In general, Reigi is considered very important in Aikido – especially within the FNAL.

We aikidokas do not view this etiquette as a mere formality, but as an outward expression of our inner attitude.

However, we aikidokas do not observe Reigi to impress the other participants or even our teacher, but for our own sake.

To make learning and practicing Aikido together as enjoyable as possible for every participant, the following etiquette applies:

Please enter the dojo premises only in shower shoes or, in exceptional cases, in socks.

The mat area itself may only be entered barefoot.

To ensure general hygiene, aikidoka should generally wear shower shoes when moving outside the mat area. These should be neatly placed at the edge of the mats.

The dojo is a place of togetherness!

All aikidokas work together, under the instructor’s guidance, to lay out the mats before class and put them away after practice.

Every aikidoka is required to help clean the dojo and the mats.

For hygienic reasons and out of respect for their training partners, aikidoka wear a clean aikido uniform. They also take great care to keep their hands and feet spotlessly clean.

To avoid injuring other participants, the aikidoka keeps his or her toenails and fingernails trimmed short. To prevent injuries, all jewelry must also be removed before stepping onto the mat.

The aikidoka must inform the instructor of any injuries or physical limitations before the start of practice so that the instructor can take them into account during practice.

The aikidoka arrives at the dojo early enough to change clothes at a leisurely pace before the practice session begins and to help set up the mats.

The aikidoka tries not to let tardiness become a habit.

If, in exceptional cases, the aikidoka happens to be late, he waits at the entrance to the dojo, fully dressed in his aikido uniform, until any meditation or demonstration sessions are over, and only then enters quietly.

He waits until the teacher gives him permission to step onto the mat by bowing. The aikidoka briefly sits in seiza (kneeling position) and closes his eyes. After a few breaths, he bows and then joins the training. If the training is already well underway, he does his warm-up exercises on his own at the edge of the mat—without getting in the way of the other participants.

To prevent theft, all valuables should be taken into the dojo and not left in the locker room.

Cell phones must be turned off !

When entering or leaving the mat, the aikidoka bows toward the shomen.

The shomen is the front of the training area, where a photograph of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba or an aikido calligraphy piece is displayed. The bow serves, on the one hand, as a sign of respect and, on the other hand, is intended to remind the aikidoka to focus solely on the study of aikido during the upcoming class.

As soon as the instructor steps onto the mat, all participants sit in the kneeling position (seiza) side by side in a row facing the shomen and remain silent. If there is not enough space, another row is formed. In principle, the following seating arrangement must be observed: More experienced students (sempai) generally sit on the right side of the row, while less experienced students sit on the left.

At the beginning of practice, there is a period of concentration. During this time, the aikidokas try to focus on the upcoming practice and leave their daily lives behind. At a verbal cue from the instructor (“Rei”), everyone bows together toward the shomen. Afterward, all students bow before the instructor while saying “onegai shimasu.” This is a polite Japanese expression meaning “please” and thus expresses our desire to receive instruction.

When the instructor demonstrates a technique or gives instructions, participants kneel either in the seiza (kneeling position) or in the agura (cross-legged position), ideally at the edge of the mat. At the end of the demonstration, they express their gratitude with a bow. Afterward, participants turn to a partner next to them and invite them to practice with a bow.

Aikidokas practice with their partner at a speed and intensity appropriate for both their skill levels. If, despite the utmost caution, an injury occurs, this must be reported to the instructor immediately and without delay.

When the instructor concludes the practice of a technique, the aikidoka thanks his or her partner with a bow and a “Thank you!” and then sits down in the row with the other students.

The aikidoka should leave the mat only during breaks or, in urgent cases, after consulting with the instructor.

Throughout the entire practice session, the aikidoka remains attentive, focused, and respectful; he demonstrates this through his demeanor.

Everyone contributes to a cheerful and relaxed training atmosphere through their behavior!

In general, talking should be kept to a minimum throughout the entire class so as not to disturb the concentration of others. Any necessary discussions should be kept quiet, to the point, and brief.

The aikidoka does not discuss possible variations of a technique but performs the technique exactly as the instructor demonstrated it. The aikidoka saves any discussions for after the training session.

At the end of the practice session, just as at the beginning, there is another period of concentration in seiza. After a final bow to the instructor and a “Thank you!” or “arigato gozaimashita,” the aikidoka also thanks his or her last partner, on behalf of all the other training partners.

All bows are performed calmly and mindfully. When entering and leaving the mat, the bow lasts a little longer as the practitioner breathes in and out consciously. The aikidoka shows respect for the place, his fellow practitioners, and the teachings he encounters here.

In our dojos, “DU” is the standard form of address.
We all address each other by first name, regardless of our respective ranks.
Instructors are generally addressed as “Sensei.”

It is always beneficial to follow the example set by the sempai; they are familiar with reigi and, like the teacher, are available to answer questions.