Code of Practice

1. RULES OF CONDUCT DURING PRACTICE

As a ‘martial way’ and a method of self-defence Aikido is concerned with practising, in a controlled manner, potentially dangerous techniques. Thus students must at all times adhere strictly to the directions of the supervising instructor, whose responsibility it is to ensure safe practice.

1. Students have a duty to protect the safety and well-being of each other. They should therefore:

  • never execute techniques in a dangerous or reckless manner;
  • seek to develop the control in the practice of techniques by which they may avoid being hurt themselves or causing injury to others;
  • never employ superior skill or position within the dojo to gratuitously inflict pain or to abuse others physically.

2. Since Aikido is based on the explicit ethical principle of seeking to resolve conflict through the development of harmony in the conduct of human affairs, it therefore requires all practitioners to accord to each other respect and consideration at all times. Practitioners should therefore:

  • never use abusive language or conduct themselves in an offensive or aggressive manner;
  • never act in any manner that discriminates or gives offence to any person on the grounds of race, sex, religion or disability;
  • never consume alcohol or take recreational drugs before or during class.

2. DOJO CONDUCT & ETIQUETTE

Proper attitude and behaviour are a essential parts of Aikido training. All students should adhere strictly to the following rules:

  1. Respect the Dojo as a place of earnest study and practice;
  2. Perform za-rei upon entering and leaving the Dojo;
  3. Make sure hands and feet are clean for practice and keep finger- and toe-nails short;
  4. If blood is shed on the tatami, it must be cleaned up promptly and thoroughly using the correct cleaning materials that are on hand;
  5. Keep any areas of skin infection on hands, wrists or feet carefully covered to avoid transmitting infection to others;
  6. Wash keikogi regularly;
  7. Do no wear any personal adornment during practice;
  8. If it is necessary to leave the Dojo before the end of practice, you should address the instructor before departing;
  9. Approach each practice with a fresh mind, as though it was the first, and with earnestness and urgency, as though it was the last;
  10. Do not cultivate ideas of superiority, no matter what your grade or how long you have been practising;
  11. Never employ Aikido techniques outside the Dojo except in circumstances of extreme urgency, to defend yourself or others.

3. IN CASES OF INJURY

  1. The instructor should stop the class immediately and ascertain the seriousness of the injury.
  2. The injured person should be taken, if possible, to the side of the matted area out of harm’s way.
  3. If the injured person cannot be moved, he/she must be left on the tatami and the help of trained personnel should be summoned from the Reception Area of the Sports Centre.
  4. Trained personnel should also be summoned in cases of severe injury.
  5. In cases of possible concussion (i.e. after a bang on the head), the injured person must not be allowed to continue practice but should be referred to hospital.
  6. A full report of the incident must be written down in the Accident Book.
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