Dojo Rules of Etiquette:

"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants."
-- Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate

-- Karate students must be prompt and on time for all meetings. If one is going to be late, one should notify the instructor prior to the scheduled beginning of training. No student is to leave class without the instructor's permission.

-- Karate students must wear a proper white karate uniform or "gi" at all training sessions. (Temporary members are permitted to wear any comfortable clothing before the first examination.) Only a crest or a logo bearing the ISKF and the club names is allowed.

-- Karate students must remove all jewelry, watches, earings, rings prior to training. These items can cause injury to themselves and others.

-- Karate students must keep karate-gis clean and in good repair.

-- Karate students must keep their bodies clean and finger and toenails trimmed.

-- Karate students must not chew gum or have candy or food in the mouth while training.

-- Karate students must follow the instructions of their seniors and instructors, quickly and respectfully.

-- Karate students must practice only those techniques that have been formally presented by their instructors.

-- Karate students of lower rank must seek to practice with higher-ranking opponents.

-- Karate students must not engage in idle talk while training is in session.

-- Karate students must remain quiet and attentive when not exercising.

-- Karate students must be courteous and helpful to each other.

-- Karate students must keep the dojo clean and in good condition. The dojo floor must be swept before each training.

-- Karate students must learn when and how to perform the correct forms of standing and kneeling bows. They should bow when entering or leaving the dojo, at the beginning and the end of class, before and after sparring with a partner, before and after performing a kata, and when greeting the instructor.

-- Karate students must sit correctly in the dojo while training is in session.

-- Karate students must always be serious, sincerely entering into the spirit of karate training and its goal of bringing into harmony the body, mind and spirit. Adherence to the instructor's judgment and giving as much importance to the attitude of one's training as to the results are of the greatest importance.