Code of Conduct for Silverstrand Dojo International Members

Every group of people such as doctors, lawyers, police officers, or university students have a code of conduct to govern the actions of its members. The martial arts are not an exception to this rule. In fact a code of conduct for a dojo is very important for the safety of the dojo and the safety of the community as a whole. This is due to the fact that if the members of the dojo practices the physical techniques of the martial arts and does not take in the teachings of self-control this will result in having people who are very talented in the ways of fighting who cannot control them lose on our streets. With this said below you will find some guild lines for the Silverstrand Dojo International Code of Conducted. The idea behind this code of conducted is to build good spirited people who are good for our community. Every one will make violations of these rules from time to time because no one is perfect. This is acknowledged and accepted, so do not be to nit picky with yourself and fellow dojo members. But if some one does a serious violation of the code of conducted, plays games with the code of conducted, or regularly violates the code of conduct this person will face actions from the Dojo. These actions can include suspension from the students home Dojo (this will come from Chief Sensei of the students home Dojo), dismissal of the student from the home dojo (this will also come from the Chief Sensei of the students home dojo), suspension from Silverstrand Dojo International, or dismissal from Silverstrand Dojo International. The Code of Conducted of Silverstrand Dojo International is not designed to make a unpleasant learning environment. It is designed to create a pleasant learning environment were members can practice safely and control would be violent people from learning from us and taking our techniques in to the community and using them in a violent way.

    Code of Conduct – Silverstrand Dojo International 

Every member will try their best to adhere to the following articles 

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF BUSHIDO 

1.      JUSTICE

2.      HONOR

3.      VERACITY

4.      POLITENESS

5.      BENEVOLENCE

6.      COURAGE

7.      LOYALTY

DOJO ETIQUETTE

1.      THIS DOJO OPERATES IN A STRICT MANNER FOLLOWING THE TRADITIONAL RULES OF PROPER CONDUCT. ITS SPIRIT COMES DIRECTLY FROM THE FOUNDERS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS WE FOLLOW. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILTY OF EACH STUDENT TO HONOR AND SINCERELY FOLLOW THOSE TEACHINGS.    

2.      IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STUDENT TO COOPERATE IN CREATING A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE OF HARMONY AND RESPECT. 

3.      IT IS SENSEI'S DECISION WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL TEACH YOU. YOU CANNOT BUY TECHIQUE. THE MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP DUES PROVIDE A PLACE TO PRACTICE AND PROVIDE YOU WITH ONE SMALL WAY TO SHOW GRATITUDE FOR THE TEACHING RECEIVED. IT IS EACH STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY DUES ON TIME. 

4.      RESPECT THE FOUNDERS AND THEIR TEACHINGS AS SUCCEEDED AND HANDED DOWN BY SENSEI. RESPECT THE DOJO, RESPECT YOUR TRAINING TOOLS, AND RESPECT EACH OTHER. 

5.      IT IS THE MORAL RESPONSIBILILTY OF EACH STUDENT NEVER TO USE MARTIAL ART TECHIQUE TO HARM ANOTHER PERSON OR AS A WAY TO DISPLAY EGO. IT IS NOT A TECHINE OF DESTRUCTION, BUT OF CREATION. IT IS A TOOL TO DEVELOP A BETTER SOCIETY THROUGH THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL. 

6.      THERE WILL BE NO EGO CONFLICTS ON THE MAT. MARTIAL ARTS ARE NOT STREET FIGHTING. YOU ARE ON THE MAT TO TRANSCEND AND PURIFY YOUR AGGRESSIVE REACTIONS, TO EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF THE SAMURAI BY DISCOVERING YOUR SOCIAL RESPONSILITY. 

7.      THERE WILL BE NO COMPETITION ON THE MAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE MARTIAL ARTS IS NOT IN FIGHTING AND DEFEATING AN ENEMY, BUT IN FIGHTING AND DEFEATING YOUR OWN AGGRESSIVE INSTINCTS. THE STRENGTHS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS ARE NOT IN MUSCULAR FORCE, BUT IN FLEXIBIITY, COMMUNICATION, TIMING, CONTROL, AND MODESTY. 

