What is the etiquette in the Dojo?
You should be changed and ready at the dojo before the class time. If you arrive late for class you should do your own warm-ups off the mat. When you are ready, sit on the edge of the mat, bow towards the head of the dojo (called the Kamiza or shomen), and remain sitting until the sensei gives you permission to join class. Then bow to sensei and join the class. Do not walk onto the mat without permission from sensei. No shoes or food on the mat ever. In Japanese Jiu Jitsu class, refer to black belts as “sensei”. Refer to the senior students as sempai. Never address Sensei by first name on the mat. Keeping the dojo clean is a sign of respect for the place that we practice. There are 2 types of bows that we observe: The standing and sitting bows. You bow in the standing position when: entering and leaving the dojo (at the door), temporarily leaving and returning to the mats (at the mats edge), and when you have received teaching from the sensei or fellow students You bow in the seated po
