The instructors at Tucson Chayon-Ryu have been very pleased by how eager all of our students have been to help out with keeping our new dojang clean and tidy. It’s monsoon season now, and we’ll all have to be extra-careful so as not to track water and mud into our training hall.
The practical reasons for keeping the dojang clean seem very obvious. It would be dangerous to train on a wet and dirty floor. But what are some of the other reasons why students should work at keeping the dojang clean?
“The Importance of Cleaning the Dojang,†an article at kimsookarate.com, written by Anthony Segura, addresses this question:
In traditional martial arts training the Dojang is treated as a revered location. In fact, in many cultures one must first spend several months just cleaning the Dojang before being allowed to train. The reason for this exercise is to teach the student patience as well as provide an appreciation for the school in which they train…
“The Importance of Cleaning the Dojang†is short, but very thoughtful and thorough. Go check it out!