Spirit First Martial Arts

I am aware that the practice of Karate-do is a martial art and has with it certain traditions and principles that must be understood and observed at all times. The training, study and practice of Karate-do, involves an element of danger and unpredictability and incorporates the study of self defensive techniques that could have the possibility of incurring personal injury.

I freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage or loss resulting from such risks, dangers and hazards.

I hereby agree as follows:

TO ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS in connection with the practice of Karate-do. I assume the risk for any injuries or damage arising out of or in any way connected with the use of any of the service or facilities

TO WAVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I may have against Spirit First Martial Arts, their instructors, employees, agents and representatives.

TO RELEASE Spirit First Martial Arts from any and all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense that I, or my next of kin, may suffer or incur as a result of actions due to any cause whatsoever, including negligence on the part of Spirit First Martial Arts.

TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY Spirit First Martial Arts from any and all liability for property damage, personal injury or death suffered by myself or by a third party as a result of (a) my use of the facilities and /or (b) my breach of the terms and conditions upon.

THAT THIS RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, and assigns, in the event of my death.

TO OBEY all warning signs and other notices posted within the facility and to obey the code of conduct.

I ACKNOWLEDGE I am not required to perform or undertake any technique or practice in any situation, which I consider to be unsafe in which case I agree to notify the instructor immediately of my concerns.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Head Dojo Instructor /Instructor reserves the right to direct a student to cease training and leave the floor and/or the building at any time for maters of safety, infringements of courtesy or for conduct bringing the Dojo into disrepute. Successful risk management is only achieved when all students and staff adopt a spirit of responsibility in regards to safety issues.

All students should be aware of and adhere to all the understated Dojo Reigi.

COVID-19 Policy

Operational Policy in regards to management of the cleanliness and potential transfer of COVID -19 and or any communicable pathogens.

General Entry to SFMA Dojo facility:

A/ All persons must use all precautions to avoid the spread of potential illness to other people at all times. These considerations are the direct responsibility of each person, and showing respect for other people in attendance and respect for ones self.

B/ All persons who are members of the Dojo and related persons who support those members are asked not to attend the Dojo facility or any class should they feel or suspect they are unwell. This policy and request is in regard to any illness not only Covid-19: flu, colds, and any symptoms of feeling unwell.

C/ SFMA reserves the right to refuse entry for training or visiting, to any person suspected of being unwell.

D/ All students are to remain outside the Dojo until invited in. This is especially required for the second class. As we will have limited numbers allowed in the facility at any one time please allow the first class to leave before you enter. Sensei will invite you in.

E/ All persons will use the supplied hand sanitizer upon entry and leaving the Dojo. We also request students carry their own sanitizer with them whenever possible. Again - Sanitizer is to be used upon entry and prior leaving.

F/ Parents and those waiting for students are requested to remain outside, observing the 1.5m social distancing rules. Coming inside would add to the numbers on site and limit students’ numbers.

G/ All equipment used during the training session is to be sanitized by use of an appropriate spray and wiped down by those who used it.

H/ Dojo floor is to be swept and sanitized after each nights training. This is a traditional action.

I/ If a person is unwell but still would like to train and participate in a class, SFMA is investing in camera and monitor and Zoom transmission of classes so students can participate from home. This transmission request must be made by 4 pm on the day of training so SFMA can set up the equipment and LOG IN for that class.

J/ If any member of SFMA or family member is suspected of contracting Covid-19 or displays the similar symptoms, they must be tested without delay and results given to the management of SFMA so contact tracing can be enacted with the relevant authorities.

K/ All members must wash GI (uniform) regularly to decontaminate but it is also good manners and respecting your fellow training partners.

L/ All members must have washed hands and feet to decontaminate and be generally clean before entering the Dojo, but it is also good manners and respecting your fellow training partners. (Nothing worse than to train with a partner with dirty clothing and hands and feet - have respect for yourself first then you can respect others)

M/ level 3 allows for contact training and sport while on the field of play. This includes the Dojo floor. Once you leave the floor all distancing and sanitizing must be followed as in the prior level.

N/ Student numbers on the floor are to correspond to the 4 sq meter rule. SFMA has 300 sq meters so up to 75 persons on the floor. We will not be in that situation.

O/ Sparing Students are required to bring a cleaning cloth to spray and wipe their gloves after each sparing match. In case of contact cleaning your gloves will ensure the next contact would not transmit anything unwanted.

P/ While on the Dojo floor and contact drills are being done please respect partners in relation to such contact- If a partner does not want contact or requires less or more intensity please respect that request. This is standard courtesy and policy- nothing new.

Level 3 allows all players to be intermingling and contacting while on the floor but Please sanitise at any opportunity during a change in drill. After several partners.

Dojo rules prior training

1. Be aware of Dojo safety policies before undertaking training. Advice and policy available from instructors.

2. Notify the Head dojo Instructor of any pre-existing medical condition or disability prior to training. For serious conditions a medical clearance must be obtained.

3. Students must not participate if they have injuries or conditions such as serious cuts or abrasions, rashes, boils or any other contagious condition. Minor abrasions and cuts must be adequately dressed and covered prior training.

4. Jewellery is not allowed in the Dojo and must be removed and this includes: - rings, watches and ornaments (earrings and piercings) as these will cause injury to you and your Karate partners.

