KEEP IT CLEAN...

 By Phillip Starr

There's an old saying regarding the training areas or facilities wherein a given martial art is regularly practiced:

“The cleanliness of a training hall (or area) reflects the quality of instruction and practice that occurs therein.”

And I have found this simple saying to be true 100% of the time.

Of course, neatness and tidiness are equally important. I have seen countless training halls wherein various parts of practice uniforms (often belonging to children), coats, caps, slippers and shoes, and even school books had been carelessly tossed up against the wall or onto the seats that were provided for visitors. I cured that problem many years ago; after each class, I'd collect all discarded and forgotten items and put them in a box that I kept in my office. Then at the end of the week, I'd donate the whole lot to Goodwill. Students who had left parts of their uniforms had to purchase new ones.

The same is true of weapons. In a traditional (Japanese) dojo, leaving a weapon laying on the floor is akin to heresy! All weapons are kept on racks of different types. Long weapons such as staffs, are NEVER leaned against a wall (the end result can be warping of the weapon). To leave a weapon – a TOOL of one's training – on the floor or on a nearby chair is to show lack of respect for it....which translates as lack of respect for one's own training AND instructor.

Then comes cleanliness. There's simply no excuse for a dirty training hall. The floor must be strictly maintained and cleaned after each class. A traditional dojo features a polished wooden floor and in Japan, students are given small towels that are dipped into a bucket of water, wrung out, and then held in both hands as students line up shoulder-to-shoulder, kneel down, and push forward to clean the strip of floor before them. This is often regarded as a kind of game and EVERYONE, from white to black belts (including instructors), participates. And the floor is mopped clean very quickly. Nowadays, this same technique can be used on linoleum, tile, and even the inter-locking mats that many schools use to cover their floors. If the floor is carpeted, a good vacuum is required.

And then there's dusting, and several other cleaning chores. Every week I would post an announcement for all students; those assigned to dusting, those assigned to pick up discarded item of clothing and other items, and so on...everyone knew what their job was. Every evening. And senior students, as well as myself, were always included.

If the training is conducted outside, the area should be cleaned BEFORE class; things like twigs should be removed. The whole area is to be maintained in the same manner as an indoor facility.

But a dirty training hall...? To me, it's indicative of laziness, irresponsibility, and lack of caring. These aren't qualities we want to see in any martial arts school or teacher. Students like to feel proud of their school. Help them be even prouder by “letting them participate” in keeping it clean, It gives them a sense of responsibility as well as pride. Tell them that THEY’RE responsible for keeping the place clean and neat AT ALL TIMES. Make sure the school is a reflection of high-quality instruction...