Have you ever worked with someone that has stinky feet? Fermenting workout clothes? And worst of all, bad breath?
I have tried from time to time to bring hygiene to the attention of students. I talk about keeping clothing and body clean. But now and then, you get to working with someone who probably doesn't even know that their breath can kill a bad guy at ten paces. What do you do in such a case?
By the way, my own idea for "proper" technique to keep the mouth and breath clean includes daily:
* Flossing in-between teeth - especially underneath the gum line
* Scraping of the tongue (believe it or not, a major source of halitosis)
* Proper brushing of teeth and gums
* Finish with an ADA-approved mouthwash (like Listerine)
My former Aki teacher in Kansas had a dojo rule for all to wash their hands. both before and after practice.
Now here's the question: How does one tactfully request/require someome to wash their hands after using the lavatory, and before joining practice again? Let's say I have good evidence this habit is common for a student, for example.
In Moving Zen the author spoke of this problem at the Shotokan.
I believe the senior students picked up the offending foreigner and threw them out the window into the mud outside the Dojo, and the window everyone spit out.
If you grapple add to this trimming the nails so you don't slice someone when sweeping them.
Fred
I believe the senior students picked up the offending foreigner and threw them out the window into the mud outside the Dojo, and the window everyone spit out.
It's been quite some time since I read Nicol's book. Moving Zen, but as I recall it did not get to that extreme.
But there were threats by the Japanese to do such things to the gaijin who offended. Nicol, the author, announced to his sensei his intention to leeave the dojo, which astounded the sensei.
Under inquiry, Nicol stated what he heard planned by the other students against the offending the foreigners and that so contradicted the ideals of the dojo that he could not stay there if this happened.
Sensei intervened and expelled the offending foreigners (who had repeatedly been to upgrade their bad hygiene and who had ignored it.)
Murray/student
Last edited by student on Sat Dec 21, 2002 11:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
Just the other day we had a discussion about someone at the dojo that needed to be spoken to regarding personal cleanliness. It was decided that this could be turned into a lesson of the week at the school. Some lessons go beyond kicking and punching. Having this topic posted on the forum made it so much easier to break into the subject with the whole class hoping that the one or two offensive students got the hint. As we looked around the children's formation it was evident that some were not washing their uniform on even an irregular basis. Notes went home to parents in the form of a news letter.
Because of our hurried lifestyle ( and this is no excuse for poor hygiene) many students come to the dojo right from work or get home from work, wolf down a quick bite and are out the door. Some, not all.
Open discussion brought out a couple of issues that I'd like to mention that went beyond stinky feet, bad breath, sharp toe and finger nails and rotting gi's.
There is one hard working,( in and out of the dojo), mechanic type who, although he washed his hands after work and before class, has grease imbedded into his finger prints and when he grabs your lapel or sleeve guess what? More times than not, greasy hand prints which are very difficult to remove are left on our white gi's.
Some guys complained about working with some of the woman who wear makeup. When grappeling or applying choke techniques to these ladies in class the sleeve of their gi or shoulder area will become coated with whatever shade makeup and foundation etc they had on that day. Perfume was also mentioned, that can and does rub off, To some this is offensive because of allergies etc. Not to mention that some of the guys had to explain the sweet smell of perfume and not sweat upon returninng home from a 'karate' class, hmmmm.
Taking up the rear of the discussion ( no pun intended) was something experienced at a seminar last year, There was a student there who appeared to have soiled himself and everytime he bent over or exposed his backside there appeared a mark on his gi pant backside. In discussion, always giving the student benefit of doubt, it was thought that this guy had poor hygiene and toilet skills and his instructor who hopefully noticed this as well should tactfully speeak with him. Perhaps this was a one time thing maybe not but still good reason for regular washing of the gi.
The dojo owner must also meet his/her responsibility to provide a clean training environment. Floors must be washed and disinfected daily if barefoot work is done. This will help reduce the chance of plantar warts, and athletes foot and other fungi found in common training areas that can breed bacteria.
You can not change peoples habits but dojo owners can help start a trend by possibly hanging a sign in bathrooms and locker rooms regarding hygiene, provide hot water and soap in restrooms, provide handy wipes, and perhaps even a can of that pumice stuff to clean greasy hands in the sink area.
Here is a list of some basic dojo hygiene and personal appearance rules found in some dojos.
Hygiene & Personal Appearance
- Dojo cleanliness is every ones responsibility
- If you are sick, stay home rather than infect anyone else.
- Keep toe and fingernails trimmed short
- Wash hands and feet before training
- Cuts and sores must be bandaged
- Headbands are permitted during workouts
- Only patches or markings authorized by the Dojo are allowed on the uniform
- Uniform must be clean & presentable, washed regularly
- Belt must be tied evenly & properly
- Jewelry that can't be removed shall be taped over
Proper care and treatment of the uniform is necessary in order to prevent it from becoming a yellowish, smelly, rotting, testament to infrequent bathing habits.
Proper Care for a Karate Gi
Wash After Every Use - You might think you didn't sweat in your karate gi very much during that cold, winter training session, but you did, and you need to wash the thing to get the bacteria you left behind out of the cotton to prevent it from smelling and rotting. Wash the gi after each time you wear it. You should never wear your karategi two times in a row without washing it.
Wash it quickly - Do not allow your karate gi to stand before being washed. If you allow it to stand over night, it will smell in a way that few detergents can remedy.
Bleach Infrequently - Using chlorine bleach on your cotton uniform will get it clean, all right, but bleach is highly acidic, and it will also damage the material, causing the stitching to come apart. However, when your karate gi needs bleach, then put some into the wash with it.
Pre-soak Your Karate Gi - Don't throw your gi into the washing machine, pour detergent on it, and then start the washer. Follow correct laundry procedures. Start the washer so that it begins to fill with water. Put detergent in immediately, and allow the detergent to dissolve into the water. After the washing machine has nearly completed filling with water, add your karate gi. You should also try to wash it with some other white items such as towels, because washing it alone will reduce the friction cleaning effect of modern day washing machines. Turn off the washing machine and allow your karate gi to soak in the soapy water for at least 20 minutes. Then start the washer again and allow it to begin it's wash cycle.
When I began studying, I received a kind of "dojo etiquette" handout that outlined expectations of student behavior both in and outside of the dojo, and included hygiene and appearance. If people didn't adhere to it, they were approached privately and discreetly.
Sometimes odor can also indicate illness. Halitosis is one of the symptoms of sinus trouble, and certain kinds of foot odor can be symptoms of problems as well (including alcoholism and addiction). I have in the past approached people privately (not karate classmates, but clients with whom I've worked), and although incredibly uncomfortable, it was well worth it. And, when I have approached expressing concern for their well-being first, it removes it from being an issue of fault to a health concern. And, if it is not a health concern, they may take the hint and rectify the behavior.
Gene,
Budo with a healthy dose of racism.
Remember these people had samurai who cut off peoples heads when they didn't bow low enough to test their blades. Budo isn't all respect and honor, power is always abused.
Student,
I just picked it up at a used bookstore and read it again. It's in my car and raining out, but I'm pretty sure someone went out a window. It was only the first floor after all.
Fred
I was looking for the thread on rotator cuffs and I found this. This is really a serious topic and I think it should be revisited regularly. I have seen offenders all the way up to seventh degree. And few students are assertive enough to comment; they just stop coming to class.
