Respect your training partners:
Everyone is in the Dojo for the same reason which is to learn, get fit, have fun, develop technique and develop themselves. Their is no place for egotism and spitefulness in the Dojo, so leave it at the door as you enter. In the early stages of training all techniques are practiced in a slow controlled manner to ensure that the Uke (training partner) does not get injured during training.
Their is a place for resisting techniques in a way that assists the Tori (Defender) to learn Henka (Variations) and understand the secrets hidden in the techniques but this is not in the initial stages of training when Tori and Uke both encounter a technique for the first time.
Treat your training partner with the same amount of respect that you expect to be treated with, trust me they will let you know if they are not happy when its their turn.
Respect the Dojo:
The Dojo is the place where you train and learn and the translation of the word Bujinkan is “Divine Warrior Hall” so it should be treated as such. You are not only learning the physical techniques and Kata but also about yourself, how far you can push yourself, how to develop discipline, how to work as a team and how to overcome a variety of physical and mental obstacles.
Its important to observe and display the respect in the Dojo, not just for the Dojo itself but also for your instructor and for your training partner. This is especially relevant when handling weapons as the movements and rules may seem outdated or unnecessary but they are done for good reason, to maintain the safety of everyone in the Dojo!
When you approach the mats at the start of the lesson, you bow before stepping on, this is then done again at the end of the lesson when leaving the mats as a sign of respect for the Dojo, this is a place of learning and as such requires focus, attention and discipline, so think of the bow on to the mats as acknowledging to yourself that its time to learn.
Listen to the Shidoshi or Sensei:
The person teaching the class is called the Sensei (Teacher) although it is more common for the instructors in the Bujinkan to be known as a Shidoshi or Shihan (10th Dan and above).
You should address them as Sensei or by their title according to rank. Its important to listen and pay attention to the Sensei during lessons and concentrate when they are demonstrating techniques or explaining points in class, as failure to concentrate and understand what your doing could potentially result in injury.
It is the Sensei’s responsibility to help and assist you to learn during your time in the Dojo and we will always endeavor to do this to the best of our ability, but it is important that our efforts are reciprocated and you apply yourself to training both inside and outside of the Dojo. Please always ask the Sensei if you are struggling to understand anything or require assistance.
It is also important to conduct yourself in an appropriate manner outside of the Dojo, you are representing us as a student of our organisation so remember that your uniform comes with responsibility.
Stay focused throughout the class:
Its important to maintain focus during lessons from the moment the you enter the Dojo and step onto the mats until the moment that the lesson finishes and you leave the Dojo. This means that during your time in the lesson you concentrate and push yourself to keep training, do not talk about events outside of the lesson that may distract you from training, try to limit the amount of questions during demonstrations to avoid sparking a massive discussion on the mats so that everyone stays on course and keeps practicing during the limited time spent in the Dojo each week.
Disruptive, Disrespectful or aggressive students won’t be tolerated and will be asked to leave.
Dress to train:
We practice a traditional Japanese martial art with over 1100 years of tradition, therefore when we are in the Dojo we wear the traditional black uniform worn by the Ninja known as a Shinobi Shizoku but more commonly known as a Gi (usually white) comprised of black Gi trousers, Black Keogi jacket, Tabi boots, Kyahan (Leg wraps) and Obi (Belt) correctly tied. You may wear a Dojo t shirt instead of the Keogi jacket in the hotter months of the year but the Obi and Gi trousers must be worn. No other t shirts must be worn other than official Bujinkan t shirts that indicate your rank which are available through the Dojo or a variety of other Bujinkan retailers.
Do not misbehave with training equipment:
You will often be required to use equipment to train such as Bokken (Wooden Swords), Staffs such as the Rokushakubo (6ft Staff), Wooden and rubber training knives and Tanto (Daggers), etc.
It is extremely important that you treat training weapons with the appropriate respect as although they may not be bladed they are still lethal weapons and should be treated as such and the techniques must be performed as directed to the best of your ability. Any inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated, you wouldn’t point a loaded gun at someone so don’t do it with a weapon in the Dojo! Continued misbehavior and unsafe conduct could result in being banned from the Dojo as their is the very real possibility of seriously injuring someone.
Ask if you need to leave the mat:
If you need to leave the mats for water, a toilet break or need to stop training for any reason inform the Sensei, especially in the case of injury. Please bow upon stepping of the mats and bow again upon returning. This is primarily for heath and safety so that accidents can be logged in the accident book and people are accounted for in the event of of a fire.
Grading’s will be every 3 months:
Gradings will be held regularly every 3 months on the condition that the student is ready and can demonstrate a thorough understanding of the material for their upcoming grade. If you are due a grading you will be informed and given a date for the upcoming grading and reminded a week before. If you are not graded after 6 months you will be told why and what areas you need to improve upon, however this is fairly unlikely to occur. Poor or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will delay any potential grading in the near future, remember that only you have the ability to push yourself to improve and obtain your next grade. Failure is a part of life regardless of your emotional response to it.
Help others to improve yourself:
Try and assist each other during your time spent training in the Dojo and outside, remember that their is a massive community of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu practitioners all over the world and if everyone can assist each other in learning then we all get better.
When in the Dojo remember that the higher grades always have a responsibility to help the lower grades in learning and perfecting the techniques practiced, Not use them as training dummies or insult them through some misguided sense of superiority due to obtaining a higher rank.
You will learn far more by helping them than hurting them and this is especially important in the run up to gradings.