About Courtesy:
1. Follow the rules of etiquette and courtesy (respect). "Karate begins and ends with courtesy."
2. Remember to respect yourself, as well as others.
3. Remember to say "please," "thank you" and "you're welcome." Hold doors open for others.
4. Ask your seniors if you are not sure what to do in a situation. Consulting the senior shows respect.
5. Consider the consequences of your actions. Think before you speak, particularly if you are angry.
6. Courtesy, character development, self-discipline and restraint take precedence over technique.
7. Bow when entering and leaving the dojo. Keep your eyes slightly lowered when bowing, but maintain awareness.
8. Shoes and slippers should be neatly arranged in the shoe room.
9. When we line up at the beginning and end of the class, the Sensei stands in the front of the class. In the beginning of class, we say "onegaishimasu" which means "please teach me." At the end of class, we say "domo arigato gozaimasu" which means "thank you." When we bow to the Sensei, we are showing respect to the Sensei and he is showing respect to us.
10. If Sensei arrives late or leaves early, the class should be brought to attention by the senior student and show the proper courtesy.
11. When arriving to class late, bow to the Sensei, then warm-up and wait for permission to join the class.

About Health & Hygiene:
1. Keep your body clean.
2. Keep your fingernails and toenails short and neatly trimmed.
3. Long hair should be neatly pulled back, preferably with a black tie..
4. Drink plenty of water during breaks.
5. There is much to be said about the recommendation to "exercise regularly, stand straight, drink plenty of water, and get enough rest."

About the Uniform:
1. Keep your gi neat and clean.
2. Undershirts should be tucked into the pants..
3. The belt generally should not touch the floor.
4. The gi pants should be cut and hemmed to the proper length.

About Kumite (sparring):
1. Kumite should only take place under the Sensei’s supervision.
2. Kumite is not a game or a contest. There is no winner or loser. The goal is to learn, not win. You do not have an opponent, you have a partner. You are both polishing your skills. In the real world, escape can be a victory.
3. You must remain calm in kumite. Never become angry. You are learning to control your mind as well as your body.
4. Never strike to the face, spine, groin, knees, or vital points.

About Attendance:
1. Come to class to learn. Practice at home.
2. Children should be dropped off and picked up at the dojo -- not in the parking lot.
3. Come to class 5 minutes early to warm-up and stretch. Being prompt is part of your training.
4. Always let the Sensei know if you are suffering from an injury, illness or require special assistance. Do not come to class when suffering from a contagious illness. Rest and come back to class when you have fully recovered.
5. Let the Sensei know if you must leave class early. Show the proper courtesy when leaving the class early.
6. Let the Sensei know if you will miss class for an extended period.
7. Let the Sensei know when you decide to quit training or take an extended leave of absence. End with a sense of courtesy. You might want to donate your gi to another student.

About Ranking:
1. The Sensei alone determines ranking. Senior belts cannot promote students but may be asked to help to evaluate or test them.
2. Never request to be tested or promoted.
3. Test notices are handed out to students that have met the minimum attendance and have shown knowledge and performance of their rank requirements along with a good class attitude.
4. Test notices and fees are required to be turned in at least 1 week prior to the day of the test.
5. Students not testing are not required to attend but are welcome to watch.
6. Accept a promotion with a sense of increased responsibility to your fellow students.

Attitudes for learning and teaching:
1. Always maintain a beginner's heart (attitude). You can't learn something if you think you already know it.
2. The most advanced thing is basics! Some experts say that it takes 20 years to learn basics.
3. Never contradict or attempt to correct the Sensei. The way the Sensei does it is right. Discuss such matters with the Sensei privately.
4. Always accept correction positively and with an open mind.
5. Remember that Karate techniques differ according to the student's ability and experience. You will learn different ways to execute techniques as you progress. What you learned before in a previous rank was not wrong.
6. It is far better to know one kata well than dozens of kata poorly!
7. Teaching is an essential aspect of learning. Advanced students will be asked to teach and to help conduct the class. When you become advanced, remember that you were once a beginner too.
8. There is a saying that in order to progress, one must bring up another student. Progress is never alone.
9. As you advance, ego is a constant enemy. Remain humble.

Things that should not be done in the dojo:
1. Do not wear dangling jewelry in the dojo.
2. Do not chew gum while training.
3. Do not run or act recklessly in the dojo.
4. Do not speak loudly. Use a quiet voice in the dojo (except when leading the count).
5. Do not use profanity or abusive language in the dojo.
6. Do not become angry or upset in the dojo.