Dojo Rules

Dojo rules constitute both a legal agreement and your acknowledgement that you are, in some part, a member of the dojo community.

While there is a lot of information below, let's summarize all of them very simply:

Dojo rules are detailed and enforced in four major ways:

These rules. If you are a student at the dojo, or in the case of a student under the age of 18, a family member (including parents, siblings, and relatives), or a visitor, you are bound by these rules. Students and families have agreed, in writing to follow these rules when you applied to become a member of the dojo. You can read those rules below.

Terms of Use of GOJUKARATE.COM. You can read the specific rules in regards to accessing the official website and any online resources of the dojo here and here.

Dojo Kun. Dojo kun refers to the specific rules and customs of our dojo. They might differ at other dojo, however. Dojo Kun is potentially complex, and you should ask questions of seniors and instructors to learn them. However, you can read more about them below as well.

Reiho. This is literally the "art or practice of respect" – these types of rules are similar at all dojo, and in fact, most apply to all of your interactions with others outside the dojo. We expect you to practice reiho at the dojo, always.

The Rules: Being a Part of the Dojo Community

The dojo is a special and unique place. Being a part of the dojo community isn't complex: always ask a senior if you're not sure what to do or how to behave.

Goju Karate is a traditional dojo and everyone who is part of our community, from Sensei to the most junior 10th kyu white-belt is expected to act in a manner that is appropriate to being part of our community and being at the dojo.

So here's some basic rules to be aware of:

You're expected to pay your tuition and any other fees on-time, and without being reminded to do so. You are always a part of the dojo community, whether you're on the floor or a thousand miles away on vacation. You are expected to pay tuition regardless of whether you're training or not.

Dress appropriately at the dojo. We assume you know what that means: if you don't ask a senior.

Always act respectfully of both others, including visitors and parents, and of the dojo itself. It's your dojo: take good care of it. Don't leave trash anywhere except in a garbage bin; always clean-up and keep your equipment, locker, and uniform neat and tidy.

If you're training at the dojo, always make sure to take care of your personal grooming. Yes, we know you're going to sweat and smell bad after training. That's expected. Don't show up smelling bad, however.

If you smoke tobacco products, do not show up at the dojo smelling of them. This is disrespectful. Also, for the sake of the people who love you, stop smoking. If you're smoking something else, get immediate help. And don't even think of showing up smelling of them either.

Alcohol, tobacco, and any drug, legal or otherwise, isn't permitted at the dojo at any time or in any form. Ever. Don't even think about it.

Being disrespectful, including using inappropriate language (if we have to tell you what that is, talk to a senior about it), or acting in any way that is inappropriate or disrespectful is not permitted at any time.

Parents and visitors are permitted the use of electronic devices on the dojo floor, provided you do so respectfully and unabtrusively. Playing audio, taking phone calls, or using headphones is never permitted on the dojo floor, and we shouldn't have to tell you that.

Students, visitors, and parents may use electronic devices off the dojo floor, but playing audio aloud is never permitted. If you need to take a phone call, do so unobtrusively or excuse yourself and take it outside.

Always consult both the Dojo Calendar and the Class Schedule (including Today@Goju) so that you're aware of events, holidays, schedule changes, etc. You are responsible for knowing when class is held, and on what days and at what time.

And finally, this list isn't exhaustive by any means. However, if you keep in mind the advice above – Always act with respect, curiosity, and a basic understanding that you are a part of something special, important, and bigger than one individual – then you'll be a great part of our dojo community. In the end, however, any decision regarding the rules of the dojo are made by senior blackbelts and Sensei, and their decision is final.

The Rules: the Student Agreement

This is a legal agreement between you, our Student, and Goju Karate, your dojo.

Goju Karate is completely focused and dedicated to keeping all of our students safe, both on and off the dojo floor. However, sometimes accidents happen and our instructors or staff members may even make mistakes that cause accidents to happen.

So, in this agreement, you are being asked to state that you know that karate can potentially cause injuries, including very serious injuries, and that you will not hold anyone at Goju Karate legally responsible for such accidents or injuries.

This agreement also gives us the ability to sometimes offer first aid to our students if we think that’s the best thing to do, and to sometimes use photos or videos of you that we take at the dojo in advertising or on our website.

There are more specifics in the agreement below: please read it carefully since you are responsible for following them, have agreed to them, and have agreed to refer to this page to read any updates, changes, or amendments that might occur in the future to these rules.

AGREEMENT

The Student (or in the case of a legal minor, any reference to “Student” shall be construed to mean “Parent or Guardian on behalf of the Student”) represents that he or she has been informed of the nature and risks involved in karate, martial arts, and the athletic activities conducted at Goju Karate and warrants without exception that he or she is physically and mentally fit to participate in such activities. Even if the Student has any known mental or physical limitations, the Student acknowledges that instructors at Goju Karate are not qualified to evaluate such limitations or their effect on the Student’s ability to participate in any activities performed, taught, or held at Goju Karate and are not expected to do so.

The Student assumes the risk of any and all accidents and injuries of any kind sustained by her or him by reason or in connection with said karate, martial arts, or athletic activities whether the same are caused by, or attributed to, the negligence or gross negligence of the instructors or otherwise.

The Student further agrees that he or she understands that karate, martial arts, and other athletic activities performed at Goju Karate involve defensive and offensive skills and training which include violent and sudden movements.

In connection with the training and instruction given at Goju Karate, and the activities performed here, there will be physical contact between instructors and students and between and among the students themselves.

Furthermore, and in addition, such contacts may result in personal injury despite the best intentions and following adequate precautions. The Student agrees that neither the instructors nor Goju Karate nor any of the employees or representatives of Goju Karate shall be responsible for and are hereby released from any liability, claim, loss – including loss of property, damage, personal-injury, or expense incurred by the Student or anyone claiming through the Student, or related to any activity connected with Goju Karate, including, but not limited to, a loss caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the instructors, Goju Karate or any of its agents, employees or otherwise.

The Student further agrees to assume the risk of any accident or injury of any kind sustained anyplace in the building where said karate, martial arts, or other athletic activities are held, or on entering or leaving such building and hereby releases, discharges and absolves Goju Karate, its agents and employees of any and all liability and responsibility for any accidents or injuries, whether the same are caused by or attributed to their negligence or the negligence of any of them.

The applicant fully understands that any medical treatment given will be of first aid type, and only in the event that the Student requires or requests it, and that such first aid shall be administered or withheld at the sole discretion of Goju Karate, and Student explicitly releases Goju Karate, its instructors, employees, officers, or agents from any liability in connection with the rendering of, or failure to, render such first aid.

In the event that a parent gives assent to this agreement on behalf of a minor child, the parent or guardian warrants (a) that parent has such legal right to enter into this agreement on behalf of the child and (b) that the parent or guardian hereby gives consent and explicit direction to offer or withhold rudimentary first aid to his or her child

The Student consents to the use of, and waives any compensation whatsoever for, all pictures, movies, videos, television, media coverage, etc. by Goju Karate or those designated by them.

All references to “Goju Karate” in this agreement shall also be extended to include any and all waivers of liability to allied or unaffiliated organizations, including but not limited to Goju Karate Inc., Goju Karate Kizuna, a Non-Profit Organization, and any other affiliate of Goju Karate.