Dojo etiquette

Traditions and behavior in training

We do not have a strict training regime. However, we have some very basic "custom" rules. The purpose of these is partly to keep the training safe, and to ensure that everyone has a good training experience. These are a set of traditional values (budo-spirit) that have been associated with Japanese martial arts for hundreds of years, and which are important to take care of and which help to define ju jitsu as martial arts:

• Respect the traditional greeting rules. A traditional greeting (rei) should be performed when you enter the mat, when lining up, when you turn to an instructor and when you leave the mat.

• Before training, you need to remove watches, hair clips, jewelry and the like

• Training takes place barefoot if nothing else is announced, or if you have to wear footwear for special reasons. Clean feet are a nice gesture that is greatly appreciated

• Do not leave the mat without telling the instructor. When you return, contact the instructor again. This has to do with your safety

• Be a good training partner. Always respect your partner's tap signal! Do not oppose your partner in training; work instead with him/her

• The instructor's instructions must be followed at all times! You should practice what you have been told and nothing else

• Have respect for the division of roles on the mat as well as your own and others' limitations. This applies whether you are a beginner or advanced.

• When the instructor stops training, stop the activity you are doing immediately and turn your attention to the instructor. Do not talk while the instructor is talking

• You can call the instructor's attention by saying his/her name or title (sensei, renshi, etc.). Shouting "you!", "hello!", "come here" or the like is very rude and it should not occur.

• Avoid unnecessary chatter while on the mat. We are on the mat to train! Questions that are not directly related to the training should be directed to the relevant person before or after training

• Inappropriate behavior (yawning, yelling, belching, rude comments and other negative behavior) should not occur on the mats at all

• Exercise good hygiene before and after exercise. Also remember to wash your training clothes.