Individual Etiquette

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Martial arts helps a new student more than you can imagine. To start off with, your appearance and dress makes a difference in how you perceive training. We hope each time you put on your Gi demonstrates the self-respect, pride, and joy in your new challenge. In order for you to be successful follow the below instructions.  A dojo is not a social club, or a typical gym.  See further instructions below.

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Grooming and Hygiene - This should go without saying.

 

Hair

Come to class with clean hair. If you are at risk for lice due to school outbreaks or work environments, please stay home and correct this issue before returning to class.  Using communal gear puts you at risk for these issues.

Long hair is to be put in a ponytail or other style to keep the hair from interrupting training.

 

Body

Come to class with a clean body. If you have an outbreak such as poison ivy, you need to take care of it prior to using communal gear so as not to expose your peers to it. Due to allergies, please keep perfume and body sprays to a minimum.

 

Nails

Hands and feet must be kept clean. ·        

• Cover any open wounds, and maintain grooming so that your hands are not hazardous to your peers. 

• Nails cannot be pointed and not excessively long. This applies to male and female students.  If long acrylic nails are present, you will be limited to charts and kata.

 

Keep your uniform clean; keep your equipment clean; keep your body clean; keep communal equipment clean. Take pride in yourself and wear your Gi with dignity.

 

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Specifically Female Karate-Ka

Protective Gear:

• Females are advised to wear both groin protection and breast protection.  Choosing not to do so is at your own risk.

• Undershorts:

• At no point should your integrity or respect be compromised by inadvertently exposing others to your private areas.

• Undershorts for women are often compression or legging type shorts. While it is not required, you may find it more comfortable to wear.

• If shorts are permitted in lieu of GI pants, you must wear a compression type short underneath the baggy or loose shorts. 

• Undershirt and Bra

• Sports Bras:

• All females at no point should your integrity or respect be compromised by the display of cleavage. 

• All such females are also required to wear a high collared t-shirt or compressing / heat wear type shirt. If you forget and wear a shirt that shows cleavage, Sensei may ask you to leave the floor to find an appropriate t-shirt.

• All young girls must wear a high collar shirt or a cami under a scoop neck or v-neck shirt. It is best practice to wear a standard t-shirt or heat wear type shirt. If the girl has developed fast for her age, she must wear a sports bra underneath her high collared shirt.

• Sleeved Shirts:

• Sleeved shirts are preferred and are to be worn underneath a Gi top. All shirts must be tucked into the Gi pants. If you find it “too hot,” it is recommended to get a compression or heat gear shirt to wear instead.

• Tank tops or Sleeveless Shirts

• Tank tops or sleeveless shirts must be worn with a high collar so that no cleavage is seen. This also applies to young girls (see above instructions).

• Your shirt must appropriately cover your torso; no midriff should be shown and the shirt must cover 90 percent of the sports bra underneath the arm.

• Follow these instructions or the Sensei may asked you to leave the floor.

 

Specifically Male Karate-Ka

Protective Gear:

• Males are advised to wear groin protection. Choosing not to do so is at your own risk and is often a self-correcting error.

• Undershorts:

• At no point should your integrity or respect be compromised by inadvertently exposing others to your private areas.  Shorts are to be worn underneath Gi bottoms.  Typically, males will have compression shorts that incorporate a cup for groin protection. If not, it is recommended to wear a fitted pair of shorts.

• If shorts are permitted in lieu of Gi pants, you must wear a compression type short underneath your outer shorts. 

• Undershirts:

• Sleeved shirts are to be worn underneath a Gi top.

• All shirts must be tucked into the Gi pants. If you find it “too hot,” it is recommended to get a compression or heat gear shirt to wear instead.

• Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.

• Follow these instructions or the Sensei may asked you to leave the floor.