Dojo Kun (Rules of the Dojo)
Soke Shimabuku's 3 Rules for the Dojo:
1 - Everyone starts at the bottom
2 - Nothing is easy or free
3 - Everyone works
Additional Expectations for Cunningham Dojo:
1. Bow as you enter the training floor. Bow as you leave the training floor.
2. Bow to all Black Belts upon first greeting them or upon receiving instructions from them.
3. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum while on the training floor.
4. Please remove all watches, bracelets and/or dangling earrings. Removing rings is highly encouraged.
5. Bare feet or approved footwear are required in the dojo training area.
6. No cell phones during class. Put phones on mute/silent/vibrate before class starts.
7. Respect the dojo and training equipment. Clean up any messes or spills promptly.
8. Respect your instructors, classmates, visitors, and yourself.
9. Avoid talking or fidgeting while in line. Listen more; talk less.
10. Absolutely no horseplay.
During your training time, you will hear the word Sensei used a lot. In our dojo, three instructors have formally earned the title of Sensei: Sensei Cunningham, Sensei Keith Webb, and Sensei Alice Webb. Other black belts will be referred to as Mr. or Ms.
General Information about Dojo Etiquette
Bowing is the traditional way of displaying respect and humility.
Informal bows (Tachi-rei) are executed by standing with heels together, feet pointed at 45-degree angles, hands at the sides with palms turned toward the thighs, and bowing from the waist. We bow at the beginning and the end of class and before and after each of the following:
Entering or leaving the Dojo (school);
Addressing higher ranking students;
Addressing any Black Belt;
At the beginning and end of all Kata;
Before and after Kumite;
Before and after working waza (technique) with a partner; and
Any time you wonder if you need to...