Generally speaking, in aikido – but particularly within the FNAL – great importance is attached to reigi.

We, as practising Aikido practitioners, do not regard this etiquette as a mere formality, but as the outward expression of our inner attitude.
However, we do not observe reigi to impress other participants, or even our teacher, but for our own sake.

To ensure that learning and practising aikido as a group is as enjoyable as possible for everyone, please observe the following rules of conduct:

Please only enter the dojo premises wearing flip-flops or, in exceptional circumstances, socks.
The mats must only be walked on barefoot.
To ensure general hygiene, aikidoka usually wear shower slippers when moving outside the mat area. These must be neatly stored at the edge of the mats.

The dojo is a place for sharing!

Under the instructor’s guidance, all the aikido practitioners work together to lay out the mats before the training session and put them away afterwards.

Every aikido practitioner is required to help clean the dojo and the tatami mats.

For reasons of hygiene and out of respect for their training partners, aikido practitioners wear a clean aikido kimono. They also ensure that their hands and feet are impeccably clean.

To avoid injuring other participants, aikidoka ensure that their fingernails and toenails are kept short. To prevent any injury, it is also advisable to remove all jewellery before stepping onto the tatami.

It is essential that aikidoka inform the instructor of any injuries or physical limitations before the start of training, so that the instructor can take these into account during the session.

Aikidoka should arrive at the dojo early enough to get changed at their leisure before the training session begins and to help lay out the tatami mats.
Aikidoka should endeavour not to make being late a habit.

If, in exceptional circumstances, an aikidoka is nevertheless late, they should wait, already dressed in their aikido uniform, at the entrance to the dojo until any meditation or demonstration sessions have finished, before entering the hall in silence.

He waits for the teacher to give him permission, with a nod, to step onto the tatami. The aikidoka sits briefly in seiza (kneeling position) and closes his eyes. After a few breaths, he bows, then joins in the training. If the session is already well underway, he carries out his warm-up exercises on his own at the edge of the tatami, without disturbing the other participants.

To prevent theft, all valuables must be taken with you to the dojo and must not be left in the changing rooms.

Please switch off your mobile phones!

When entering or leaving the tatami, the aikidoka bows towards the shomen.

The shomen is the front of the training hall, where a photograph of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba or a calligraphic work dedicated to aikido is displayed. The bow serves, on the one hand, to show respect and, on the other, to remind the aikidoka to focus exclusively on the study of aikido during the session that is about to begin.

As soon as the teacher enters the tatami, all participants sit in the seiza position, side by side in a row, facing the shomen, and remain silent. If there is insufficient space, an additional row is formed. In principle, the following seating order must be observed: the more experienced pupils (sempai) generally sit on the right-hand side of the row, whilst the less experienced sit on the left.

At the start of the training session, there is a period of concentration. Aikido practitioners then endeavour to refocus their minds on the training ahead and to leave their everyday concerns behind. At a verbal signal from the instructor (‘Rei’), everyone bows together towards the Shomen. Next, all students bow to the instructor whilst saying ‘onegai shimasu’. This is a Japanese polite phrase meaning ‘please!’, which expresses our desire to receive instruction.

When the teacher demonstrates a technique or gives instructions, participants kneel either in seiza (kneeling position) or agura (cross-legged position), preferably at the edge of the mat. At the end of the demonstration, they express their thanks by bowing. Participants then turn to a partner sitting next to them and invite them to practise by bowing.

Aikido practitioners train with their partner at a speed and with an intensity appropriate to their respective levels. If, despite the utmost care, an injury should occur, the instructor must be informed immediately and without delay.

When the teacher brings the practice of a technique to an end, the aikidoka thanks their partner by bowing and saying ‘Thank you very much!’, then goes to sit in the row with the other students.

Wherever possible, the aikidoka should only leave the tatami during breaks or, in an emergency, after consulting the instructor.

Throughout the training session, the aikidoka demonstrates attentiveness, concentration and respect; they show this through their conduct.
Everyone contributes, through their behaviour, to creating a cheerful and relaxed training atmosphere!

As a general rule, verbal exchanges should be kept to an absolute minimum throughout the lesson so as not to disturb the concentration of others. Any exchanges that are absolutely necessary should be discreet, concise and limited to the essentials.

An aikidoka does not discuss possible variations of a technique, but performs it exactly as demonstrated by the instructor. Any discussion is reserved for after the training session.

At the end of the training session, just as at the beginning, there is another moment of concentration whilst sitting in seiza. After a final bow to the instructor and a ‘Thank you very much!’ or ‘arigato gozaimashita’, the aikidoka also thanks their last partner, on behalf of all the other training partners.

All bows are performed calmly and mindfully. When entering and leaving the tatami, the bow lasts a little longer, thanks to a conscious inhalation and exhalation. The aikidoka pays homage to the place, to their fellow practitioners and to the teachings they discover there.

In our dojos, we address one another informally.
We all call each other by our first names, regardless of our rank.
Instructors are generally addressed as ‘Sensei’.

It is always best to follow the example of your sempai; they are familiar with reigi and, just like the teacher, are on hand to answer any questions you may have.