8.      INSOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. WE MUST ALL BE AWARE OF OUR LIMITATIONS. 

9.      EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT PHYSICAL ABILITES AND DIFFERENT REASONS FOR STUDY. THESE MUST BE RESPECTED. TRUE MARTIAL ARTS IS THE PROPER AND FLEXIBLE APPLICATION OF TECHIQUE APPROPRIATE TO ANY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCE. IT IS YOUR RESONSIBILITY TO CAUSE NO INJURY. YOU MUST PROTECT YOUR TRAINING PARTNER AND YOURSELF. 

10.  RECEIVE SENSEI´S INSTRUCTIONS AND CARRY OUT HIS SUGGESTIONS FOR TRAINING SINCERELY AND TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR ARGUMENT. 

11.  ALL STUDENTS ARE STUDYING THE SAME PRINCIPLES. THERE WILL BE NO CONFLICTS OF ONE GROUP AGAINST ANOTHER OR OF CHOOSING SIDES. THE DOJO MEMBERSHIP IS ONE FAMILY, AND THE SECRET IS HARMONY. 

12.  UPON ENTERING AND LEAVING THE PRACTICE AREA OF THE DOJO, MAKE A STANDING BOW. 

13.  ALWAYS BOW WHEN STEPPING ON OR OFF THE MAT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SHOMEN AND THE PICTURES OF THE FOUNDERS. 

14.  RESPECT YOUR TRAINING TOOLS. GI SHOULD BE CLEAN AND MENDED. WEAPONS SHOULD BE IN GOOD CONDITION AND IN THEIR PROPER PLACE WHEN NOT IN USE. 

15.  NEVER USE SOMEONE ELSE´S PRACTICE GI OR WEAPONS. 

16.  THE CLASS IS OPENED AND CLOSED WITH A FORMAL CEREMONY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ON TIME AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS CEREMONY, BUT IF YOU ARE UNVOIDABLE LATE, YOU SHOULD WAIT, FORMALLY SEATED BESIDE THE MAT, UNTIL SENSEI SIGNALS PERMISSION FOR YOU TO JOIN THE CLASS. PERFORM A FORMAL SEATED BOW AS YOU GET ON THE MAT. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT DISRUPT CLASS IN DOING SO. 

17.  THE PROPER WAY TO SIT ON THE MAT IS IN SEIZA. IF YOU HAVE A KNEE INJURY, YOU MAY SIT CROSS-LEGGED, BUT NEVER SIT WITH LEG OUTSTRECHED AND NEVER LEAN AGAINST WALLS OR POST. YOU MUST BE ALERT AT ALL TIMES. 

18.  DO NOT LEAVE THE MAT DURING PRACTICE EXCEPT IN CASE OF INJURY OR ILLNESS. 

19.  DURING CLASS, WHEN SENSEI DEMONSTRATES A TECHNIQUE FOR PRACTICE, YOU SHOULD SIT QUIETLY AND ATTENTIVELY IN SEIZA. AFTER THE DEMONSTRATION, BOW TO SENSEI AND THEN TO A PARTNER AND BEGIN PRACTICE. 

20.  WHEN THE END OF A TECHNIQUE IS SIGNALED, STOP IMMEDIATELY. BOW TO YOUR PARTNER AND QUICKLY LINE UP WITH THE OTHER STUDENTS. 

21.  NEVER STAND AROUND IDLY ON THE MAT. YOU SHOULD BE PRACTICING OR, IF NECESSARY, SEATED FORMALLY, AWAITING YOUR TURN. 

22.  IF FOR SOME REASON IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO ASK A QUESTION OF SENSEI, GO TO HIM (NEVER CALL HIM OVER), BOW RESPECTFULLY, AND WAIT FOR HIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT. (A STANDING BOW IS APPROPRIATE.) 

23.  RESPECT THOSE WHO ARE MORE EXPERIENCED. NEVER ARGUE ABOUT TECHNIQUE. 

24.  YOU ARE HERE FOR PRACTICE. DO NOT FORCE YOUR IDEAS ON OTHERS. 

25.  IF YOU KNOW THE MOVEMENT BEING STUDIED AND ARE WORKING WITH SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT, YOU MAY LEAD THE PERSON THROUGH IT. BUT DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CORRECT OR INSTRUCT YOUR TRAINING PARTNER IF YOU ARE NOT SENIOR YUDANSHA LEVEL. 

