Preparation for Practice
Preparing for practice has two distinct considerations: the physical cleaning of the dojo and spiritual cleaning of the student.
Dojo Preparation
First, the dojo must be clean and orderly before practice begins. This includes sweaping the mats, wiping them down with clean rags, setting up the kamiza and making sure the surrounding areas are tidy and free of clutter. By making sure the our surroundings are organized and "pure" we set the physical stage for our practice to begin.
As important, because everyone takes part in the cleaning process we begin to eliminate our egos and beliefs that we are above menial tasks and duties. Cleaning the dojo is the responsibiltiy of all students. An important part of this responsbility is making sure you arrive early enough to participate in the dojo preparation, rather than arriving just in time to change and begin class. This shows disrespect to your dojo, teacher, and fellow students.
Once the dojo has been properly prepared for class, students should assume their place in line and sit quietly in seiza until the instructor begins class. Socializing is fine during dojo preparation, as well as after class has ended, however the instructor should not have to wait for students to get in line at the beginning of class. As a rule, it is better to be early to sit in line than to be the last person scrambling for their spot. This quiet time begins next step in preparing for aikido pracitce.
Student Preparation
The second consideration in preparing for practice is to prepare our own mental state and focus. When we bring the day's problems and concerns onto the mat, they tend to interfere with our focus, attention, and study of aikido. For this reason, students are encouraged to free their minds of such thoughts and concerns, at least as much as possible. Once the dojo has been prepared for class students must do the same.
Just before the class begins, the instructor will often take a moment in order for students to clear their minds, relax their bodies, and begin to hone their focus on training. The Japanese term for this time is, mokuso. It is a time to focus ourselves mentally and emotionally in order to give everything we have to our pursuit of the art. This pre-class ritual varies somewhat from dojo to dojo. Some instructors will actually call out, "mokuso!", while others simply sit quietly and the silence fill the air. After a few moments, they will then signal that class is to begin by making their way to the front of class to bow in.
In addition to observing this time before class, it is very common to do the same at the end of each class. By taking a moment after class has wound down, students have an opportunity to reflect on what they have just practiced, as well as consider the words of their instructor, or simply to wind down after the physical exercise of practice. Students should do their best to observe this ritual especially when training at other dojos and seminars.
