Rules of Conduct

The rules of conduct that participants are required to follow at the Hellenic Aikido Association's dojo are the following:

1. On entering the dojo the participant bows in the direction of the shomen, which is the wall on which the picture of the Founder of Aikido is set. This bow implies respect towards the Founder and has no religious connotation, while it also reminds the participant that he/she is leaving the world outside and is beginning the practice of Aikido.

2. As is customary with most interior spaces in Japan, the participant is required to remove his/her shoes on entering the dojo, and to place them on the shoe racks that are found next to the entrance. The health and cleanliness reasons for this gesture are self evident.

3. The participant signs his/her name in the attendance book, in following with the practice of the respective dojo. This procedure must be followed without fail as the appropriate number of attendances will confirm the participant 's eligibility to participate in kyu and dan grading examinations.

4. Prior to entering the changing rooms for changing into his/her gi uniform, the participant must remove any jewelry, watches etc and leave these at the administration office of the dojo, together with any other similar items that may be worn. All mobile phones must also be silenced.

5. Once changed into uniform, a participant must ensure that he/she satisfies the rules of safety and hygiene, and then move to the tatami. For walking within the dojo it is appropriate to wear a pair of sandals (such as flip flops) which are placed at the edge of the tatami. Their correct placing is facing outwards from the mat, so that the participant can wear them quickly upon exiting.

6. The entrance onto the tatami is from the near right hand corner, always facing the shomen, and with a bow towards the Founder. Similarly the exit from the tatami is made from the same point and following the same procedure. Generally it is appropriate to avoid turning one's back to the shomen, apart from those situations when a uniform must be corrected (for fixing a belt etc).

7. The participant should consider participation also to include possible cleaning chores which are normally undertaken before the beginning of class. On this point it is appropriate to follow the directions of more senior participants or uchi-deshi of the dojo, who are better acquainted with cleaning requirements.

8. If free time is available, participants can warm up or practice falling techniques (ukemi), which can be undertaken with the assistance of more senior participant s. The most senior participant should assist the more junior.

9. Five minutes before the scheduled commencement of class, the participant must sit in seiza position in lined order of seniority, and remain there in silence until the clap of hands which signals the start. Order of sitting is in a straight line opposite the shomen, with the more senior participants to the right and the more junior to the left. Participants sit in such a way as to cover the entire length of the tatami, and if they are too crowded they should form a second row, starting from the right.

10. While undertaking techniques, participants must follow the instructions of the sensei, to the extent that these are comprehended. If they encounter a problem they must raise their hand and ask the sensei to explain it to them. The attention of the sensei is never requested in a loud manner.

11. If a participant is late for class he/she must change quickly and stand to attention at the point of entrance outside the tatami, waiting for the most senior practitioner to signal his entry. He/she does not draw attention that he/she is waiting, as a late arrival is a shortcoming of the student.

12. If a participant requires to leave training before the official ending of class, he/she must inform the sensei in advance. When a participant requires to leave, he/she should remind the sensei of this, leaving the tatami once the sensei is showing something, or other participants are executing some technique.

13. When a participant leaves the tatami before end of class, for urgent reasons beyond his/her control, it is expected that the dojo will also be vacated. Should a participant remain and simply chat with other participant s or visitors, the original urgency for leaving class becomes questionable and gives a poor impression of conduct to others.

14. If a participant is injured or unwell he/she must inform the sensei immediately and stop any activity. In this event he/she may sit and watch if desired, but quietly and with appropriate seriousness.

15. If a participant is watching a class off the mat, it is appropriate to stand up during formal commencement of class and upon final conclusion.

16. If weapons are used at any point all participant s must exercise particular care. Respect for weapons is required as these can easily injure a practitioner or fellow participants.

17. Transportation of weapons from/to the dojo must always be undertaken in a case (made of cloth or other suitable material). This ensures protection of weapons and gives out an appropriate image to others. For reasons of safety and proper conduct, particular care must be given to steel swords - if these are available in the dojo. Any use of such weapons must be avoided except where indicated otherwise by the sensei.

18. One of the best known sayings of Morihei Ueshiba is that Aikido must be practiced in a secure, lively and pleasant way. This saying does not excuse any negligence, idle conversation or flippant joking during or after demonstration, whether on or off the mat. It should not be forgotten that Aikido is a martial art whose techniques are potentially dangerous, and therefore the participant must be attentive to protect him/her self as well as fellow participants.

19. Out of respect for the sensei and out of humility, the participant should remember that only the sensei who is present is showing. Any ''showing off'' between pairs of participants (especially if one of a pair is the more junior) must be avoided as this is rarely helpful in practice. On the contrary infractions inevitably create confusion in the dojo and distract attention, as well as creating a poor image of the dojo to visitors.

20. Each time the participant is called up by the sensei, the former should respond with 'hai sensei' (or 'hai senpai' depending on the person). Commencement of techniques should begin with a small bow (and not a nod).

21. Each time the sensei directs participants to follow an instruction, they should respond quickly but not hastily, pairing up with a fellow participant and taking up an appropriate position. Every technique begins and ends with a bow between paired participants, including when there is a change of roles between nage and uke. If a participant so wishes it is acceptable to begin a technique saying 'Onegai Shimas(u)' and concluding with 'Domo Arigato'. For the interpretation of these phrases see: Onegai Shimas(u) and Domo Arigato.

22. The participant must leave the dojo as he/she found it, which means not leaving personal items in the changing rooms or mishandling items. Each dojo is literally a place of 'enlightenment', where every existing object is available for the assistance of everyone, and should be handled with due care and respect. The only exception to this rule is for leaving hakamas, as sometimes they are not easy to carry. In this event the most senior participant s should hang them on clothes hangers and ensure that they do not take up more space than necessary.

23. It is a legal fire safety requirement that objects (bags, clothes etc) must not be left on changing room floors. Clothes hangers and shelves are available for placing objects.

24. In all areas of the dojo smoking and the consumption of soft drinks and alcohol is prohibited.