Rules of the Chimo Dojang

Respect

~ Show respect to your dojang. Remove street shoes at the front door.  Always bow to the flags of Korea and Canada when entering or leaving the workout area.

~ Greet the Head Instructor as soon as shoes are off and before any other conversation, with a bow saying “Tae Kwon Sabenmnim” , Taekwon Master”, Taekwon Ma’am”, or “Tae Kwon Sir”

~ Show respect to all instructors and Black Belts by bowing to them upon entering the dojang. Say Sir or Ma’am when addressed by your instructor, Master or by another Black Belt. Proper bowing should be done to show respect.

~ No horse-play (running or wrestling) before, during, or after class. This is a time to focus your mind through meditation, rehearse forms or other techniques or to warm up and stretch.  If you arrive early for class quietly practice or stretch.

~ Inform the Instructor or Master if you are injured or ill before or during class.

~ A positive attitude is expected from all students at all times, no other attitude or behaviour will be tolerated.  Saying “I can’t” or “I won’t” will not be tolerated in the dojang, they are defeatist and disrupt effective training.

~ Students are expected to be loyal and never criticize their instructors, Chimo Taekwondo, Tae Kwon Do, or any of it's functions, unless asked for constructive criticism, all other destructive criticism, including rumours are considered disrespectful and will not be tolerated.

~ The student is expected to adopt a learning attitude and try to learn something from every situation and experience, whether good or bad, this is the key to knowledge.  Students and parents are encouraged to ask questions when a command is not understood or in order to gain insight to their practice.

Always Set A Good Example!! 

~ Behaviour outside of the dojang is expected to be of Taekwondo nature, realizing that the student is an example of their Instructor, dojang, and martial art.

~ A student should not stand with their hands on their hips or arms crossed in front of their chest, this is a sign of disrespect and/or improper attitude.

~ Refrain from idle conversation while practicing. You will make new friends in the club and are encouraged to chat with them on breaks, before and after class.

~ No student is allowed to teach techniques unless given approval in each case/class by the Instructor.

~ Students should always (each class) ask permission to use any equipment that does not belong to them, before using it.

Sparring

~ Do not leave sparring gear and clothing lying around the school.  Put your name on all items.  Wash your gear periodically to prevent it getting smelly.

~ No sparring before or after class unless supervised by an instructor.

~ Safety is very important while training, competing, or whatever the function, and must be applied at all times.

~ Show control in everything you do. This will help to develop a habit of control.  When sparring with lower belts or smaller students than yourself, you are expected to show control in your techniques to ensure your opponent does not get hurt.

Uniforms

~ Always wear a clean dobok (uniform) and keep fingernails and toe nails clean and trimmed. Come to practice with a clean mind and body.  Please note that the dobuk can be washed regularly the belt is never to be washed.

~ Always bring ranking belt to class.

~ No jewelry (watches, chains, rings, etc.) while working out.

~ Uniforms are not costumes or play clothes and are to be worn for Taekwondo functions only!!

~ Students may only wear a clean, short sleeved t-shirt under their dobok, no street clothes or sweats are permitted. Exceptions will be made to allow students to conform with religious or cultural requirements.

~ Your belt is a sign of achievement and respect. Your belt should never be discarded and you should make every effort not let your belt touch the ground.

~ Summer uniform consists of Chimo Taekwondo t-shirt, tucked into dobuk pants and belt.  Dates for summer uniform will be posted.

General

~ Put trash in proper place.  Parents are reminded to place their coffee cups and litter in the appropriate garbage bins.

~ Always respect fellow students by observing the following: Never laugh at or make fun of a fellow student. Never display a bad temper toward a fellow student.

~ No foul language is allowed or tolerated in this school.

~ No candy, chewing gum, food or drinks on the workout area.

~ Taekwondo is for self defense ONLY!!

~ Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gum, foul language, and any form of recreational drugs, or disruptive behavior by students or visitors are not allowed or tolerated in the gym.

~ Students are to maintain their focus on their own training and not become concerned with what everyone else is doing.

~ Students that come in early for class, should stretch out quietly, practice quietly, or go over notes quietly, and not disturb the class that is already in progress.

~ Students and parents should maintain open communications with the Master, let him know how they are getting along, and especially if there is a problem. He is here to help and will make great efforts to assist if and when possible.

~ Confidence is shown with loud replies and loud kihaps (yelling)

~ As in any educational system the Master and his Instructors teach the required material, and the student is expected to learn, practice, remember, and utilize this material. 

~ Master Large alone will assess when each student is ready for their next exam.

Parents

~ Parents are encouraged to observe their children’s training and to encourage attendance at class. 

~ Parents and visitors are asked not to coach or talk to the students while training.  This reduces confusion for the student and reduces already high noise levels. 

~ Parents are asked to encourage only those positive behaviours that will advance the student’s practice and general well being.  Please feel free to discuss your child’s behavior and needs, including those experienced outside the dojang, with Master Large at any time.

~ Parents and adult students are encouraged meet with Master Large should they have any concerns or questions about the training or the operation of the club or suggestions about how to support the club or make improvements.

Tenets of Taekwondo

COURTESY is the behavior that comes from a respectful attitude. Respect is the attitude that stems from humility. Each student must recognize how much there is to learn and that it is necessary to have someone teach the way. It is respect that will enable the student to be open to learning that comes from the instructor and from the deep places in the heart from where spirituality is nourished. This is why I bow to my Instructor; this is why I bow as I enter and leave the dojang; this is why I bow to myself whenever I practice alone before the wall of mirrors in the dojang or in my basement.

INTEGRITY is the completeness one attains from adhering to a code of values, i.e. sincerity, honesty and loyalty towards oneself and others. Wrong doing can lead to a path of personal deceit and destruction and the feeling of guilt is the conscious mind allowing one to see the error of his ways.

PERSEVERANCE is the nectar of sweat that yields the honey of accomplishment. The martial arts are a lifelong venture. This venture can be begun by the timid; but it can only be continued by those who discover perseverance within themselves. This quality can be learned as long as the student simply says "one more try." Perseverance means that one has learned the art of living with adversity while still keeping one’s sights on goals.

SELF-CONTROL, mastery over one’s behavior, is a vital component in the maturing process. So many children have benefited from their experience with martial arts because they have learned self-control. This enables them to direct their energies in creative ways as attaining better grades in school, more respect and acceptance of responsibility from teachers and parents, and develops a circle of friends based on the positive human values of gentleness and caring rather than rowdiness or intimidation.

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT is the will to do one’s best with all one has, against even the most insurmountable odds. It reflects a personal desire to achieve, through setting goals and living with the results, and resetting goals with the values appreciated through failures.

In the final analysis, it is these five qualities of spirit that will keep the martial artist on a lifelong rewarding journey, regardless of the body’s physical limitations. To develop and to cherish these qualities and then to practice them, will enable the martial artist to face any and all challenges.