Dojo Rules and Guidelines
1. Karate students must always give all due respect to their instructors and Karate seniors. Instructors must always be approached with a bow and addressed as “Mr/Ms. ________” or “Sensei”. Preferably, ‘Sensei”. Senior Karate students should be addressed as “Sempai”.
2. Karate students must obey the instructions of their instructors and their Karate seniors.
3. Karate students should always be courteous and helpful to each other.
4. Karate students must be punctual at all scheduled training sessions.
5. Karate students must help to keep the dojo clean and in good repair.
6. Karate students must wear the traditional karate-gi correctly at all training sessions.
7. Karate students must keep their karate-gi clean and in a good state of repair.
8. Karate students must keep their bodies clean, their finger and toenails trimmed.
9. Karate students must not wear jewelry or any sharp objects when training. Females must not wear pins to fasten their gi jackets. Rather, they should wear a t-shirt or leotard underneath their gi. Or they may attach ties to the lapel as an alternative.
10. Karate students must not chew gum or have candy or food in their mouths while in the dojo.
11. Karate students must not engage in idle conversation while in the dojo.
12. Karate students must remain quiet and attentive when not exercising.
13. Karate students must learn when and how to sit in the dojo.
14. Karate students must learn when and how to perform risturei (standing bow) and zarei (kneeling bow).
15. Karate students must practice only those techniques that have been formally shown by their instructors.
16. Karate students must always be serious, sincerely entering into the spirit of Karate, especially during kihon kumite (basic sparring) and shiai (contest). The spirit of fair play, obedience to referee’s judgment and maintaining proper attitude during match or practice are of great importance.
17. The use of alcoholic beverages will not in any way enhance the performance of the Karate exponent and should be avoided. Under no circumstances should a student who has been drinking be allowed to train. Aside from possible undignified conduct, it is possible and probable that injury will result either to the drinker, his partner or both.
