The instructors and the students must endeavour to arrive at the dojo/mats and be ready for practice on time; recognizing that the punctuality of an individual is the primary indication of one’s level of honor and respect for other individuals’ efforts and time; as well as a good practice for the maximization of an individual’s training opportunity.

It is recommended to arrive at the dojo/mats several minutes before the actual Keiko in order to have sufficient time to help prepare/clean the mats, wear the keikogi and perform personal warm-up exercises.

Upon starting of the keiko with an audible call, all students must not delay to take the appropriate seiza (sitting) positions.

Once all are seated, the instructor will face the shomen (front of the mats where the Aikido artifacts are displayed) and perform a short Zazen (sitting meditation, usually marked with a command of “mogasu!”). The students are expected to take opportunity of this short moment to prepare the mind and body for practice by observing silence.

After the short Zazen, the instructor will perform a Zarei (bow) towards the shomen with a command “Shomen ni, rei!”.

Then, the instructor will turn towards the students and the highest-ranking student (should be seated at the front right most end of the line) will give the command “Sensei ni, rei!” to signal the students to perform the Zarei towards the instructor.

After which, the keiko starts with the warm ups.

It is customary for the instructor to first demonstrate the exercise that the students will practice. After the short demonstration, the instructor will signal the start of exercise with a command “hajime!’ or similar commands.

Once the start of an exercise is given (usually involves a partner), the student must not delay to seek a partner in the class. It is customary for lower ranking students to seek out higher ranking students to practice with. The lower ranking students are discouraged from being timid or waiting for someone to approach them for practice.

During each exercise, the students are expected to continually repeat the exercises alternatingly with his/her partner until “ayame!” (stop) order is given by the instructor. The students are encouraged to practice diligently and up to the point of exhaustion. If reasonably tired during the practice, the student may request permission to rest and must step aside to the edges of the mats to give space for others to practice.

Each end of an exercise, the students must immediately return to their seiza positions and be ready to observe the instructor’s demonstration and instructions for the next exercise.

At any point during the practice, when the instructor gives a pause order mid-exercise to explain a certain aspect of that exercise, the students must assume a seiza position while observing the instructor. The students must not stay standing when watching or listening to the instructor giving the instructions, so as to ensure all other students behind can also observe the instructor.

During the practice, the student is expected to keep focus at all times on the lectures and drills. Unless due to an emergency, the student must refrain from engaging conversations or attending matters with individuals or happenings outside the practice area.

During the exercises, when there is an absolute need to leave the mats, the students must approach the instructor for permission before leaving the mats, to ensure the instructor is aware of the whereabouts of his/her students during the practice. Similarly, the students must respectfully catch the instructor’s attention by visual means (raise hand, etc.) and wait to be recognized before entering he mats.

The students are encouraged to perform a rei (bow) towards the shomen whenever exiting or rejoining the mats during practice.

In case the student arrives late (keiko already ongoing), the student must request permission from the instructor to enter the mats. Upon entering the mats, the late student must immediately proceed to warm-up area (usually at the edge of the mats) and perform the necessary warm-up exercises. When the instructor is demonstrating a technique or is giving a lecture, the late student must pause his/her warm-up exercises and assume a seiza position to give attention to the instructor. Warm-up exercises must be resumed only once the instructor is done demonstrating the technique or giving a lecture. When the late student is done with his/her warm-up exercises, the student must request permission from the instructor before joining the practice.

Each keiko must be concluded with cool down exercises.

The keiko is ended with all students settling back to their appropriate seiza positions. Then the instructor will face the shomen, perform a short zazen, perform the zarei to the shomen with “shomen ni, rei!” command, face the students, the most senior student to give the order “sensei ni, rei!” and the class is ended with the zarei between the instructor and the students. 

As with traditional Japanese practice at the end of an educational activity, in observance to Aikido pursuit of character development, it is customary for the students to help out with the cleaning and/or restoration of the mats after every end of Keiko.

Reinforced white or unbleached straw color Japanese practice jacket. This jacket is usually heavier and sturdier similar to the ones used in Judo or other Japanese grappling martial arts; and must not be confused with those extra light fabric used in Karatedo, etc.  Non-Japanese jackets/uppers (such as Chinese Kung-Fu, Taekwondo Shirt, etc.) are not allowed.

Japanese practice pants.

Kyu Grade Obi (belts for non black belt students). Any thick and narrow Japanese martial arts belt, in color according to the students’ rank, is acceptable (thick Judo Obi are recommended). Thin and wide Iado Obi (belt/sash) are not allowed for non-black belt students.

Yudansha Obi (belts for black belt students). Both thick narrow black belts (such as Judo Obi) and thin wide belts (such as used in Iaido/Kenjutsu/Kendo) are acceptable. However, only black colored belts are allowed for the thick narrow sort (white belt is especially discouraged to be worn under the hakama by a Yudansha student, since this practice is usually reserved only for the Doshu or head of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo). For the thin wide sort (such as Iado sash, etc.) any dark colored traditional Japanese pattern is acceptable.

Hakama. Wearing of hakama is both a privilege and requirement for all Yudansha Students. A 1st Kyu female student will be allowed, but not required, to wear a hakama.

