_Club Rules and Etiquette
RULES DURING PRACTICE
In addition to the six rules the occasions when Aikido may be used are as follows:
- One blow in Aikido can be fatal. During practice obey your instructor and do not make practice a time for needless testing of strength.
- Aikido is an art in which one learns to face many opponents simultaneously and requires therefore that you polish and perfect your execution of each movement, so that you can take on not only the one directly before you but also those in every direction.
- Practice at all times with a feeling of pleasurable exhilaration.
- The teachings of your instructor constitute only a small fraction of what you learn. Your mastery of each movement will depend almost completely on your earnest practice.
- The daily practice begins with light movements of the body gradually increasing in intensity and strength, but there must be no overexertion. That is why even an elderly person can continue to practice without bodily harm, but with pleasure and profit and will attain the purpose of their training.
- The purpose of Aikido is to train both body and mind and to make a person sincere. All Aikido arts are secret in nature and are not to be revealed nor taught to rogues who would use them for evil purposes.
In addition to the six rules the occasions when Aikido may be used are as follows:
- When one is in personal danger
- When one sees others in personal danger
- Even in situations in which the use of Aikido is sanctioned, such sanctions are not absolute. Every effort must first be made after calm thought to settle matters peaceably. Only when such efforts seem useless should the arts of Aikido be used.
ETIQUETTE
Finger and toe nails are to be kept short and a high standard of personal cleanliness is to be maintained. All students must assist in keeping their Dojo clean. Complete etiquette must be maintained at all times and is as:
- Standing bow on entering and leaving the dojo
- Members who arrive late for the class may join in after they have bowed in a sitting position to O'Sensei. Visitors must first ask permission from the instructor before joining the class.
- When receiving instruction, students should sit down on the mat allowing plenty of room for the instructor to carry out demonstrations.
- At no time must a student sit with their legs outstretched in front of them or lie on the mat.
- During the practice when the instructor is explaining a technique to an individual student, students practicing nearby should sit and observe the instructor.
- All students will wear slippers to and from the mat. No person is permitted to walk on the mat wearing slippers or shoes.
- Students must ask for permission from the instructor before resting. Whilst resting sit upright and remain quiet and practice breathing techniques.
- The Dojo should be treated as a shrine at all times.