- Do not leave the mat during class except in the case of injury or illness.
- When the instructor demonstrates a technique, sit quietly and attentively in seiza. After the demonstration, bow to the instructor, then to a partner, and immediately begin to practice.
- When the end of a technique is signaled, stop immediately, bow to your partner and quickly line up with the other students.
- Never stand around idly on the mat. You should be practicing or, if necessary, seated in seiza awaiting your turn.
- If it is necessary to ask a question of the instructor you should go to them and bow. Never call the instructor over to you.
- When receiving personal instruction, sit in seiza and watch intently. Bow formally when the instructor has finished. When another near by is being instructed you may stop your practice to watch. Sit formally and bow as before.
- When entering or leaving the dojo, it is proper to bow in the direction of O Sensei's picture, the kamiza, or the front of the dojo. You should also bow when entering or leaving the mat.
- Respect your training tools. Gis should be clean and mended. Weapons should be in good condition and in their proper place when not in use.
- Never use someone else’s practice gi or weapons.
- A few minutes before class time you should be warmed up and formally seated in quiet meditation to rid your mind of the day’s problems and prepare for study.
- Be on time for practice. If you are unavoidably late you should wait, formally seated beside the mat until the instructor signals their permission for you to join the class. Quietly perform a simple seated bow as you get on the mat.
- Sit in seiza or formal sitting position. If you have a knee injury, you may sit cross-legged, but do not lean against the walls or sit with your legs stretched out.
- Respect those more experienced. Never argue about technique.
- Respect those less experienced. Do not pressure your ideas on others.
- If you understand the movement and are working with someone who does not, you may lead that person through it. Do not attempt to correct or instruct your training partner unless you are authorized to do so.
- Keep talking on the mat to an absolute minimum. Aikido is experience.
- No shoes on the mat.
- Remove watches, rings, and other jewelry before practice, as they may cause injury to you or your partner during training.
- Do not bring food, gum, or beverages with you into the dojo.
- Please keep your finger and toe nails cut short, and feet clean.
- Never drink alcoholic beverages while still wearing your practice gi.
