Code of Conduct

Club Aikido

Code of Conduct for Members

1.0 Members should always try to uphold the spirit of Aikido when dealing with others. Treat each other with respect & decorum at all times regardless of age/rank/gender/race. Avoid getting involved in politically motivated issues which could bring disharmony to the Club & its members.

1.1 We should understand that there will always be differences of opinion in any discussion on Club issues. We should always respect the right of others to disagree with our views & give those alternative views its due consideration in finding common ground to the benefit of the Club. In cases where there is a conflict of interest due to knowledge or contacts & the member is not comfortable with participating in the discussion, then the member/s should make this known or request to be excused from the discussion.

2.0 New members/trainees are always welcome as long as they observe guideline(1.0) above & do not harbor unhealthy motives or contribute to unnecessary misunderstanding between members.

2.1 Club Aikido only accepts single membership & will not accept members if they are registered with another group.

2.2 All non-members are treated as guests & their presence will only be on approval/invitational basis.

2.3 Senior members(2 kyu above) will have their names in the blog register but new senior members/re-joiners will have their names put up in the blog only after minimum 1 year active membership. Names put up in the Club’s blog as Assistants Instructors or in any other capacity are purely for Club’s administrative reference. It is not to be treated as a permanent appointment or a public announcement of an appointment. The Club will from time to time add or remove certain postings in line with its administrative requirements.

2.4 Senior members who stop paying the annual membership fees will still have their names maintained in the blog register but only for another 1 year unless membership is renewed.

3.0 Club issues if discussed should only be amongst members. Members should not discuss Club issues with non-members or others not connected with the Club.

3.1 Discussions on personal matters(if any) between members should be strictly kept & treated as private & confidential.

4.0 The normal seniority guide is :- as in dojo - rank, out of dojo - age/seniority.

5.0 Training sessions :- appointed assistants will take the training sessions regardless of presence of other senior ranks. Other seniors can help the junior trainees if necessary but at no time should they held-up, interrupt, or disrupt the training session.

5.1 Seniors & assistant instructors should stop/discourage trainees who confuse others with other forms of aikido or unnecessary display of other martial arts during training.

5.2 The most seniors should start the warm-up session whenever the appointed assistant or instructor is still not available at the stipulated training time, and will handover to the assistant/instructor at an appropriated interval when he/she arrived.

6.0 It is good to keep in mind that the training sessions are meant to achieve/promote a universal understanding of Aikido & its practices. It is to give an opportunity to the trainees to appreciate aikido as an art, to develop/improve one’s skill in aikido & to promote/maintain both physical & mental well being.

7.0 The Club always welcomes & appreciates any help rendered by members to its activities/administration. All such help will be coordinated via the Club’s administration.

7.1 All contributions to the Club’s fund will be very much appreciated & the fund will be managed & accounted with transparency by some selected volunteers.

7.2 Sponsorship of & contributions to their Club’s various activities will be considered on a case by case basis. Much as the Club truly appreciates members’ sponsorship & contributions, the Club is also trying its best to attain financial independence for the benefit of all members. In that regard, members should not take it negatively if a sponsorship or contribution is deferred. It should be taken as an indication that the Club is well on its way to financial stability.

7.3 The Club’s fund can be used to subsidise financially strapped sincere senior trainees for participation in paid aikido activities & courses fees base on case by case basis.

8.0 The normal guide to entrusting any responsibility on Club matters/training sessions will be considered first to own club members afterwhich then consideration to new seniors from other clubs on case by case basis.

9.0 The Club will do its best to treat all its members fairly & respectfully regardless of race/gender/rank.

10.0 The Club reserve the right not to entertain any complaints/grievances deem unrelated, hidden agenda, personal motives, political motives.

11.0 No person, unless expressly authorized, shall assume the role of a spokesperson for the Club. Announcements pertaining to the direction, future plans & overall policies of the Club will be made only by the Club’s authorized representative. The Club will, from time to time, appoint certain members / trainees to make certain announcements, to convey messages or to help in certain matters pertaining to the Club’s activities/administration.

12.0 Members/trainees are to verify with Club whenever in doubt. The Club will always try to clarify these issues as soon as possible to the benefit of all.

13.0 The Club will always try to work towards to the direction of friendship & cooperation with others without borders.

The above guidelines are subjected to change for the benefit & health of both Club Aikido & all the members. It will provide us with an identity & show others our sincerity without doubt.

The seniors who have been with the Club since its beginning will be entrusted to oversee and guide the members on the Club's Code of Conducts.

Good as from 20/07/2010

Rules During Practice

1. One blow in Aikido can kill. When practicing always obey your instructor and do not use training a time for needless testing of strength.

2. Aikido is an art where one person learns to face many opponents simultaneously. It therefore requires that you polish and perfect each movement to become invulnerable from any direction.

3. Practice with a feeling of joy and exhilaration.

4. The teachings of your instructor constitute only a small fraction of what you will learn. Your mastery of each movement will depend almost entirely on individual earnest practice.

5. Daily practice begins with light movements gradually increasing in intensity; but there must be no overexertion. Even elderly people can practice with pleasure.

