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Aikido Dojos (Schools), like to promote a safe and harmonious environment. There is always an amount of respect between instructor and students alike. The philosophy, honesty and integrity of Aikido are integrated into daily practise.
Dojos operate and follow rules which come directly from the founder of Aikido, (Morihei Ueshiba, O Sensei), and all students are required to follow and honour his teachings. Each student should cooperate in creating a positive atmosphere of harmony and respect in the Dojo.
It is always good etiquette to arrive early and in good time for all classes.
It is traditional to perform a standing bow when entering and leaving the Dojo. All students should wear Zori, (sandals), too and from the Tatami, (the mats). When the Sensei enters the Dojo, All students should line up according to rank, in Seiza (a kneeling position), on the Tatami. All students should bow with Sensei towards the Kamiza, (a small shrine housing a picture of the founder O Sensei, usually on the far wall), and then returning Sensei’s bow stating "Onegaishamas", which translates as "please teach me".Similary at the end of each class, students will bow to the Kamiza and again return Sensei’s bow stating "Domo arigato gozaimashita", which translates as "thank you very much for teaching me".
During a class, students should perform a bow to old and new partners. If the instructor teaches you and your partner individually, you should kneel whilst watching your partner and both bow afterwards. During practise all students should make sure their Keikogi, (Kit worn by the student), is correctly tied and is clean and in good condition. A student should not wear jewellery, keep long hair tied back and keep finger and toe nails short and clean.
If arriving late for a class, a student should wait for permition from the instructor before stepping on to the Tatami, performing the correct standing and kneeling bows. If leaving a class early the student should ask permition from the instructor and again performing a kneeling bow before stepping of the Tatami and a standing bow before leaving the Dojo.
