All Shen Dojo members must observe the following dojo rules and etiquette while in the dojo.
- 1. Keep your dogi clean and tidy, and keep fingernails trimmed short.
- 2. Arrive at the dojo 15–30 minutes early, change into your dogi promptly, and help with setup such as laying out mats and cleaning. (Note: all activities in the dojo are part of Aikido training — please take an active part.)
- 3. When entering the dojo, stand upright, bow toward the dojo, remove your shoes, and place them neatly with toes pointing outward.
- 4. Remove watches and all jewelry to avoid injuring yourself or your partners during practice.
- 5. Keep personal belongings tidy and set your phone to silent mode.
- 6. Before practice officially begins you may do your own warm-up, but avoid strenuous activity without proper warming up.
- 1. Bow in seiza facing the front of the dojo when starting and when leaving the training area (or mats).
- 2. Line up in order of rank, sit in seiza facing the front, calm your breath and mind, and do not talk to each other.
- 3. Never sit with your back to the Founder's scroll (hanging calligraphy).
- 4. When the instructor is demonstrating, do not whisper, wipe your face with a towel, or fix your hair.
- 5. During practice, do not wander around, drink, chat, or use mobile phones. You may drink water during breaks but keep quiet. For special cases, ask the instructor first.
- 6. After the instructor's demonstration, bow together, then quickly find a partner. Try to practice with different partners each time to improve adaptability. New students should actively pair with senior students to receive more guidance — two beginners practicing together will not improve.
- 7. When inviting a partner, show respect — do not tap or pull them. The proper way is to step in front of them promptly and bow.
- 8. Follow the techniques demonstrated by the instructor; do not improvise, to avoid unnecessary accidents.
- 9. When adjusting your clothing during training, turn away from your partner and do it quickly in a corner or at the edge of the dojo.
- 10. When the instructor gives one-on-one guidance, onlookers should sit quietly in seiza and learn; bow after the guidance ends.
- 11. Stay safety-conscious during practice: always be aware of your surroundings, keep a safe distance, and protect yourself and others.
- 12. Always prioritize safety in training. Remember Aikido is a martial art — stay focused to prevent accidents.
- 13. Before the meditation at the start and end of class, keep your dogi worn neatly while lined up.
- 1. Bow standing at the entrance, then enter and quietly change into your dogi and stow belongings without wandering.
- 2. Then bow in seiza at the entrance, remain seated, and raise your right hand to signal the Shihan/instructor that you request to enter.
- 3. Once permitted, enter on your knees (shikko) to the back row and do a brief warm-up, keeping movement minimal.
- 1. Migeiko (observing): students or visitors unable to train due to injury, illness, or other reasons should sit properly beside the mats, listen quietly, and not talk loudly or wander.
- 2. Migeiko counts as 0.25 class credit only after watching the entire session and being acknowledged by the instructor present.
- 3. Visitors should contact the dojo instructor in advance and not enter the dojo uninvited.
- 4. Visitors may not photograph or film without permission.
- 1. Shen Dojo is responsible for your Aikido training. Practice fees must be paid by the due date; all fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- 2. All students must sign the Liability Waiver and submit it to their instructor; those who have not signed may not train.
- 3. Shen Dojo holds grading examinations twice a year; only registered members may take promotion gradings.
- 4. Members absent from Shen Dojo for over two years (without paying practice fees during that period) must re-register.
- 5. Shen Dojo is not responsible for loss or theft of personal property in the dojo; members should safeguard their belongings.
Please strictly observe inside the dojo