The keikogi must be of appropriate fit to the student to allow freedom of movement without posing safety hazards (such as over sized sleeves or pants with oversized openings that could catch and dislocate a finger/toe).

As a general rule, the Aikidogi Jacket sleeve length should not go past the wrist or above the elbow; while the pants length should not be too short as to be unable to cover the knee while kneeling, and should not be too long as to be exposed below the hakama edges when standing straight.

It may be acceptable to wear the keikogi with folded sleeves and pants, especially when new. But the student is expected to tailor the keikogi accordingly once the keikogi has reached full shrinkage after several washes.

To emphasize, tailoring of the keikogi to the appropriate sizes are not only for aesthetics, but most especially for comfort and safety in practice.

Jackets with collar/chest ties are recommended for female students.

Students are allowed to personalize their keikogi without sacrificing the organization’s upheld image of maturity and appropriateness.

As already mentioned in sections above, only white or unbleached straw colored keikogi are allowed. Colored keikogi are discouraged since these are not prescribed Aikidogi.

Avoid buying keikogi with unnecessary markings or stripes on the sleeves or pants. If the student can afford to buy a new keikogi, the student is encouraged to invest on the proper type of uniform, or consult the adviser for guidance.

For the jacket, it is acceptable to print/embroider the student’s name on the left sleeve (either in romanji, kanji, hiragana, or katakana; provided the student has fully researched the meaning of the Japanese characters in observation of appropriate cultural awareness).

For the hakama, only the color black or navy/midnight/indigo/deep dark blue are allowed). Markings such as names on the hakama right cheek or koshita is acceptable according to the traditional Japanese manner, otherwise, the student should consult the adviser for guidance.

Wearing of accessories may be allowed during keiko provided they do not pose a safety hazard when practicing. Accessories with sharp features or cordages that may cause cuts, entanglement, etc., are discouraged.

The instructor may deny practice to a student if the accessories worn are deemed unsafe for practice.

Head wear, especially for use to keep long hair in order, are allowed during practice, provided the bulk is not excessive and does not cause interference or encumbrance during practice.

The Aikidogi is ideally worn directly over the skin with no additional undergarments required (except the basic underwear) to take advantage of the fabric's moisture wicking properties and avoid overheating during practice.

However, if the student choose to wear an additional layer of undergarment (such as undershirts, compression base layers, etc.), the appropriate undergarments should be used to avoid unnecessary bulk or heat build-up that may cause discomfort and hamper the student's movements during practice.

Skin-tight compression shirt/pants/suit is recommended. Otherwise, body-fit t-shirt or tank tops are acceptable. An extra layer of short pants may be acceptable provided the additional bulk is kept at the minimum.

The use of shirts with collar and/or buttons under the Aikidogi Jacket is highly discouraged. The wearing of an additional long pants (joggers, denim, pyjama, etc.) is absolutely prohibited.

The wear of colored undershirt should be avoided if possible. Otherwise, whenever an undershirt is worn under the keikogi jacket, the undershirt must be tucked inside the keikogi pants.

Considering Aikido practice is a social exercise involving close body contact with fellow students, each individual is expected to observe proper hygiene when practicing.

The students are encouraged to show up in practice clean and hygienic (washed, odorless, nails cut, etc.). There is no restriction for any students’ head or facial hair length, provided the students are responsible with hair upkeep during practice.

The student is obligated to wear a proper keikogi during ALL KEIKO. The student is allowed to wear any keikogi (not just the free keikogi set awarded by Aikido Iloilo), provided the keikogi requirements of Section 4 is observed. The moment the student is awarded with a free keikogi set, there is no more excuse for the student to come to practice without a proper practice uniform.

The student is obligated to take proper care of the awarded free keikogi. The student is responsible for the safekeeping, upkeep, and wash/wear cycle management of the practice uniform, to ensure its proper availability at every keiko.

Alteration or personalization of the provided free keikogi will be allowed within the scope of Section 4 provisions and subject to Aikido Iloilo Staff concurrence. Any insignia/markings/labels attached to the provided keikogi must not be altered or removed without the express approval from Aikido Iloilo.

If the violating student is a paying aikidoka, his/her mat fee will be refunded at the time of violation during his/her removal from the keiko.

If the violation involves the student under the influence of drug or alcohol, the student will be automatically barred from joining the keiko.

If the violation involves improper wear of the keikogi (as stipulated in Section 4), or violation of Section 5 contracts and obligations, the student will be given the chance to leave, then re-join the keiko after the specific violation is corrected.

The duration of the probationary period is subject to the instructor's discretion.

During probationary period, the student will be allowed to practice, but will be stripped of rank and will practice as a visitor Rokyu (6th kyu or entry level student), and the attendance will not be counted for promotion requirements.

Once the instructor deem the probationary period has been sufficiently served, the student will be informed and will resume attending the keiko as a regular student with his/her current rank before the violation.

Repeat violation (depending on gravity) may result to prolonging of the probationary period that may only end with the student submitting of a formal letter of apology, and possible permanent demotion of rank.