AIKIDO HIBIKI
Dojo Etiquette
Etiquette and social manners allow us to practice safely as well as develop mutual respect and a supportive environment of awareness.
The martial arts are a discipline and physical technique is a vehicle for your personal refinement and spiritual growth. In addition to technique, how we conduct ourselves in the dojo and during practice is informed by etiquette.
Reigi (Etiquette / Manners)
Understanding Dojo Etiquette (Reigi)
When you first start Aikido, you'll encounter a lot of unfamiliar bowing and specific ways of doing things. Don't worry—it’s not about memorizing a checklist of rules. It's about a bigger idea.
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The Big Picture
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Focus on the Goal: The many forms of etiquette (Reigi) are designed to encourage personal development and mindfulness, not just to be formal. Try to understand the spirit of the tradition rather than stressing over every detail.
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It Takes Time: It’s expected that you won't remember everything right away. You will gradually learn the dojo culture by paying attention and through gentle reminders from your instructor and peers.
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Why the Bows Matter
Bowing and being mindful of your posture or where you stand serve as simple, frequent "checkpoints" to bring you back to the present moment.
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Practicing Mindfulness: These actions remind you to be attentive to what you are doing and where you are.
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Marking Transitions: Bows often mark the beginning and end of something—whether it's starting practice with a new partner, stepping onto the mat, or beginning or ending class.
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Mean It: The effectiveness of this etiquette is completely up to you. You are in control of whether you just go through the motions or if you use the bow as a sincere moment to remember that you are here to work on yourself, supported by your training partners.
The Effect of Ritual
Why the Rituals Matter: The Effect of Tradition
You may wonder why Aikido keeps things like bowing and specific ways of sitting. While these traditions are part of the art's Japanese heritage, they are kept because they serve a deeper, practical purpose in your training.
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Ritual as a Mental Reset
The various rituals, especially bowing, act as "checkpoints" throughout the class.
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Mindfulness: Instead of just having a continuous stream of activity, the bow forces you to pause, even briefly, and pay attention to the moment. It’s a prompt to reset your mind.
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Creating a Special Space: Think of a bow as a way of "stepping through a door" into the training space. You are telling yourself: "It is significant that now I am starting this activity, entering this special area, or taking on this role."
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Framing Your Experience
Rituals also help frame your mental and emotional experience of the training.
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Controlling the Narrative: Humans are deeply affected by the stories we tell ourselves about our experiences. Using a ritual—like the formality of beginning and ending class—helps you to define your experience.
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Protection and Transition: Just as ancient cultures used rituals to help people mentally transition between home and war, the rituals in Aikido help you transition between your everyday life and the focused, physical practice on the mat. They help you process the intense experience of training and leave it on the mat when you're done.