The karate dojo (school) is a unique environment with its own rules, expectations, and culture. We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself (and, if you are a parent or caregiver, your children) with the below information prior to attending classes.
Before Attending Class:
1. Make sure you have everything you need for class — your gi (uniform), your obi (belt), and a water bottle.
2. We take personal hygiene and safety very seriously — please help us by observing the following:
☑️ Make sure fingernails and toenails are cut short;☑️ Any open cuts or scrapes must be covered with an appropriate bandage that will stay on during training (our suggestion: athletic tape wrapped over a bandaged area will help tremendously);☑️ Make sure your feet are clean and wear appropriate shoes when not on the mats;☑Sick? Stay home! You may make up any missed class at any point during the year!
3. Practice your skills! Check out our Student Area in the main menu for instructions on how to download our video library app!
When Arriving:
1. Shoes, socks, jackets, and other personal items should be removed prior to entering the dojo. Our lobby area has ample shoe racks and coat hooks. Please make sure all jewelry and watches are removed prior to training.
2. Make sure your uniform is neat and your belt is tied correctly prior to entering the dojo.
3. When entering and leaving the dojo, please bow.
4. Please bring your water bottle into the dojo with you. They can be placed on the inside benches.
Parents and caregivers: Please make sure your child’s water bottle has been filled prior to the start of class (we have a water cooler in the lobby). Students should not leave the floor during class.
5. Students: Please use the restroom prior to class.
6. No food, gum, or drinks other than water are allowed in the dojo under any circumstances.
During Class:
1. Students should not leave the dojo during class for any reason without asking the instructor’s permission.
2. Students should not shout out, have side conversations with one another, etc. during class. Instructors may offer appropriate opportunities for discussion, questions, etc.
3. Parents: We welcome you to watch class, have a coffee, and get a little work done in our lobby while class is in session. Siblings are welcome to quietly play with some of the games and puzzles we have available. Noise from the lobby must be kept to an absolute minimum so as not to disrupt classes — compare your behavior in our lobby area to how you would conduct yourself in a library. We reserve the right to ask disruptive visitors to step outside for the duration of class.
4. Parents and caregivers: No phone calls inside the lobby at any time; please step outside. Similarly, please no playing music, videos, etc. on phones or iPads without headphones in.
