Our Wellington Dojo
Our Wellington City Dojo is located in the big yellow Animates building at 132 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara (entrance from the carpark corner). It is a well-appointed dojo, with a huge tatami mat training area. We share the facilities with the Riai City Dojo as part of the new City Dojo centre, alternating training times.
We observe some etiquette that respects the space. Some is based on Japanese custom, while other aspects are based on safety and hygiene considerations. The points mentioned in this section relate to general judo use. Coaches and senior members will give guidance on more specific safety and etiquette guidelines during training sessions. A good general rule to follow is the old “When in Rome” principle.
Customary:
– Perform a standing bow when stepping on or off the tatami (training mat).
– Remove shoes before entering the dojo, placing them on the shelves near the door.
– Bow to your training partner before and after practicing with them.
– Avoid leaving the mat during training unless you really need to and only then after notifying the coach.
– If you are late to training, after stepping onto the mat, kneel until you are welcomed on.
Hygiene:
– Always wear shoes when leaving the dojo room. This is especially important if visiting the toilets or going outside then back onto the mat.
– Keep your gi (uniform) clean and in a good state of repair.
– Keep toe and finger nails as short as possible and do not wear jewelry, watches, bracelets, hair pins (etc.) while training.
– Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene.
Safety:
Every member has a responsibility to ensure the safety of themselves and of others. Judo is a contact martial art and its study does involve the acceptance of certain risks. Simulating both armed and unarmed attack situations can be physically demanding for both attackers and defenders. Occasional injuries such as bruises and sprains are to be expected. However, it is the aim of the Academy to ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable that training is carried out in a safe environment and in a safe manner.
– Disclose to the coach any new medical condition, change in health status or injury that may affect or restrict your training.
– Use only appropriate force when training and exercise restraint where required, especially during locks and strangles. A tap means stop.
– Follow the instructions of the coach and senior grades, and in particular observe the command to stop from the coach.
– Follow the advice of other more experienced members where that advice relates to safety.
– Draw to the attention of the coach anything that may affect the safety of people training.
– Do not engage in free practice without the presence of an instructor and, in general, avoid the practice of Judo for amusement off the mat.
– Do not attempt techniques that you have not been instructed to do.
