.
Do not be late or fail to pay fees. If you need to be absent for a while due to travel or illness, inform the instructor. Remember your contribution is necessary to cover the expenses of running a karate dojo.
