Arriving Late and Leaving Early
Modern life
is not easy. Fitting something like aikido into an already busy schedule of
work, family and friends can be a logistical challenge. It sometimes seems
like everything is set up to make having a personal practice difficult. So
from time to time, you may find yourself arriving late or needing to leave
early. On these occasions, please do come and train. The general guideline
is to BLEND. Join the class, and leave the class, in such a way as not to
disturb the flow of what is happening.
Here are some
specifics that will be helpful to that end:
Should you need to
leave early, tell the instructor before class. Often the student will get
so engrossed in class (as it should be) that they forget to keep track of
the time. That's where letting the instructor know comes in handy. Also,
by informing the instructor before class, it keeps the instructor from worrying
if something went wrong that caused you to suddenly leave - like an injury
or an insult.
If you arrive
after class has started, you should get on the mat as quickly as possible
and without disturbing the flow of the class.
If the class
is seated in meditation, sit on the bench and meditate with us. Once we have
bowed in and are warming-up, you may cross the mat quietly.
If you come
out of the dressing room and the class is seated in meditation, you may join
us on the mat as long as you do so in a manner that does not disturb the
class. Do not expect your training partners to move or adjust their seating
positions to accommodate your arrival. Find a spot on the mat where you can
seat yourself without causing others to move. Making a habit of leaving several
spaces open on the mat closest to the dressing rooms shows awareness and helps
maintain harmony.
If the class
is already standing when you come out of the dressing room (doing warm-ups
or training), wait on the side of the mat for an invitation from the instructor
before joining. Then, get on the mat, bow in (clap softly so as not to disturb
the class) and find a training partner.
If there is
instruction going on when you come out of the dressing room, wait on the
side of the mat until the class is up training and the instructor has invited
you to join the class before you step onto the mat. Then, get on the mat,
bow in (clap softly so as not to disturb the class) and find a training partner.
If you arrive
after warm-ups and you wish to warm-up before you join the class, do so in
the dressing room or in the student lounge so that when you step on the mat
you are ready to train.
If you arrive
after meditation, and you wish to mediate before you begin training, do so
in the dressing room or in the student lounge (or in your car before you
come in) so that when you step on the mat you are ready to train.
Remember, your
goal is to join the class as quickly AND as harmoniously as possible.
|