| The Rules of the DOJO | |
In every USA GOJU Dojo there are three rules which apply. The Sensei may, of course, establish many rules so that the Dojo will run properly, but these three apply in all cases: |
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Everyone Works. - in a Goju Dojo you will never see the "elite" standing idly about while the "lesser" belts train. It simply isn't done. It is wrong to give the impression that the higher the rank you achieve the less you have to do when, in fact, the opposite is true. Sensei will often say to the brand-new white belts during the workout, "just do the best you can." The same applies to the brown belts and the black belts too. Everyone, everyone, everyone works. Nothing is Free. - Everything that we teach and practice in the dojo has its price, and it isn't measured in dollars and cents (Beware any dojo where it is!). Aside from the small fee paid just to participate (often covering little more than insurance) you MUST pay the price in effort, attention, discipline, and plain old sweat! You cannot gain this knowledge and experience just by showing up. Nothing, nothing, nothing is free! All Start at the Bottom - If you see a USA Goju practitioner with a black belt on, or even a red Shihan's belt, you can rest assured that he or she started training in this style as a 10th kyu all the way in the back of the class, without regard to any rank achieved in any other style. There are Goju Black Belts who, having achieved Shodan rank or higher in other styles, strapped on a white belt again when they started learning Goju. Nobody just walks in and wears an advanced rank. You cannot start climbing a ladder at the top. All, all, all, start at the bottom! |