ETIQUETTE
SEIDO PRINCIPLES MINI LESSONS
OshiShinobU (Osu):
Aside from being a dojo term of etiquette used to show respect, or understanding, the literal meaning is to ‘maintain patience’. Karate training is hard and takes time. There are no short cuts to learning the material. Osu should serve as a reminder to be patient with ourselves and this process and allow it to succeed through dedication and effort. Practicing patience with ourselves offers us the opportunity to then extend that patience to others both inside and outside the dojo.
Rei (Courtesy):
Seido is a traditional dojo and part of our practice is courtesy. For example, our karate always begins and ends with bowing. This signals respect and also gratitude. Gratitude that our bodies are sufficiently healthy and our lives stable enough to actually show up and practice today. Punctuating our lives with moments of courtesy and gratitude are positive reminders of our own good fortune.
尊敬 Sonkei (Respect):
One of the three spiritual pillars of Seido karate. At the dojo we practice respect through behaviors of courtesy. These rituals, how we bow, how we move, how we wear our gi, etc. serve to ingrain this respect into our practice. This of course begins with respect for ourselves. Our karate practice asks us to examine ourselves both during physical practice and during meditation. As our self respect grows our ability to respect others expands too.
愛 Ai (Love):
Another of the three spiritual pillars of Seido karate. Taking care of our physical and mental well being is an act of self care, or love. This is important for our own health but also helps cultivate our ability to show concern and love to others. Compassion is a component of love and since karate stresses action, part of our karate should be to find ways to express our compassion for the needs or suffering of others.
従順 Jūjun (Obedience):
Another of the three spiritual pillars of Seido karate. Often misunderstood, we are not referring to a blind obedience. Although we do expect dojo members to follow dojo rules and etiquette, obedience also relates to commitment. You have made a commitment to yourself to pursue this karate practice and you should take that seriously. Consider if you are honoring that commitment or if you could even deepen it. We all have our own reasons for training and by strengthening our commitment we bring our behaviour into greater alignment with our hopes and values. Taking action to actually do the things you believe in is to show obedience(commitment) to your own ideals.
Taikyoku (Wide View, Overview):
Literally the meaning of the name of the kata. This kata’s moves consist of turn and block, step and punch. The challenge for new students is often in which directions to turn. Once they can see the whole shape of the kata it all starts to make sense. In life, this should remind us to step back and try to take in a wider view of any situation. Consider all the angles. Removing the blinders of our own opinions or pre-conceptions allows us to consider things we may miss when we are too narrowly focused.
Renma (Constant Polish):
In karate practice there are no short cuts. Progress comes through dedicated practice and repetition. Only through direct experience can we learn certain lessons and develop our skills. Our instructors can explain details and offer adjustments but each student must grasp these internally. In this way we become our own teacher. Relatedly, with neglect, our skills will weaken and dull. It is by committing to constantly polishing our karate that we maintain and grow our skills.
Nana Korobi Ya Oki (Fall down seven times, get up eight times):
A foundational principle in karate is to never give up. This non-quitting spirit is at the core of our training. We will all face obstacles in life. It is important to not let these get in the way of your progress. Sometimes we make mistakes. It is necessary to learn from these and try not to make the same mistakes again. During the course of our training there will be life changes and setbacks. Changes in work or home schedules, illness and injury will all impact our training. The karate spirit is to recognize these setbacks for what they are and adjust accordingly.
To keep our dojo and our community following the above principles, below are some important etiquette principles. Any questions do not hesitate to reach out.
Please remove shoes before entering the dojo.
No outerwear (including hats and scarves) should be worn on the dojo floor (even when quickly passing to use the bathrooms).
Do not enter the dojo when the class is bowing in and out. Wait until all are standing up and the bows are finished.
Turn off or silence cell phones before entering the dojo floor.
Don’t cross the dojo floor at a diagonal heading toward or away from the double doors at the rear of the floor. No shortcuts.
When entering and exiting the dojo floor, bow facing toward the shinzen, not just toward the opposite end of the practice floor.
Before training, please remove all jewelry including wristbands/bracelets. This is for etiquette reasons as well as safety. If a piece of jewelry cannot be removed for some reason, it should be covered with medical tape.
Anything worn on the head–hair ties, bandanas, sweatbands, etc.--should be as simple as possible. Please avoid anything shiny or dangly. Religious headwear is an exception..
Be aware of your surroundings by bowing to your seniors and addressing your instructors by their appropriate rank.
When responding in class, reply with “Osu!” or even better, “Osu!” followed by their title. (e.g. “Osu Senpai…”)
Be aware of the space around you as you practice in class and particularly during kata. Allow others around you enough space for their practice. (In other words…don’t kick or almost kick the person in front of or beside you).
The only appropriate attire when working out on your own at the dojo (regardless of which area you are working out in), if not in your full gi, is a Seido t-shirt, gi pants and your belt.
Show respect for your fellow karatekas by taking care of your personal hygiene and keeping your gi clean. This includes keeping toenails trimmed so as to not accidentally scratch someone during partner practice
Close locker doors after use (so that your fellow karatekas don’t injure themselves).
If unsure how to do a proper standing or kneeling bowdo not hesitate to ask your instructors on how to do so.
Remove hair from the shower drain after showering.
Please make sure the toilet is completely flushed before leaving the stall.
Please keep toenails trimmed so as to not accidentally scratch someone during partner practice.
Sweating hard is what we aim for but please carry a bandana if necessary and clean the floor around you to prevent your neighbor from slipping.
FOR NON STUDENTS: If you are waiting in the lobby for someone and there is a class going on, please be mindful of your volume.
No whistling or singing.
If you are stretching on the floor before/between classes, be respectful, especially of all black belts and acknowledge them as they pass you. If a Sei Shihan and above passes, please do stand and bow.
If you are crossing in front of Shinzen or the instructor during the class, do a quick but proper bow to pay respect. Naoko
Do not cross your legs, lean back, or cross arms when sitting on the chair in front of Kaicho/Nidaime.
Always go behind your senior when passing, but if you must go in front please put your hand out and lower your head to show respect as you cross.