Rules of the Dojo (KAIZEN)

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’:

• 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