The observance of etiquette in Aikido is essential to training. It draws us towards a cultural understanding of Japan and the principles of Japanese teaching methodology. For the most part it is a system of respect and courtesy, something not to be taken lightly in Aikido training.

At first, etiquette will seem strange and somewhat complex. It is best to develop your sense of etiquette as you train. While some of the procedures of etiquette may not make sense at first, it is important to realize they are a part of a highly developed social system of values and samurai traditions. As you train and develop, you will come to understand etiquette in a much larger sense. Many students, in fact, eventually adopt many of the principles and precepts of etiquette into their everyday lives.

• When entering the Dojo, take off your hat and shoes, put out any cigarettes, dispose of chewing gum, turn off radios, and stop any other distracting practices that might interfere with Aikido training. Visitors are also expected to observe these guidelines for conduct.



• At the Dojo, change from your street clothes and put on a training uniform ( a dogi if possible). This will help you shed outside concerns and focus on the current task - Aikido training.



• When you greet a fellow student or an instructor, greet them by bowing and saying "Osu!". This is customary in the practice of Japanese Budo.



• When coming onto or leaving the practice mat (tatami), bow to the front of the Dojo. This expresses your intent to concentrate fully on Aikido training, and provides an opportunity to remind yourself to be grateful for the chance to train in Aikido.



• When class is ready to begin, before the teacher sits, all students should line up sitting in seiza in a straight line. The person to your right should be of equal or higher rank; the person to your left, equal or lower rank.



• The highest ranking student will command "Moku so". This means to close your eyes and prepare yourself mentally for class. The same student will then say "Moku so yame" (open your eyes) and "Shomen ni rei" (bow to the front), and then "Sensei ni rei" (bow to the Sensei).



• If you arrive for class late (a practice that is not encouraged), it is proper etiquette to wait standing at the side of the mat quietly, until Sensei invites you to join in. You should then do 20 - 30 push-ups before joining in the warm up. This is an excellent way of warming up quickly, and helps you to remind yourself to be on time in the future.



• If you arrive late for line-up, but before Sensei has come on the mat, you should take your place in line after the white belts so as not to disturb the line.



• When Sensei is instructing the class, or if you wish to listen to an explanation given to another student during the practice, you should kneel politely in seiza. When corrected by Sensei or a senior student, bow and say "Osu!"



• During the class, any student wishing to leave the mat or practicing something other than the class is practicing must, first, ask the permission of the instructor.



• Always begin and end your training with your partner by bowing to each other.



• Never shout, curse, or become angry on the mat.



• Talking during class on the mat is impolite and interferes with the concentration of other students. When discussion is necessary, keep it brief and quite.



• It is poor etiquette to question a teacher's or senior's authority or technical knowledge, and especially so during class. If you are confused about something, ask respectfully. Don't insist upon your point of view.



• When class is ending, you should quickly line up and wait for the senior student to say "seiza", before the instructor sits. Remain kneeling until the instructor has left the mat.



• The senior student will then call an end to the class by saying "keiko shu ryo". After class is over, you should find your partners and bow to each of them, thanking them for training with you.



• Other important aspects of etiquette deal with more commonplace concerns. Please remember to pay your dues on time. It is easy in our enjoyment of Aikido to sometimes forget our responsibilities to Aikido, and to our instructors.

In short, our practice of correct etiquette may be thought of as courtesy or kindness, and an extension of our Aikido training not to be overlooked.