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The dojo can be an unfamiliar place for
those outside the world of Martial Arts and can be a dangerous place for
those that don’t know what is going on. Use these pages as a guide
and always remember Follow your teacher's instructions carefully, and
always be aware of your and your partner's levels of ability.
Shoes
Remove your shoes and socks before
stepping onto the mats. Slide on shoes for off the mat can be very
useful. We work closely together in Aikido and closely with the
mat.
Opening
and closing class
There are brief opening and closing
ceremonies to each class. Before class begins, you may stretch talk with
your friends, practice rolling, and so on. When the teacher sits in the
seiza position, either on the right-hand edge of the mat or at the front,
you should stop what you are doing and sit seiza in a line with the other
students. Everyone will bow to the front. Then the teacher will
turn around and bow to the class. (You should bow too, of course!) Then
the teacher will begin warm-ups.
At the end
of the class, the teacher will ask everyone to sit. Again, everyone will
bow to the front. Then the teacher will turn and bow to the class and say
“Thank you very much.” Students bow and say “Thank you.” After that, you
should go around and bow to the others you practised with that day and thank
them.
Bowing
Bowing is used to begin or end activities.
Bow when you enter the dojo, when you step onto the mats, and when you begin
working with a partner. Similarly, bow when finishing with a partner,
stepping off the mats, or leaving the dojo. It is a show of good
manners.
Also bow to thank your teacher or practice
partner. If someone bows to you, always bow back!
Watch your teacher to learn how to bow
correctly.
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