Disrespecting the Dojo

[junglegusset]

I have a bit of a dilemma and I wonder what people on here think I should do. I take my 7 year old son to Aikido lessons at a local Dojo every Friday. The dojo is shared between an Aikido class and a Judo class. Recently a children's gym class has started using the dojo before my sons Aikido class.I suspect they need some extra money to keep the place going.
Immediately oudside of the actual dojo area there is a small seating area, where myself and other parents wait during class. The instructor always leaves the door that seperates the dojo itself from the waiting area open. I would imagine this is possibly standard practice if working with children. The problem is when the gymnastics finish at 6.30 and Aikido starts the two gym instructors and one of the mums stand around talking at the top of their voices about where they are going later, how much they are looking forward to having a drink, who is shagging the teacher at the local school and god know what else. This goes on for half an hour, like it was some sort of social club. It is not a one off it has happened every week since the gym class started three weeks ago. When you start a martial arts session there is always a warm up and part of that is to compose yourself and improve focus, it requires bit of peace and quiet, not a load of honking and blarting. When they left last wek several other parents, without any prompting from me said they found it a bit loud and a bit disrespectful. Do you think I should tell these people politely that they need to keep their voices down? Should I ask the Aikido instructor to do it? I suspect he doesnt want to rock the boat.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Put it to the instructor. I used to assist in a martial arts class, if it's a problem then it's easy enough to deal with, but needs to come from someone in charge rather than a parent methinks.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Just be polite and ask them to lower their voices as the kids are trying to concentrate, simple.
With several heads behind you nodding in agreement they should get the hint, if they don't take the hint hire a hit man (not Thomas "the hitman" Hearns , as he is retired)

 

[fossyant]

This

Love that smiley !

 

[Doseone]

The parents will not understand the bit about disrespecting the dojo. It's something you learn as a novice Aikidoka. They should understand about common courtesy though and the fact that they should move along once their class has finished. If they continue to hang around invite them on to the mat for randori

 

[martint235]

Just be polite and ask them if they could keep it down a touch. I think if the dojo was full of adult black belts preparing then they would be quiet and I don't feel that children learning the arts should be treated with any less respect.

 

[*Dusty*]

I am a qualified Taekwondo instructor and simply insist that any noise be kept to a minimum. People don't tend to argue when an angry (ish) black belt comes storming towards them

Seriously though, explain it could cause someone to become distracted and possibly injure themselves or others and to move the conversation outside or further away, they'll most likely be fine with it

 

[Headgardener]

If these three are desperate to go for a drink, bonk the local teacher et al why do they hang around for half an hour? Seriously the request should come from the instructor perhaps at the sugestion of one of the parents.

 

[junglegusset]

If these three are desperate to go for a drink, bonk the local teacher et al why do they hang around for half an hour? Seriously the request should come from the instructor perhaps at the sugestion of one of the parents.

Yeah but he hasn't challenged them, and I am not sure why.

 

[TVC]

If it's the gym instructors gassing then it's up to your instructor to ask them to respect his class.

 

[Doseone]

I think really as it's his class he should do the challenging. Maybe say to him, look this is a bit of a problem, will you have a quiet word with them or would you like me to do it?

He ought to get the hint then, and if he still doesn't do anything about it, it opens the door for you to do it.

 

[buddha]

You could always get up close, and then "let one rip" so to speak.
They'll probably clear-off then.

 

[PpPete]

I don't think it should come from the instructor... tell the instructor what you plan to do so he is forewarned in case of any "backlash", and then you tell the noisy feckers politely but firmly that there are certain rules around martial arts places (just as there are with gym facilities) and one of them, is if they want to chat after the session, they do it outside.

 

[jonny jeez]

As an old black belt Karateka myself (non practising...these days) I would *INSIST* the sensei takes it up with the users of the area and perhaps places up polite signs to reinforce. This would not be tolerated in a yoga class as it would destroy the atmosphere and ability to focus and concentrate. Martial arts is no different

 

[Dayvo]

I think you should very impolitely tell the chavs to shut TFU; if that fails, deck 'em.