1.) The primer sheet given out in our dojo

2.) A few other notes on practicing

3.) A note on Bowing

1.)

This was originally written for the students in our Dojo, but it's what I wanted for this section of the site, so here it is.  Please keep in mind that these are the procedures and etiquette for the Dojo that I go to, and may well be different in others.  There is no right or wrong way to do this.  My Sensei and I decided that this sheet would be given to each new student before they entered into the class, in the hopes that they will be able to adjust more quickly.

This is for all existing and future Aikidoka to read and understand before entering the class.  We are trying to keep all of the traditional formalities as close as possible to how they were intended, so read this and ask if you have any questions.

For Beginners:  If this is your first class, please follow along as best you can.  It is not expected that you memorize this for your first class, but please try to read it over before, and take it home to read later.  The sooner you become comfortable with the etiquette the sooner you will be able to really start learning.

1)  When entering and leaving any Dojo, bow to the picture of O Sensei (founder of Aikido) or if there isn't one just bow to the Dojo in general.  This is a tradition of showing respect to the Founder of Aikido and the place which you have come to learn.

2)  Shoes and socks may not be worn in the Dojo, as well as any jewelry (watches, chains, earrings), as they can cause injury to yourself or others.

3)  If you are a new student, at the beginning of the class, sit on the far left of the students and follow their movements to bow in and out of class.  Traditionally the newer members of the class sit on the left, and it advances in rank to the right.

4)  If you are late to class, do not walk in and begin practicing.  Open the curtains a crack and await permission from the Sensei.  Go to the far left of the line-up, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RANK IS!

5)  When approaching the instructor on the mat, whether you ask him/her, or they call you, bow first and at the end.  Never yell out "Sensei" and/or beckon for instruction - raise your hand or just stop completely and wait in a standing position until you are approached by the instructor.

6)  Your partner is NOT an opponent.  Techniques are learned through a partner, not an opponent.  If a technique is not working, do not force it.  Do it slower and try to figure out what is wrong.  Using force will injure your partner and that is not the idea.  Aikido training is not competitive, it is cooperative.   Our class supports the philosophy "if you get hurt, it's your own
fault".  While this may seem strange now, it will make sense in the future.

7)  Every movement is important to the principles and spirit of Aikido.  Do every move as though it is the most important one, and assume that nothing is as easy as it looks (it's not).

8)  When changing partners during the class, you should acknowledge both the partner you are leaving as well as your new partner with a bow.

9)  Carry out the directives of the instructor promptly.  Do not keep the rest of the class waiting for you.

10)  A few DON'Ts:  lie on the mat, lean against the walls, sit with your legs stretched out, chew gum, have long finger or toenails, leave the mat without asking permission.

Someone who saw my page wrote me and asked me to post the procedures for the beginning and end of class, so here it is.  As I said before, this may be different in other Dojo's. At the beginning and end of class, students line up and follow this procedure:

If there is more than one senior ranking, the person on the right will do the ceremonies.  The senior student will sit on the far right and call out the following--

 1)  Yame--stand at attention
 2)  Za-ho--kneel down
 3)  Mokuso--begin meditating
 4)  Mokuso-Yasme--stop meditating
 5)  Shinden-ni-Rei--bow to O Sensei, the past of Aikido
 6)  Sensei-ni-Rei--bow to the Sensei, the present of Aikido
 7)  Otagani-Rei--bow to the students, the future of Aikido
 At the end of class add:
 5)  Kiritsu--stand up
 6)  Rei--bow to the Sensei

When bowing, the lowest ranking student should go down first, followed by the next, etc., until the Sensei has bowed.  He will rise first, followed by the most senior student, and back down, so the lowest ranking student goes down first and rises last.  Even if you are the same belt as someone to your right, you are still expected to go down first.   This is a ceremony of respect and honor, please treat it as such.

Counting in Japanese:
One:  Ichi (ee-ch)
Two:  Ni (Nee)
Three:  San (Saan)
Four:  Chi (Ch-ee)
Five:  Go (Go)
Six:   Roku (Rok)
Seven:  Shichi (Sh-i-ch)
Eight:  Hachi (Ha-ch)
Nine:  Ku (Ku)
Ten:  Ju (Ju)

Most importantly:  If you have any questions, ASK!!  This sheet is only supposed to be an introduction, but you should be asking questions to clarify everything.
 

2.)

• Aikido training begins the second you step into the dojo. Observe the proper etiquette at all times.
• Your training and progress is your own responsibility. It is not the responsibility of the Sensei to ensure you are learning. Most of us assume that a class environment should be like public school, where the teacher chases us to find out why our homework wasn't done, or encourages us to come for extra help. Aikido is more like University, where the teacher has too many students and not enough time, and all they can do is teach, it is the responsibility of the student to learn.
• When practicing Aikido one must focus on more than the technique. I've seen many students who assume they are proficient in Aikido because they made their partner fall down. The wrist and joint locks, if done even slightly well are painful, and applying more pressure will yes, cause pain and make your partner fall down. This means nothing. When performed correctly the techniques should not really hurt. Shiho-nage (four-corner throw) is a perfect example of this. With the arm bent backwards over the shoulder, pressure is applied. There is no pain, but there is also no way to resist, and we fall. Ideal Aikido techniques use the movement of the attacker and their own body against them. Relying on pain is incorrect to the philosophies.

3.)

A Note on Bowing

Many people ask about the idea of bowing in Aikido. It is a common misconception that bowing has some religious significance. There was a student in our dojo who refused to bow because he thought it would mean accepting some religion he knew nothing about. This is simply not true. In Western society, it is considered correct to shake someone's hand when being introduced, or as a sign of respect, or to say "please" and "thank you" when working with them. In Japanese culture, a bow may translate as all three of these. The idea is that we are studying a Japanese style, and this must encompass all that we do in the dojo.
 

This is only supposed to be a very general introduction to the etiquette of our class and Aikido.  If you have any questions about what I have here, please write and ask (evan.wainberg@utoronto.ca).  If your Dojo operates differently, I would be interested to know which ways, and if you have any questions, I suggest you ask your Sensei, or one of the senior students.

If you think there is something that this page needs added, please write and let me know.