6. The purpose of Aikido is to train both body and mind sincerely. Aikido must not be taught to immoral people or used for evil purposes.

By O'Sensei

REI or BOW

Aikido Etiquette

Arrival at the dojo

Please be punctual. Enter the dojo (the building where we practise) and be on the tatami (mat surface) at least five minutes before the class starts and meditate until the sensei (instructor) arrives. When you come earlier, do warm-up exercises and practise by yourself or with other students.

If you happen to be late, wait just off the mat until acknowledged by the instructor. Step onto the mat and perform a kneeling bow to O-Sensei (the Founder of Aikido). Join in the warming-up exercises or if these are over, do your own warm-up at the edge of the mat. As always, be aware of anyone moving or being thrown near you, and move if necessary.

Occasional lateness or lateness caused by special commitments such as one's work schedule is acceptable, but lateness caused by poor planning or lack of conscientiousness is an indication of a lack of order in one's mind, and unless corrected will hinder one's learning and progress in aikido.

About "Rei"

Aikido is more than a sport; it teaches a way of life. Because of this, aikido deserves our respect. That respect is expressed through the concept of rei, which means "appreciation and respect", and through the manner in which rei is performed. Rei literally translates to a bow given during the course of practice. Rei is done to O-Sensei, the dojo (the place of the Way), the sensei, and other practitioners. Through rei we express our appreciation and respect for life itself.

Rei to the dojo
Upon entering the dojo building, do a standing bow towards the Kamiza (shrine) by bending the body 30 to 45 degrees with the arms held by the side of the body. At all times, while in the dojo when not on the tatami, footwear of some kind must be worn. Put on your zori (sandals) or equivalent when getting changed, and leave them neatly at the side of the tatami during the practice. Leaving sandals in disorder indicates disorder in one's mind.

Rei to the tatami
The tatami surface is the training surface in the dojo and as such it is important to bow there as well. Upon stepping onto the tatami, kneel down in the position known as seiza (sitting on the heels with the back straight) and bow putting both hands in front of the knees keeping the back straight. That bow is also required upon leaving the tatami. Furthermore, if for any important reason it is necessary to leave the tatami during the class, first ask permission from the sensei, then leave the tatami after completing a standing bow, if it is a temporary absence, or a kneeling bow if it is the end of your practice.

Rei to O-Sensei
The spirit of the Founder is always present in the dojo. In our aikido training, we cannot practise without thanking him for the gift of his art. We do a kneeling bow to the Kamiza at the beginning and the end of the class. If one arrives late for the class, one kneels and bows to the Kamiza upon stepping onto the mat.

Rei to the Sensei
After the rei to O-Sensei, the practitioners do a kneeling bow to the sensei. This should be repeated at the end of the class as well. At the beginning of the class it is customary to say Onegai-shimasu (Please help me in my practice) as one bows to the sensei; while at the end of the class, one says Domo arigato gozaimashita (Thank you very much).

Rei to your partner
Your partner is the mirror of yourself. Ignoring your partner's individuality and self-esteem is against the spirit of aikido. Your partner is not someone you compete against, but a person to train with and improve with. Show respect to and consideration of your fellow practitioners in every aspect of the practice.

Again, do not forget that your partner is the mirror of yourself and helping your partner is helping yourself. Partners should bow to each other when starting or finishing practising together. Senior practitioners are precious helpers for you. Regardless of age, sex and social status, they deserve your consideration. Listen to them sincerely and follow their directions in practice. On the other hand, senior students should not take advantage of their position. They should remain humble and sincere, both in attitude and behaviour, and try to be good role models for beginners.

Rei to the weapons that are used
Before and after the use of the bokken (the wooden sword), the jo (the 4-foot stick), or tanto (the wooden knife) hold the weapon at eye level with both hands toward O-Sensei and do a standing bow. Even a piece of wood can be a great help in one's aikido training. When one practises with it, it becomes a part of one's body. Thus, throwing around, stepping on or jumping over the weapon is disrespectful.

General manners
While you practise, always be alert. Careless practice causes accidents and makes no improvement in one's aikido. Do not waste both your and your partner's time in unnecessary talk during the practice. Do not hesitate to let your partner and the sensei know when you cannot continue the practice because of sickness, injuries, or genuine tiredness. When a short rest is necessary go quietly to the corner after bowing to your partner and the sensei, and watch the class. If you feel sick, and still want to practise, see the sensei and ask permission. Since your body belongs to nobody else, take good care of your health and prevent accidents. As to hygiene, wash your keiko-gi (the uniform worn during practice) regularly. Pay close attention to personal hygiene and be sure to keep your toe and finger nails short and filed at all times. Never wear jewellery, watch, hair-slide etc at any time on the tatami. This will help prevent accidents to both yourself and your partner. The dojo, where we practise, is in the care of the membership. It is the responsibility and the pleasure of the members to see that the dojo is clean at all times. This is accomplished after each practice. Do not wait to be directed, but show initiative and do whatever is necessary to ensure that the building is clean.