26.  KEEP TALKING ON THE MAT TO AND ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. MARTIAL ARTS IS EXPERIENCE. 

27.  DO NOT LOUNGE AROUND ON THE MAT BEFORE OR AFTER CLASS. THE SPACE IS FOR STUDENTS WHO WISH TO TRAIN. THERE ARE OTHER AREAS IN THE DOJO FOR SOCIALIZING. 

28.  NO EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING OR GUM CHEWING ON OR OFF THE MAT DURING PRACTICE, NOR ON THE MAT AT ANY TIME. 

29.  NO JEWELRY SHOULD BE WORN DURING PRACTICE. 

30.  NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE STILL WEARING PRACTICE GI. 

31.  IF OFF THE MAT, DO NOT TALK TO ANY WHILE THAT PERSON IS ON THE MAT. 

32.  IF OFF THE MAT, DO NOT TALK OR WALK AROUND WHILE THE INSTRUCTOR IS DEMONSTRATING OR LECTURING. 

33.  ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR SENSEI OR SENPAI. 

34.  NEVER ARGUE OR MAKE EXCUSES FOR MISTAKES. 

35.  WHEN STRAIGHTENING YOUR GI ALWAYS TURN AROUND AND FACE THE BACK OF THE CLASS. 

36.  WHEN BOWING TO ANOTHER HIGHER RANK, BE SURE NOT TO LOOK THEM IN THE EYES. 

37.  ALWAYS KEEP YOUR GI CLEAN AND NEAT. 

38.  NEVER USE YOUR SKILLS TO SETTLE DISPUTES. 

39.  NEVER CONTRADICT YOUR SENSEI IN FRONT OF OTHERS. 

40.  NO PROFANITY IN THE DOJO. 

41.  NO HORSEPLAY IN THE DOJO. 

42.  ALWAYS ADDRESS SENSEI AS SENSEI IN THE DOJO. 

43.  ALWAYS BOW WHEN BOW TO. 

44.  ALWAYS BOW WHEN ADDRESSED OR SUMMONED BY SENSEI. 

45.  ALWAYS BOW AFTER RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS FROM SENSEI. 

46.  ALWAYS BOW UPON MEETING AND LEAVING SENSEI. 

47.  NO SPARRING (OR OTHER ACTIVITIES) UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY SENSEI. 

48.  NEVER LOSE TEMPER IN THE DOJO. 

49.  ANY OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES THAT BRING DISCREDIT TO THE DOJO AND THE MARTIAL ARTS, STUDENT FIGTHING, ECT. ARE SUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL. 

50.  STUDENTS MUST NEVER USE THEIR SKILLS IN A AGGRESSIVE OR IMPROPER MANNER IN SIDE OR OUT SIDE OF THE DOJO. 

51.  REMEMBER THE MARTIAL ARTS BEGINS AND ENDS WITH COURTESY.  

52.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADVANCE IN RANK TO RAPIDLY. 

53.  DO NOT BE BOASTFUL AND CONCEITED. 

54.  YOUR PARTNER IS NOT AN OPPONENT. TECHIQUES ARE LEARN THROUGH HIM AND WITH HIM. IT SHOULD BE A PLEASURE TO BE UKE AS WELL AS NAGE. EACH MOVEMENT IN THE MARTIAL ARTS TEACHES THE PRINCIPLES AND SPIRT OF THE MARTIAL ARTS AND SHOULD BE PRACTICED SINCERELY. 

55.  CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO BE AWARE OF THE ABILITY OF ONE´S PARTNER SO THAT NO INJURIES MAY OCCUR. NAGE SHOULD ALWAYS BE WATCHFUL FOR SIGNS THAT UKE IS IN PAIN. UKE´S ATTACKS SHOULD ALWAYS BE UNDER HIS FULL CONTROL AND NAGE SHOULD RESPOND LIKEWISE.

56.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HIGHER RANKED MEMBERS TO SEE THAT THE RULES OF DOJO ETIQUETTE ARE UNDERSTOOD AND FOLLOWED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE DOJO. THE MEMBERS OF HIGHER RANK SHOULD ASSIST THE BEGINNERS IN LEARNING PROPER BOWING TECHNIQUES BEGINNING EXERCISES, ECT. 

57.  IF YOU CANNOT ABIDE BY THESE RULES, YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO STUDY IN THIS DOJO. 

* Much of this was taken from "Aikido and the Harmony of Nature" by Mitsugi   Satome Sensei. This is a excellent book to have in your collection.