Discipline is simply the consequence of an offense or other infraction of Whole Armor Martial Arts class rules or etiquette.
No one shoots from the hip: Sensei are trained in the correct interpretation of the rules and the appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken when necessary.
Here are some examples of disciplines and their causes:
Push-ups. Most of the discipline in class is push-ups. Goofing off, not following proper etiquette (like bowing, etc.), and minor disobedience will usually result in push-ups. Push-ups will also be given if you leave something at class. We will be glad to hold your item for you, but you will have to do push-ups to retrieve it at 10 push-ups per rank level.
Sitting Out. Students will be asked to sit and watch class if their uniform is dirty or wrinkled, or if their behavior is causing a problem in class, is a distraction to other students, or could potentially be harmful to anyone. If a student appears to be ill or unable to continue training, they will also be asked to sit out.
Suspension. Students will be suspended from training if they use or demonstrate their martial arts skills outside of class or their personal and private practice area without permission from their instructor. If a student is ever in an actual physical encounter, he or she will be suspended from training while a review is made. Any student whose behavior is not sufficiently corrected through push-ups or sitting out will be suspended. Whenever a suspension is issued, the Senior Instructor will work with the student and his or her family to evaluate the circumstance in hopes of returning the student to active training again as quickly as possible.
Expulsion. This is the last step in our disciplinary process and always a last resort. As of this writing, expulsion has only happened once in our history. In that case, a student was a continual distraction during our Bible study, talked with and given other disciplinary measures many times, and finally expelled.
Our goal is to have students experience the amazing benefits of Christian martial arts training, and we will always do everything in our power to help students stay in class. Having said that, there must also be real consequences for the decisions that we make, and sometimes letting a student experience those consequences is the best thing we can do for his or her continued growth.
If you have any questions about our disciplinary process, please ask your instructor.