1. Students must always arrive BEFORE the class starts; it is disrespectful to turn
up late to the Dojo. If you are unavoidably late for the ‘bow-on’:
up late to the Dojo. If you are unavoidably late for the ‘bow-on’:
- Bow to enter the Dojo.
- Kneel at the Dojo entrance and recite the Dojo-kun in your mind.
- Perform the ‘bow-on’ sequence.
- Stand, then bow towards the Sensei (Tachirei).
- Wait for the Sensei to acknowledge your presence BEFORE joining the
- class.
2. Tachi-rei (standing bow). Always bow upon:
- Entering and leaving the Dojo.
- Before and after addressing your Sensei, or, if your Sensei is addressing you.
- Before and after performing various techniques with each other.
3. If the Sensei is not present, the Sempai (most Senior) will start the class. All
students must follow the Sempai as though he were the Sensei.
4. During the session, students must work with an attitude of seriousness and
complete concentration. Laughing, swearing and talking cannot be permitted.
Silence and seriousness during the session are the two rules that must be
followed if a high level of training is to be sustained.
5. Unless training has commenced, all students must bow to Yudansha upon their
arrival to the Dojo.
6. Rapid movement is an essential part of the training, even as it pertains to lining
up on command. This habit of moving quickly, without wasted motion and effort,
will also help keep the class working smoothly as well as making the student
instinctively responsive.
7. When not training, i.e. during breaks etc. Students must sit crossed-legged
against the wall in the Shimoza (lower-house) area of the Dojo, or in the
designated resting area/s away from the Dojo.
8. You must always wear a clean & pressed white Gi. Badges must be worn on the
left-side of your Gi (arm/chest). Other badges, as country representation badges
etc., may be worn on the right sleeve (these are only issued & supplied by your
Sensei).
9. Only females, and students with special medical conditions, may be permitted to
wear a T-shirt (white) under their Gi top.
10. No student should leave the Dojo (or ranks) during the session; unless he has
prior permission from a Sensei or Sempai to do so (this is for reasons of good
etiquette as well as Health & Safety).
11. On the command of ‘Seiretsu’ students must line-up quickly and quietly in the
proper grade/rank order in the Kiritsu (informal attention) position (Musubi-dachi).
You must not pass in front of higher graded ranks to do this, but move in line
behind your own, or lower graded, ranks.
12. If a student must stop work, for any reason, then he must FIRST obtain
permission from his Sensei. DO NOT JUST WALK AWAY FROM TRAINING - If
you need a ’water-break’ or need to use the toilet - ask the Sensei FIRST
and always wait for permission to re-join the session!
13. All students must reply ‘Hai-Sensei’ after a command has been given. During
training, if you are approached by a Sensei for any reason, i.e. adjusting your
technique etc., you must acknowledge the Sensei with ‘Hai-Sensei’ accompanied
with a proper bow. Never direct techniques towards a Sensei, even for
demonstration purposes.
14. Each student must report when temporarily discontinuing lessons, this is good
etiquette.
15. Unless you are the/a Sensei, or have been asked: During line-up, whilst
training in Fundamental and Renraku(Combination) techniques, do not allow yourself to be
distracted by other students in the ranks and start adjusting or ‘teaching’ them.
Concentrate on YOUR OWN technique and allow the other students to learn at
their own pace and by the Sensei.
16. Finger and toenails are to be kept short and clean.
17. No drinking, eating, chewing gum, or smoking in the Dojo.
18. No jewellery to be worn in the Dojo. Any jewellery, i.e. a bracelet/ring etc., that is
difficult or impossible to remove MUST be safely covered.
19. A student who has undergone surgery, or who suffers from any kind of medical
condition or injury, will not be permitted back into regular training until a signed
letter from the Doctor has been received by the Instructor. Your Sensei, as well
as your working partner/s, must also be made aware of any ongoing condition.
20. If at any time during training the student requires to adjust his Obi or Gi, he must
go down on one knee to do the adjustment. On serious adjustments the student
may require to ask the Sensei in order to leave the ranks to go to the side of the
Dojo, again, drop onto one knee for the adjustment/s.
21. Seniority system: All students must be aware that a higher ranked member to
you is your senior, and must be obeyed as such while in the Dojo. Sempai
(Brown-Belts and lower graded Black-Belts) are the Dojo ‘Police-force’ and are
responsible for the discipline in the Dojo. Young as well as older Sempai MUST
show a good example. Examples are always followed. No student should go
directly to the Sensei without first attempting to gain the necessary knowledge
from the next grade up. Each student, however, should make the necessary
endeavours to learn the answers from continued practise and observations. The
Sensei should be consulted ONLY as a final option.
22. All Black-Belts must be referred to by title NOT by name (Senpai, Sensei, etc.)
while they are in their Gi, by all Kyu & Dan Grades, and all students must bow
and respect them as they would ANY senior grade.
23. The Sensei of a Dojo must ALWAYS be referred to as ‘Sensei’ by students as
well as well as Yudansha within the Dojo. All Black belts must refer to all higher
graded Yudansha with the proper title, etiquette and respect AT ALL TIMES.
24. A Sensei is always a Sensei, not just while he wears a Gi. He must be respected
inside as well as outside the Dojo. If he is your friend, do not take advantage of
his friendship.
25. The motto of the Dojo. Practise hard in order to master the techniques of true
Wadoryu Karate-do.
26. Respect higher grades, and refer to them with proper title, and have compassion
and empathy for your peers and lower graded students.
27. Respect and revere your parents and elders, respect other people. Respect
property and all life. Also, respect yourself.
28. Never use Karate outside the Dojo, unless for self-defence. Understand the
correct concepts, principles and implications of Sente & Karate-ni-Sentenashi.
NOTE: Parents & Visitors: Children must be dropped off and collected from inside the Dojo
premises.
Mobile telephones, and all other personal electronic equipment, must be switched off.
No photographic or personal electronic equipment to be allowed inside the Dojo at any time.
Parents/Carers may stay and watch the training session. However, you may be asked to leave
if you ‘involve’ yourself, influence your child (or any other student), or interrupt, with any
aspects of the training programme.
Peace and harmony,
Sensei M.Maharaj
