About a week ago, my students and Sensei Gary Omori's Koshinkan Dojo Aikido students got together for a joint dojo cleaning. We use adjacent rooms. On Monday, my class uses his matted room and on Wednesdays my class uses the linoleum tiled room next door.
I sent an email to my students to let them know about the Saturday morning cleaning. Most of my students came out.
I must say that I have excellent students. How do I know this? Because I did not have to tell any of my students what to do. They all simply began to clean with no instruction or supervision. They all just worked together.
I did not have to supervise at all. What did I do? As the Sensei, I thought it important to find the dirtiest job and do it. So I cleaned toilets. But I had plenty of help.
No one complained. No one slacked off. This is how a dojo should be. We all work together. I even have some students who have missed classes for the last few months because of work, but still came out to help clean.
If anyone thinks I am bragging, you have remember that I am bragging that my students can clean well! I always say:
Cleanliness should also apply to your gi and body. Your fingernails and toenails should also be clean and neatly trimmed. Jewelry should not be worn in the dojo.
- Clean the dojo, clean youself.
- Clean the dojo, have a clean mind.
- If your dojo is clean, your home and office should be clean too.
- If you are too good to clean, then you are too good for our dojo.
- The Sensei should lead by example. If he does not help clean the dojo, he is missing his own training.
- If you clean the dojo but do not help clean at home, you should quit Karate.
- They way you are in the dojo should reflect the way you are outside the dojo.
I am very fortunate to have fine students (who also clean very well).
Respectfully,
Charles C. Goodin