5. Long hair must be secured and or braided.

6. Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed short and smooth to avoid cutting training partners.

7. No food or drink (other than water at the instruction) is allowed in the Dojo

8. A White top and Black pant traditional Karate Gi is to be used unless otherwise stated. The Spirit First Martial Arts patch (mon) must be worn over the heart and no other patches may be worn on the Gi. Gi must always be clean, neat and untorn. Females must ware a White T-shirt or sport bra under the Gi top. No coloured clothes or and no collars may be worn under the Gi.

9. Proper hygiene is important in the Dojo. Student must present a clean body along with the clean uniform.

10. Students must notify the teaching instructor in writing when taking a leave of absence.

11. All weapons must be kept in a sound condition and stored in an appropriate manner.

12. Do not brag or show off your knowledge. Others will get an unfavourable impression of you and Karate-do through your actions.

13. Any student who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to train.

14. Students should not participate in tournaments or demonstrations of any kind without Sensei’s permission and or supervision. Also a friendly relationship with another Dojo is not a license to train with them, regardless of their invitation. Students should not take instructions at another dojo without permission from Sensei.

15. Supporting and promoting the Dojo is the duty of all members. Negative attitudes or comments are not acceptable. If any student has a problem it is important that it be worked out. Negative discussions regarding the Dojo, its instructors, and /or other will not be tolerated.

Dojo rules during training

1. Karate-do begins and ends with courtesy. A bow should be performed.

a. When entering and leaving the training area (bow to the Shomen front of the dojo)

b. When greeting (and after training with) instructors and /or training partners

c. Before and after formal presentations.

2. When Sensei first enters the training area, the first student to see him/her should call the other students to attention, Ki-o-tsuke. Students should bow with the appropriate greeting. (Students arriving after Sensei has entered the dojo and prior class starting, should call out the appropriate greeting upon entering the training area.

a. “Sensei! Ohayo gozaimasu/ konnichi wa/ konban wa!” “Good Morning/ Good afternoon/ Good Evening

b. When addressing fellow student or instructor, use phrase:

“Onegai shimasu” ..........................................”Please do me a favour”

c. After the exchange the student should respond with:

“Domo arigato gozaimasu”.......................”Thank you very much (for what you have done)”

d. And receive the answer from the senior student:

“Do itashimasu”.........................................”Not at all (don’t mention it)

e. Should the instructor ask student (s) a question, the student should respond: “Hi/Iie Sensei”................................................”Yes /No Sensei”

3. When arriving late, student should then perform a bow toward the Shomen before entering then enter and kneel by the door and wait for the instructor’s permission before rising and joining the class in the last place available.

4. Students must show appropriate courtesy to peers and instructors at all times. Instructors should be addressed as Mr. Mrs. or Miss or by title (Sensei, Shidoshi, Shidoin, Sempai.etc) Titles are optional outside the Dojo. However, appropriate courtesy should be observed at karate events outside the Dojo.

5. At all times, obey the instructions of the instructor including the directions to cease training.

6. Always pay attention. If you are distracted you may block down instead of up and find a fist in your face. Pay attention to avoid mistakes or missing a piece of information that may improve your technique.

7. No horseplay is allowed in the Dojo. Karate is not play, and should never be used for games. Sparring is not allowed unless approved and supervised by an instructor.

8. On the training floor, practice or Budo discussion is the only appropriate behaviour. Inappropriate behaviour like laughing talking or profanity is not permitted.

9. Students may opt to decline to participate in any activity they feel uncomfortable with.

10. Students should train at a level they feel comfortable with. Always attempt a technique/activity at a basic level before proceeding to a more advanced level.

11. Partners should train at a level of the least experienced partner.

12. Competency in any technique including rolling and break-falling is developed over a long period of time. Partners should agree prior to training whether they are prepared to take a fall (ukemi) and proceed slowly.

13. Take care to avoid collisions on the floor. Always be aware of your surroundings and other training groups.

14. Practice only the specific technique demonstrated and directed by the instructor.

15. Any freestyle training is only undertaken when supervised by the instructor.

16. Report all accidents to the instructor immediately. Exercise universal precautions in regard to blood borne pathogens. ( see blood policy )

17. Notify the Instructor if any medical condition becomes apparent during training that may affect safety.

18. Students should pace themselves according to their level of fitness and competency. The student competes only with themselves not other students.

19. Students should avoid dehydration and over exertion and advise the instructor if water and/or break are required.

20. Niten Soji-do (daily cleaning) is the responsibility of all students and lead by the seniors.

21. Students should not break ranks or leave the dojo during class without the instructor’s permission and /or acknowledgement.

22. Assisting Sensei with teaching duties is a privilege and an obligation of all senior students,

23. Students must refrain from teaching others what they have learned without sensei’s permission and/or supervision.

24. Turn away from the Shomen or instructor to retie your belt and straighten up your Gi.

25. Sparring of any kind is not allowed without supervision. As a matter of courtesy, students should never ask a seniors to Kumite (sparring)

At home training - online live or home self practice

1. Ensure that you have sufficient space available to perform the exercises as needed.

2. Stay clear from any breakable objects.

3. Adjust your technique as needed to prevent damage to near by objects, property or injury to self.

4. Proper dojo manners, respect and etiquette are to be observed even while joining class remotely/online.