New Student Information

Fees
The monthly dues are $60. This covers all the classes we offer. Currently class is Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 pm.

Additionally, you are required to join our national organization, the AJJF, the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation. Most of the fee goes to our group insurance policy. Dues are $55 per year for adults in 2003. There is an optional 45 day membership for $6.

Uniforms
Sweat pants and a tee shirt are fine for the first few classes. A judo gi should be purchased if you train regularly. Because we do not have the storage or the volume to buy uniforms, we suggest the following internet stores. An adult gi cost about $40.   United States Judo Association or search eBay

Dojo Etiquette

The following are several basic rules of etiquette on how to conduct oneself in the dojo. Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu is a Japanese martial art and rich with tradition and etiquette, some very practical and some archaic. We try to continue the tradition as best as we can in modern day America

1. The bow: If standing; bend forward at the waist. You should retain eye contact with the person to whom you are bowing. If kneeling, place your hands flat on the floor in front of you so that your hands are touching or overlapping. Touch your forehead to your hands.

2. Sitting seiza: Kneel and sit back on your ankles. Some people allow their feet to overlap so that the toes of their left foot cross over the toes of their right. Whenever sitting in class, sit seiza or with your legs crossed: never sit with your legs outstretched.

3. Entering/exiting the dojo: Face the room and bow as you enter or exit the dojo.

4. Stepping on/off the mat: Always take off your shoes before you step on the mat. Face the center of the mat and bow before you step on or off the mat. Step on with the right foot, step off with the left foot.

5. Start/close of class: Line up, sitting seiza, facing the front of the room. White belts will face the front. More advanced students will sit on either the right or the left depending on rank. Black belts will sit with their backs to the wall. When you hear kiotsuke become quiet and sit at attention. When you hear shomen-ni bow to the front of the class. When you hear sensei-ni bow to the class. For the close of class you will line up the same, but the bows are in reverse order.

6. Working with a partner: Show respect by bowing to your partner both before and after working together.

7. Safety: It is the responsibility of ALL students to maintain a safe environment. When you feel uncomfortable about a technique the safe thing to do is to pass. Inform the instructor whenever you feel that another student is not working safely (see 9 below). Notify sensei (the instructor) before class if you have any mental or physical limitations that may restrict the techniques that are safe for you to receive and/or do to others. If any technique or excercise make you uncomfortable, inform the sensei. It is OK, to not do some things.

8. The tap: This is a very important safety rule. If you are in pain or placed in a dangerous position, tap twice on your partner, yourself or the mat so that your partner is aware that you wish him or her to stop. Use the verbal command, “Mate”, if you cannot tap. This means that the tap should be loud and/or distinctly felt.

9. Injuries and Medical Conditions: While we strive to keep from damaging ourselves or others, accidents to happen. If you injure yourself, STOP where you are and call the instructor over IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT LEAVE THE MAT to attend to injuries without notifying the sensei as to why you are leaving the mat.

All of our black belts are trained and certified in American Red Cross Standard First-Aid and CPR as well as athletic taping and Jujitsu restorative techniques. Please bring any injuries, no matter how minor, to sensei's immediate attention.

Nicks, scrapes, and cuts are our most frequent injuries. If you have a cut or scrape, you must make sure it is completely bandaged before returning to the mat. Any blood must be cleaned up immediately.

Inform the sensei and senior students of any chronic or problematic medical conditions. Some techniques can aggravate some conditions and we want to make sure to avoid them.

10. Joining/leaving classes in progress: In order to join a class in progress stand at the edge of the mat and wait for the instructor to bow you on. When you must leave before class is concluded tell the instructor you wish to bow off before leaving the mat. Whenever you leave the mat (regardless of the reason or expected duration), stand at the edge of the mat and make eye contact with the sensei. Wait for the sensei to bow to you before leaving the mat. If you must use the bathroom or take a break, inform the sensei and bow off the mat.

11. The Art stays on the mat: Much of what we practice routinely with each other will seriously injure the untrained. It is not to be demonstrated or practiced on others outside of the dojo. The first rule of self defense is to avoid situations that require self defense.

12. Other training: Many students have training in other martial arts. This is a good thing and that knowledge will serve you well in this school and for the rest of your life. Shan Shin Kan is a Dan Zan Ryu jujitsu dojo with its own body of knowledge that you are about to start learning. The only way to understand what jujitsu is, is to do it and feel it. This requires you to put your past experience aside and practice what you are shown. After a period of dedicated training you can look back and evaluate the results. The path is long, but the journey is wonderful